CHANGE A CHILD'S STORY - Pima County Superior ...
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SEPTEMBER 2021
CHANGE A
CHILD'S STORY
TM
CASA of Pima County Newsletter
WHAT'S IN
THIS ISSUE
RECOGNIZING YOU
Intro - 1
Our annual Recognition Luncheon is around the corner.
Kudos - 2 We wish we could give every CASA an award. You each
Case Support Meetings - 3 make a tremendous commitment of time, energy, and
love. Please know that it does not go unseen: we see
Support Council News - 4-5
you driving your CASA child to their therapy
Day on the Ropes - 6 appointments every week, or faithfully making the trek
Book Club - 7 to Safford to visit your child in their foster home. We
hear your joy when you have a moment of connection
Training Highlights - 8 or when your child gets one step closer to a permanent
CASA Meet Yourself - 9-10 home, and we are here to listen when you feel let down
In the News - 11 by the system. Thank you to each of you for everything
you do.
CASA Calendar - 12
Directory - 13 Speaking of thanks, we're giving a big Thank You to
Ceci Rivera, who is celebrating her 25th year as a CASA.
She has served an astounding 59 children on 32 cases.
Read her wonderful interview on pages 9-10.
Have you RSVPed to our Day on the Ropes? (page 6) It's
not too late. And if you want to embrace our recent
rainy weather with armchair travel around Scandinavia,
here's some music to kick off the trip. Thank you again.
- The CASA Team
TAKK SKAL DU HA (THANK YOU IN NORWEGIAN) KUDOS Kudos and accolades to Iris Berry, whose case is very taxing, but Iris is doing what CASAs do best: having a great relationship with the child, and consistently advocating for what is best for the child. Iris's dedication has been acknowledged and shared by the child’s Probation Officer and Detention Staff! Kudos to Peter McCaffrey for maintaining frequent visitation that has enabled him to develop a strong relationship with his two CASA children. Peter has been instrumental in coordinating child attractive activities to where the children consistently look forward to their CASA visits. Congratulations to Tabitha Forster and Kelly Godbout in being appointed to their first CASA case. Kudos to Ken Watters for Judge Bibbens’s very detailed and positive review of his CASA report. The Judge emphasized her pleasure with how well developed Ken’s descriptions of his CASA child’s positive traits and progress was, which strengthened Ken’s concerns and recommendations to the court. Wonderful job to Sherrie Gahn, who has been incredible in the first few weeks on her case. The group home started calling Sherrie when her child was escalating, and Sherrie would successfully calm him down. She is also skillfully working with each member of the team. Thank you to Dolores "Bonnie" Lawrie-Higgins for taking the time every day to talk to you CASA child, and for making the trip up to Phoenix now that he's placed in state. Congratulations to Madison Baldwin, Noreen Geyer-Kordosky, and Emily Kinney for their appointments to their first CASA cases. FCRB acknowledged Terri Anderko for her efforts to locate the child. Thank you to Linda Hawke for picking up the CASA supplies from Aviva. Kudos to Tracy Gonzalez and Suzanne Pennington for working together as Co-CASAs and taking a sibling case. Thank you to Ambassador Julie Wesley for doing such a wonderful job representing Pima County CASA. Thank you for sharing your experiences and showing how powerful a relationship with a child can be. Kudos to Maria Brady for her dedication to being there for her CASA child. Great job to Leanne Rogers for her willingness, in her first month on the case, to work creatively with the child, parent, and DCS to come up with solutions to fit the child's needs. Another thank you to Teri Thienhaus for tirelessly being there for your child and making sure your child is safe and heard. 2
GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE?
CASE SUPPORT MEETINGS
LGBTQ+ Youth Case Support with Brit Petersen
Thursday, September 9 - 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Teams video conference - RSVP to bpetersen@sc.pima.gov
Open Discussion Case Support with Jude Clark
Monday, September 13 - 9:30 am to 11:00 am
Teams video conference - RSVP to jclark@sc.pima.gov
Education Case Support with Stephanie Chavez
Tuesday, September 15 - 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Teams video conference - RSVP to schavez@sc.pima.gov
Open Discussion Case Support with Nicole Stockett
Friday, September 17 - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Conference call - RSVP to nstockett@sc.pima.gov
Open Discussion Case Support with Keith Hartsuck
Monday, September 20 - 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Conference call - RSVP to khartsuck@sc.pima.gov
Birth to Five Case Support with Maria Avila
Tuesday, September 21 - 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Teams video conference - RSVP to mavila@sc.pima.gov
Teen Case Support with Nicole Stockett
Friday, September 24 - 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Conference call - RSVP to nstockett@sc.pima.gov
Evening Case Support with Jill LaBrie
Tuesday, September 28 - 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Teams video conference - RSVP to jlabrie@sc.pima.gov
Want to help spread the word about CASA? Sign up to help
Coordinator Stephanie Chavez at the SAVMA Volunteer Fair
on September 16 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Reid Park Zoo. If
you're interested, email schavez@pima.sc.gov.
3
COFFEE
SUPPORT COUNCIL
NEWS
DUTCH BROS: “BUCK FOR KIDS DAY”
The CASA Support Council is excited to announce that they have been selected for
the 3rd year in a row for “Buck for Kids Day” to receive donations from local Dutch
Bros Coffee locations. This is part of their company-wide “Annual Give Back Day.”
For every drink sold on Friday September 10th at the locations below, $1 will be
donated to the CASA Support Council. Tell your friends and family about this wonderful
opportunity to support abused and neglected foster children in our community.
Get your coffee and support the CASA Support Council at these Dutch Bros locations:
2995 S. Kino Parkway, Tucson
1971 W. Valencia Road, Tucson
10105 E. Old Vail Road, Tucson
18800 S. Nogales Hwy, Green Valley
Our sincere appreciation goes to the local owner of these locations, Dannielle Suarez, who
selected the Support Council.
CASA RECOGNITION LUNCHEON: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Registration is now open for the Recognition Luncheon to be held on Thursday,
September 30th at 11:30 am at the Historic Scottish Rite Cathedral, 160 S. Scott Ave.
CASAs should have received an invitation in the mail and an email with more
information. The link to register is: https://pimacountycasa.org/event/recognition-
luncheon/.
The final date to register is September 15th.
Note: Masks will be required for the health and safety of all attendees, except when eating.
MONTHLY KINSHIP GROCERY CARDS
The CASA Support Council continues to provide monthly gift cards for CASA
children placed in kinship placements. If your CASA child is in a kinship
placement, and currently not receiving monthly grocery cards, please email Erin Barr
at erin@pimacountycasa.org. Provide your name, your CASA email, phone number,
mailing address, and number of CASA children in the placement. If you are unaware if your
CASA child’s placement is with kinship, please contact your CASA Program Coordinator. On a
going-forward basis, CASAs may submit the above info for any new kinship placements to
Erin. If your CASA child leaves the kinship placement, please notify Erin.
4
RANCH DAYS
SUPPORT COUNCIL
NEWS
TRIANGLE Y RANCH CAMP: AN AMAZING CAMP EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CASA CHILDREN
The CASA Support Council is extremely grateful to Andy Hockenbrock, Executive Director,
Triangle Y Camp, for providing the opportunity for our CASA kids to attend one week at
Triangle Y’s overnight camp. So many of our kids never had this kind of experience before.
Our CASAs expressed appreciation for all the support the kids received from Andy and his
Staff. Triangle Y allowed CASA kids to have fun, gain new friendships and forever remember
their new experiences. We would like to share some of the feedback we received from CASAs:
"Triangle Y Ranch camp was a big success as far as C. was concerned. Lots of walking
everywhere, physical exercise galore, lots of fun activities, and great camp counselors . I was
similarly impressed with the staff and facilities, and would highly recommend this camp to
other teens."
"It went well. My R. enjoyed the activities, friendships, food and playing. Your
efforts are appreciated."
"M. (called A. at camp) had a wonderful experience. She especially liked the counselors, the
shooting, the horses, the obstacle course and big swing and the activities like face painting
and playing pranks on other cabins. She came back feeling good about herself. One of her
counselors wrote a note about how she came out of her shell during the week. I had picked up
M. from camp and M. read the note over several times. She enjoyed looking at the pictures
and naming all the kids she had met. She would have liked to have been there more than a
week!"
"My child had a fantastic time. He said the best part was making new friends and he was sad
to leave. He said he wants to go back next year and stay the entire summer. We had a CFT
yesterday & placement said he has talked non- stop about it and they’re very grateful that we
were able to give him that experience."
"SHE LOVED IT!! She did not want to leave. She met friends and got phone numbers and
addresses. She told me all the things she got to do like archery, swing on a giant swing, ride a
horse, shoot a 22 rifle, climb a huge tower, pet a goat and so much more. When I picked her
up, I got nothing but compliments saying how wonderful she was and a joy to have at camp no
issues whatsoever. I asked her to rate her experience on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the worst
experience and 10 the absolute best. She rated it at a "gazillion bazillion" LOL!! She told me
and her foster dad she wanted to go back and do it again."
Thanks again to Andy and his amazing staff for making this a wonderful summer experience for
our CASA children!
5
JOIN THE FUN
ROPES COURSE
DAY ON THE ROPES
CASAs + kids ages 13 to 17:
Saturday, Sept 25: 4 - 7 pm
CASAs + kids ages 6 to 12:
Sunday, Sept 26: 1:30 - 4:30 pm
- Activities for the kids are at all levels of
fitness & skill: participation in the high ropes
course is optional
- New 4-H High Ropes Course location in midtown
at the Cooperative Extension Village Farm:
2201 E Roger Rd
- Two waiver forms must be signed by a
parent (not foster parent), or if that is
not possible, by the DCS Specialist
Contact Brit Petersen to RSVP & with any questions:
bpetersen@sc.pima.gov or 520-724-2249
HIG
WATERHARCOTPIVES L SKILL
GROUND GAMITIES AL VELS
ES LE
FOODEE+S SAFETY
TRUST
EEGUDED COURAGE
INCL FUN
6
JOIN THE CLUB
CASA BOOK CLUB
SING, UNBURIED, SING
Jesmyn Ward
Winner of the National Book Award
for Fiction
"A lyrical ghost story of a novel, Sing,
Unburied, Sing follows a fragile, drug-
abusing black woman named Leonie on
a road trip with her two children to bring
the kids’ white father home from prison.
As that seemingly straightforward
journey grows ever more arduous, the
book moves fluidly between the present
and the past, gradually uncovering the
race-related trauma that has shaped this interracial family."
—Time, The 10 Best Fiction Books of the 2010s
"Sing, Unburied, Sing is many things: a road novel, a slender epic
of three generations and the ghosts that haunt them, and a
portrait of what ordinary folk in dire circumstances cleave to as
well as what they — and perhaps we all — are trying to outrun.”
—New York Times Book Review
"Gorgeous ... Always clear-eyed, Ward knows history is a
nightmare. But she insists all the same that we might yet awaken
and sing."
—Chicago Tribune
Two time options via Microsoft Teams
Sunday, October 3 - 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
or
Thursday, October 7 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
RSVP to Brit Petersen at bpetersen@sc.pima.gov
2 training credit hours for the book
+ 1.5 hours for the discussion
Limited copies of the book available in the CASA library
Request a copy from Courtnee at cnoblesse@sc.pima.gov
7
LEARN
TRAINING
HIGHLIGHTS
VIRTUAL CASA LUNCEHON WITH JUDGES
Hear directly from Judge Quigley and Judge Jones and have your non-case related
questions answered. Open to the first 15 RSVPs of CASAs who have not attended a
luncheon; those who RSVP later will be added to the waitlist for November's luncheon.
Monday, September 13 - 12 pm via Microsoft Teams
Click here to register
SEX TRAFFICKING 101
This training will include information about the federal definition of sex trafficking,
details about grooming and sex trafficker behaviors, risks and vulnerabilities of
victims, and what sex trafficking looks like in Arizona. Information about sex buyers
and types of traffickers will be shared. Tools for prevention and providing support
for the victims of sex trafficking and their families will be discussed.
Tuesday, September 28 - 9:30 am to 12 pm via Zoom
Wednesday, September 29 - 5:30 pm to 8 pm via Zoom
Click here to register
EDUCATION RIGHTS WITH THE AZ CENTER FOR DISABILITY LAW
Learn what children and youth need to do well in school. ACDL's staff attorney
Amanda Glass will discuss education rights, special education, IEPs and 504s, and
more.
Wednesday, September 29 - 9:30 am to 11:30 am virtually
Click here to register
CASA PROGRAM NOTE: COVID + MASKS
Just as a reminder, and with the recent uptick in Covid cases, we’re asking CASAs
to wear masks when they’re with their CASA children, even if you’re vaccinated, as
many of our children are not vaccinated. Even if you are both vaccinated, we ask
you to wear masks as studies have shown that vaccinated people can still spread
the Delta variant of Covid. If you are not comfortable with in-person visits at this
time, monthly virtual contact is still approved in lieu of in-person contact.
If your child is eligible for the Covid vaccine and has expressed an interest in
getting vaccinated, please follow up with DCS, as parental consent is required.
Should the parents not provide consent or if they are unavailable to provide
consent, a motion will need to be filed so that the judge can rule on whether the
child can receive the vaccine.
8
CECI RIVERA
CASA MEET
YOURSELF
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS: CECI RIVERA
Maria "Ceci" Rivera has been the CASA for 59 children during her incredible 25 years with Pima
County CASA. Newsletter editor Brit Petersen spoke with Ceci (pictured around the time she
became a CASA) about the highs, the lows, and the wisdom she has to share with all of us.
Happy anniversary, Ceci, and thank you.
Brit Petersen: When and why did you become a CASA?
Ceci Rivera: I remember seeing a commercial on Channel 9, a little
girl sitting in a courtroom. The court room looked really big, and she
looked so small, and she asked, “Will you be my voice?” I thought, I
can’t be a CASA, I don’t know enough. But I called the CASA office
after I saw the commercial a couple of times. Rebecca Manoleas
was my first Coordinator and she taught me a lot of things that I still
use to this day. I remember that first visit with a child – in those days it
was mostly home visits. Sometimes it was really difficult; we didn’t
have cell phones in those days. I remember a time getting to the home and there were bullet
holes in the door. A lot of it was just learning, observing. The first child I had was 5. She’s 31 now.
I have two children of my own and one grandchild – I just love helping children. And I can speak in
Spanish with families – being a CASA just fits. It can be difficult. People get angry, get mad,
children can be crying. The hardest thing can be observing a family visit when a parent doesn’t
show and the kids cry.
Brit: How many cases have you had?
Ceci: I think I’ve had about 60 children (editor's note: and 32 cases!). I’ve run into children over
the years, and they remember me, and I remember them. Kids are great – I wish I could have their
resilience. I usually haven’t stayed involved in their lives after the cases close: I want them to learn
their culture, and their family culture.
Brit: When you get assigned to new children, how do you connect?
Ceci: Just talking to them. Sometimes they don’t want to talk – they’re fed up with what has been
happening. Being consistent. They’ll ask, “Are you going to come back?” And I just tell them,
“Yes, I’ll be here next month.” And that might be the only conversation they’ll have the first time.
But the second, the third time, they might talk more. I had another child who was very reserved,
and he wouldn’t talk. But after a visit he would come up and hug me, or bump into me – it
surprised me. If he wanted to talk, I knew that because he’ll sit really still. But other times he
would pull back, and that was fine. I just listen, or we’ll watch whatever show he’s watching. I just
let him know that we’re all there for him. You just have to get on their level and see what they
like. I have another little girl and we just play Barbies. The kids are all different, they’re all
wonderful, they’ve all been through something they should haven’t been through. They need love.
(continued)
9
25 YEARS
CASA MEET
YOURSELF
Brit: How do you deal with frustrations that may come up during a case?
Ceci: I just remember that it’s not up to me. I give my opinion of how the children are doing – I
just concentrate on the child. I express how the child is doing, and I express what the child’s
wishes are – because it’s important to them. I talk to Jill LaBrie, my Coordinator, when I have
frustrations. I take a step back and ask how we got there. I have two cases right now where I
haven’t gotten any disclosures. My court report is about how the kids are, but that can be hard if
I’m not hearing from DCS. But I just remember what I’m there for, the children – if I base
everything on that, I’m okay. Patience, a lot prayer, a lot of long walks. A bowl of ice cream –
then I’ll do my report. Jill will tell you that I’ve called her crying. But I always remember that it’s
the judges who make the decisions – I’m just an ingredient in the recipe.
Brit: If you were talking to a new CASA, what advice would you offer them?
Ceci: Just remember the child – we’re not here for us, we’re not here to win awards, sometimes
no one will see how hard you work. We’re there for the kids – they’ll tell you their dreams. Be
strong for them. It’s about them and what they need. Their needs are way above ours.
Brit: Is there a memory of your CASA work that has particularly stayed with you?
Ceci: Yes, I had a little child, his mom lost her rights. She wasn’t doing visits. She was young – a
child herself. At court she got upset and said she was going to kill us all. That little boy was the
sweetest little boy. He was an infant when he came in; the mother lost her rights when he was 2.
A single mom who was looking to adopt wanted to meet him. I had the privilege of introducing
them – the case worker couldn’t go. I got to introduce them – it was love at first sight. It was the
sweetest, sweetest thing. I still get emotional remembering that. And when he was going to live
with her for good, the case worker and I did the drop off. He was adopted by her. I received
cards for years from them of him growing up, they moved out of state. Years later I saw the
biological mom in the grocery store. She saw me and came running into my arms and just started
sobbing. She just wanted to know if he was okay. She had grown up and was getting married.
I’ve also had a lot of great, great relationships with the attorneys. Jillian Aja is one of my favorite
people in the world – she has helped me so much to learn and grow. They’ve got to do what
they’ve got to do, and the CASA has to do what the CASA has to do. It’s just about the child.
Teenagers are great to work with. I had a girl who ran away; she would only call me while she
was on the run. She was raped and called me and asked me to pick her up. I took her to get
help. I was her CASA for 13 years. She was part my life for 13 years.
It’s been a good life, it’s been a good experience. I don’t regret one moment, not one tear. If I
could do it all over again I would. I think right now we’ve lost connection with the Department,
with Covid, I know they have a lot to do. Right now I think it’s particularly important for CASAs to
be there for the children.
Brit: You’ve touched so many lives. Thank you for all you’ve done.
10NEWS YOU CAN USE
IN THE NEWS +
ANNIVERSARIES
NY Times: This Conversation Will Change How You
Think About Trauma
On his podcast, Ezra Klein spoke to Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
about trauma and how "the body keeps the score."
AZ Daily Star: Pediatric COVID-19 cases on the rise in
Pima County
The county Health Department has identified 1,235 school-
related cases since July.
NPR: How Rape Affects Memory And The Brain, And
Why More Police Need To Know About This
The way interviews following sexual assault are conducted
can add a secondary trauma to the victim.
Atlantic: How to Help Kids Like School Better
School can be a real bummer when you feel lonely.
AzFamily: Arizona DCS says child abuse reports are
up as kids return to the classroom
DCS is receiving more child abuse reports with the school
year starting.
ANNIVERSARIES
Kathryn Anderson - 7 years Carolyn Mattern - 3 years
Lorna Boon - 7 years Judith Rockey - 3 years
Katherine Herrera - 6 years Anthony Sylvester - 3 years
Margaret Johnson - 6 years Sharon Putnam - 2 years
Gabrielle Morlock - 6 years Maria Brady - 1 year
Denise Karakla - 5 years June Gudeman - 1 year
Barbara Richardson - 5 years Robert Gudeman - 1 year
Pearl Miller - 4 years Peter McCaffrey - 1 year
Melody Simmons - 4 years Darci Reidhead - 1 year
Danial Canavan - 3 years Whitnew Samorano - 1 year
11MMMM
CASA CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 2021 EVENTS
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
LGBTQ+
Labor Day Case Support
10:30am-noon
Peer Coordinator Peer Coordinator
12 13 Lunch with 14 Training 15 Training 16 17 18
Judges 9:30 am-12 pm 9:30 am-12 pm
12 pm
Education
Case Support Case Support
Case Support
12-1 pm 2-4pm
9:30-11 am
Tu Nidito
19 20 21 Listening 22 23 24 25
10 am - 12:30 pm
Day on the
Birth to 5 Teen
Case Support Ropes
Case Support Case Support
ages 13-17
3-4:30 pm 10-11:30 am 3-5 pm
4-7 pm
ACDL
26 27 28 29 30
Education
Sex Trafficking 101
Day on the 9:30-11:30 am
9:30 am-noon Recognition
Ropes Trauma & Evening Sex
Stress Part 1 Luncheon
ages 6-12 Case Support Trafficking 101
9:30 am 5:30-8 pm 11:30 am
1:30-4:30 pm 5-7 pm
FALL CRAFTS
Want to get a jump
on planning activities
for the fall? Check
out this list of fun
fall-themed crafts
for kids.
12LET'S CHAT
DIRECTORY
CASA STAFF
Amy Brandhuber, Program Supervisor: 520-724-2069 - abrandhuber@sc.pima.gov
Maria Chavez, Support Specialist: 520-724-5024 - mchavez@sc.pima.gov
Andrea Gomez, Support Specialist: 520-724-4579 - angomez@sc.pima.gov
Courtnee Noblesse, Support Specialist: 520-724-2060 - cnoblesse@sc.pima.gov
Natasha Sterzinger, Trainer: 520-724-2227 - nsterzinger@sc.pima.gov
Maria Avila, Coordinator: 520-724-4756 - mavila@sc.pima.gov
Stephanie Chavez, Coordinator: 520-724-9241 - schavez@sc.pima.gov
Jude Clark, Coordinator: 520-724-4589 - jclark@sc.pima.gov
Keith Hartsuck, Coordinator: 520-724-4516 - khartsuck@sc.pima.gov
Jill LaBrie, Coordinator: 520-724-9238 - jlabrie@sc.pima.gov
Brittany Petersen, Coordinator: 520-724-2249 - bpetersen@sc.pima.gov
Nicole Stockett, Coordinator: 520-724-9240 - nstockett@sc.pima.gov
CASA SUPPORT COUNCIL
STAFF
Linda Koral, Executive Director: 520-465-4425 - linda@pimacountycasa.org
Crystal George, Treasurer: 520-205-2591 - treasurer@pimacountycasa.org
Katie Hamlin, Project Manager: 520-808-1450 - katie@pimacountycasa.org
Erin Barr, Administrative Specialist: 520-575-5130 - erin@pimacountycasa.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Christa Lasater, Director: christa@pimacountycasa.org
Jon Merritt, Director: jmerritt@pimacountycasa.org
Karlene Nelson, Director: knelson@pimacountycasa.org
Janet Pipes, Director: janet@pimacountycasa.org
Lori Taylor, Director: taylor@pimacountycasa.org
Jan Webster, Director: jwebster@pimacountycasa.org
CASA OF PIMA COUNTY
2225 E Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713
Main Phone: 520-724-2060 - Fax: 520-724-2211
www.CASAofPimaCounty.org 13You can also read
