2009 Alaska CASA/GAL Conference
Note: The 2009 Alaska CASA/GAL
Conference was approved for 12.25 CLE's by the Alaska Bar
Association. Approval of CEUs by the Alaska Board of Social
Work Examiners and the Alaska Board of Professional Counselors is
still pending.
Thanks
for a great conference
The 2009 Alaska CASA/GAL Conference,
Reaching New Heights for Children and Youth, was held
October 23-24 at the Anchorage Millennium Hotel. Many
thanks to all who participated in making this year's conference such
a success!
Over 140 child advocates, social
workers, foster parents and service providers joined us for two days of
informative workshops, networking with colleagues from across
Alaska, and recognition of the enormous contribution CASA
volunteers have made to Alaska's child protection system.
Office of Public Advocacy Director
Rachel Levitt and Friends of Alaska CASA Board President
Laura Haywood welcomed participants. Reverend Dr. Michael J.
Oleksa delivered the opening keynote address on the topic of
Cross Cultural Communication. Dr. Wayne Duehn, of Texas
who is nationally know to CASA, closed Friday with a
presentation on Breaking the Cycle of Abuse. The ever-popular judges panel began the
morning on Saturday with a discussion of judicial expectations of
CASA/GALs and practical tips on how to provide better information to
the court. The conference closed with the youth from Facing Foster Care in Alaska
facilitating their
own session on their experiences in Alaska's foster care system.
One of the many highlights of the conference was
surely the Recognition Luncheon on Saturday. We were honored to host
Michael Piraino, CEO of National CASA, as the keynote speaker
during the Recognition Luncheon. His words helped to re-energizing participants
on their mission as advocates for abused and neglected children.
The following recognition awards were
given out:
Andy Romang,
Peter and Carol Ann Irsfeld, Liska Snyder, and Kathy Swiderski
(Anchorage), Jean Becker (Fairbanks), Sheri Williams
(Juneau), Linda Poage (Kenaitze), and Mariann and Mike
Malone (Valley) for Outstanding Service as CASA
Volunteers.
Other awards given out included:
Kate Tea for her Outstanding
Services as a Guardian ad Litem
Jefty Prather for his
outstanding Service to Facing Foster Care in Alaska Youth
Alaska CASA recognized three
well-deserving individuals:
Cecily Skoog-Moore for her
outstanding GAL supervision of CASAs;
Barb Malchick in recognition
for her over 20 years of unwavering support, heartfelt belief, and
enduring dedication to the Alaska CASA Program; and
Marion Hallum in recognition
of her 17 years of passion and commitment to the Alaska CASA
Program.
Friends of Alaska CASA recognized:
Facing Foster Care in Alaska
and Sallye Werner for Outstanding Service to Friends of
Alaska CASA
Thank you to our wonderful exhibitors:
Friends of Alaska CASA, Southern New Hampshire University
graduate program, Alaska Job Corps, North Star Behavioral Health,
Practical Positive Parenting, Identity Inc, Anchorage
Community Mental Health Services, Catholic Social Services, RurAL
Cap-Parents as Teachers and Thread.
Thank you to the following companies
and individuals who donated items or gave discounts to the
conference: Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, Alaska
Airlines, Anchorage Floral, Summit Spice & Tea Co., Fireside Books,
Peter Glenn of AK, Play it Again Sports, Dianne's Restaurant,
Millenium Alaskan Hotel, Barb Malchick, and Sallye Werner.
And many, many thanks to the
conference planning committee: Anita Alves, Jamey Duhamel, June
Haisten, Linda Janidlo, Barb Malchick, Amanda Metivier, Kym Miller,
Dianne Olsen, LeeAnn Reicks, Stephanie Schulling, Cecily Skoog-Moore,
Lynn Squires-White, Marsha Tandeske, Sallye Werner, Ann Udry, and
Ryan Zinn. You made it all
happen!
Alaska CASA would like to give
special thank you to Marion Hallum for her years of guidance,
passion, and dedication to the planning and facilitation of many of
the CASA/GAL conferences!
