Friends of Alaska CASA

Debby Hudson Wins First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year Award

admin — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 19:00:17 +0000

We are thrilled to announce that Debby Hudson, Friends of Alaska CASA board member, quilt auction organizer, and former Anchorage CASA volunteer, has been selected to receive a 2011 First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year Award. The award is given to “those who engage in unpaid volunteer activities, show remarkable personal commitment to long-term volunteer service, or have made a substantial impact on their community or the state.”

Debby was nominated by Anchorage CASA staff. In part, the nomination reads:

“During her six years of service as a CASA volunteer Debby was assigned to five cases, representing seven children…Debby also was involved with the CASA program’s nonprofit partner, Friends of Alaska CASA … [she] served on the FAC board as secretary and treasurer for six years…. While a member of the FAC board Debby, an avid quilter, conceived and organized a quilt auction as a fundraising event to benefit CASA. For the past fifteen years she has organized this quilt auction, contributing some 500 volunteer hours to the event annually…Over the years the auction has raised $263,000…but Debby didn’t stop at just organizing the auction; she has personally donated 126 quilts that have raised $13,600.”

Read the full nomination

Debby and the other five recipients of this year’s awards will be recognized at a luncheon and ceremony on April 20 in Juneau in conjunction with National Volunteer Appreciation Month.

Congratulations, Debby!

Please welcome new Director for the Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) – Rick Allen!

admin — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:34:32 +0000

We are pleased to welcome Richard (Rick) Allen as the new director of the Office of Public Advocacy (OPA). Rick was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. Rick began his legal career as a public defender on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Lapwai, Idaho. Rick served the tribe under a limited license while in his third year at the University of Idaho College of Law. After graduation he moved to Houston, Texas where he joined a small law office. While in Houston, Rick practiced in the areas of criminal defense, family law and small business law. In 2003, Rick returned home to Alaska and began working as an Assistant District Attorney in the Palmer DA’s office in January 2004. While at the DA’s office, Rick was instrumental in the development of the Palmer mental health therapeutic court.

Rick is married with two young sons. Rick enjoys outdoor activities and sporting events and is an active member of several non-profit organizations. Rick coaches youth sports in his free time.

Rick brings energy, ideas and an enthusiastic commitment to the mission of OPA. We are delighted to have him join the CASA team. Rick’s first day will be April 11.

15th Annual FAC Quilt Auction a Success

Ryan — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 05:37:59 +0000

by Debby Hudson, Quilt Auction Organizer

Our 15^th Annual Silent Quilt Auction was held on November 20, 2010, at our new location, The University Center Mall. There were 179 quilts donated this year by over 94 talented and generous quilters in Alaska and the Lower 48. Sally’s Kitchen, who has entertained the crowd at every one of our 14 previous auctions, once again filled the area with magical sounds and harmony. Miles Allen, Sean Galvin, Casey Hoflich and Ryan McLaughlin of Asteroids, kept the attendees enthralled with their dynamic and lively music, as they have done since 2002.

Congratulations to Carolyn Akland of Cossayuna, New York, the winner of the extraordinarily gorgeous Elegant Logs raffle quilt made and machine quilted by Becky Rudisill and Sharon Berna’. Both Becky and Sharon are 15-year supporters of our annual event and we are grateful for their dedication and generosity to CASA.

Over $26,200 was raised from the auction of quilts, sales of both CASA merchandise and raffle tickets, and cash donations. Our deepest thanks to all that attended the event, all the auction helpers, and the following businesses: Alaska Event Services, Alaska Home Magazine, Dina’s Cozy Cabin Quilts, Doriola’s Restaurant, Great Harvest Bread, Great Originals, Just Sew, Seams Like Home, Spenard Builders Supply, Sylvia’s Quilt Depot, The Quilt Tree, The Quilt Zone, University Center Mall, and Valley Quilters Guild.

Our 16^th annual silent quilt auction will be Saturday, November, 19, 2011, at the University Center Mall, with the deadline for submitting quilts is November 5, 2011. We do accept quilts throughout the year. Please contact Debby Hudson at 337-7990 or DebbyHudson@gci.net for information about this annual event.

Enjoy the slideshow of the beautiful treasures from this year’s auction.

[[Show as slideshow]]

2010 Raffle Quilt Winner, Carolyn Akland of Cossayuna, New York

Ryan — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:04:07 +0000

Generous Alaskans donate $2,475 to FAC through the Pick.Click.Give Program!

Ryan — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:06:11 +0000

Friends of Alaska CASA (FAC) wishes to thank the 49 generous Alaskans who donated a total of $2,475 through the Pick.Click.Give Program! Alaskans made 14,264 donations totaling $927,075 between January 1 and May 31 when the 2010 Pick.Click.Give campaign concluded. These data are nearly double those from last year.

Missed your chance to donate to FAC through the Pick.Click.Give program? Donate now! Remember, contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Thank you for your ongoing support of FAC.

Welcome new CASA programs!

Ryan — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:17:41 +0000

CASA in Alaska is growing. The Office of Public Advocacy is expanding the CASA program in the YK Delta. Located in Bethel, YK Delta CASA is the newest Alaska CASA program. Program planning started in 2009, and the first group of volunteers will be trained in October 2010. Visit the YK Delta CASA web page for more information.

Friends of Alaska CASA, in partnership with the National CASA Association, is supporting the expansion of Tribal CASA programs in Barrow and Fort Yukon. Tribal CASA programs train community volunteers to advocate for children involved in Tribal courts as a result of abuse or neglect.

FAC salutes the establishment of Alaska’s 3 new CASA programs. More CASA programs mean more volunteer advocacy for Alaska’s children.

Calling all volunteers for the Duct Tape Ball

Ryan — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 00:48:24 +0000

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 5, 2011, to be at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown! This is your opportunity to join the tackiest of all events – The Duct Tape Ball! As a charity known for its stick-to-it attitude, we’re sure you’ll want to be a part of Anchorage’s most unique festivities, the 12th Annual Duct Tape Ball Mad Hatter Tea Party – a Royally Tacky Affair. Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice and unlock the door to a “magestic” kingdom!

The Duct Tape Ball is an annual black tie and duct tape gala that benefits three local non-profits each year. A group of wacky, dedicated volunteers coordinate the event, and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the selected charities. Proceeds from the 2011 ball will benefit Friends of Alaska CASA, Eva Foundation and Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center. Throughout the past 11 years, the Duct Tape Ball has raised more than $1,500,000 for charities

FAC Seeks Executive Director

Ryan — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:10:05 +0000

Friends of Alaska CASA (FAC) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the CASA programs in Alaska, including the Alaska CASA program administered by the Office of Public Advocacy and several Tribal CASA programs. CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, are ordinary citizens who undergo special training to prepare them to advocate for abused and neglected children. Our mission is to provide a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one. We fund projects that help:
• Increase the number of CASA volunteers in Alaska
• Expand the program throughout the state
• Ensure volunteer excellence through ongoing training
• Increase the number of Alaska Native CASA volunteers
• Demonstrate a direct benefit to CASA volunteers and the outcomes of the children they serve

The successful candidate must have experience and a proven track record of fund raising and working with a non-profit organization, its board of directors and volunteers. Candidates must demonstrate the skill and ability to formulate and implement successful fundraising and public relations campaigns and support the board of directors. Candidates must have an excellent ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; be able to pass a background check; and have a passion to support FAC’s mission to provide a voice for abused and neglected children.

Closing Date:	January 10, 2011
Location:	Anchorage, AK
Status:	Full time
How to Apply:	To apply, send a cover letter, resume and three professional references to laura@friendsofalaskacasa.org or mail to: Search Committee Friends of Alaska CASA P.O. Box 242484 Anchorage, AK 99524

Signed & Sealed: Foster Care Reform Legislation Signed by Governor

Ryan — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:24:46 +0000

Legislation to improve the chances for foster youth to succeed as adults was signed by Governor Parnell yesterday, June 15. In combination with major reform efforts the Legislature passed in the operating budget, also signed by the Governor, Alaska’s 2,000 foster youth have received a significant boost.

“We should do everything we can to help our youth succeed,” Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage), prime sponsor of House Bill 126, said. “There is a national effort to help our foster youth succeed, and the legislature’s doing a lot to adopt the best nationwide practices we know of.”

In crafting HB 126, Rep. Gara, who grew up in foster care, joined a national effort to allow youth to get on their feet before leaving foster care. The bill enjoyed the support of a strong bi-partisan list of 33 co-sponsors. HB 126 allows foster care to extend to age 21, and reverses the ban on re-entry into foster care for youth who leave early, and find themselves homeless, or otherwise in trouble. National studies show foster youth who are allowed to remain in care achieve greater success than those required to leave early.

Amanda Metivier, former foster youth and founder of Facing Foster Care in Alaska, praised Rep. Gara’s bill. “Foster youth need support as they become young adults,” Metivier said, “and HB 126 allows for youth in care to safely make this transition.” Presently, 30 states allow foster youth to stay in care until 21. National children’s advocates have made it a priority to establish similar provisions in all states.

On a related front, a package of major foster care reforms was approved in the Operating budget, which was approved by Governor Parnell on June 3. The reforms are aimed to ensure Alaska’s foster youth achieve educational and job success in a state where 37% of our foster youth end up homeless and over 30% end up incarcerated.

The reforms contained in the Operating budget include:

Protecting Youth from Mid-term School Transfers. Today, too many foster youth bounce between schools during a school term, as they move between family placements. The budget includes $80,000 to help the state transport youth so they can remain in the same school for the remainder of a school term when they change foster homes.

Mentoring Success. Every child needs an adult to look up to and to lean on. But when foster youth leave care, they often have no responsible adults in their lives, to help them get job skills, continue with school, or find a way to put food in their stomachs. The budget includes $200,000 to provide volunteer mentors to youth aging out of care. The funds will be used for competitive grants to groups that will run mentoring efforts and find matches for youth aging out of foster care. Providing agency help to recruit and train volunteers and coordinate with the Office of Children’s Services (OCS) would leverage thousands of hours of needed help.

College and Vocational Aid. Whether youth go to college or get job training, financial aid shouldn’t depend on where individuals stand in line. The budget includes job training funds, and will increase the number of college scholarships Alaska awards for foster youth from 10 to 20.

Help so More Youth Coming Out of Care Succeed. The Independent Living Program (ILP) is OCS’ effort to assist youth after they leave care with work, school, job training and life skills. The ILP cannot possibly work with only four statewide staff. When our 2,000 youth come out of care, and need guidance on finding work, maintaining housing, continuing education, and leveraging available benefits, there are only four people to help. They say they are completely overwhelmed, and unable to help adequately in individual cases. That leads to failure. Two additional staff will effectively extend educational, work, and life skill guidance to youth coming out of care.

Housing Assistance to Avoid Homelessness. OCS presently offers youth partial rental assistance for about three months. Roughly 100 youth come out of care every year. The budget includes $100,000 for youth facing the prospect of homelessness. These funds allow up to six months of transitional housing help where needed.

Foster Parent Recruitment; Discount Clothing Help. Last year, the Alaska Legislature spent $30,000 to create and broadcast a public service announcement aimed at recruiting Native Alaskan foster parents. This new budget will allow the state to continue this promotion, and allow OCS to continue their efforts to alleviate the severe shortage of foster parents in Alaska, especially Native Alaskan foster parents. The budget also includes $5,000 for mailings to keep families informed of Foster Wear, the discount clothing program launched last year. The mailings will let foster families know as new stores join the effort, and of the discounts provided at the stores. Presently, notice is provided only by e-mail.

Senator Bettye Davis (D-Anchorage), a major proponent of foster care reform efforts, filed similar legislation during the twenty-sixth legislature and worked with Rep. Gara on these efforts. The budget work received bi-partisan support, and would not have passed without the help of many on both sides of the aisle in the Senate and House. Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom (R-Eagle River), provided notable help in moving HB 126 through the legislative process.

For more information, contact Rep. Gara or aide Rose Foley at (907) 269-0106 or at Representative_Les_Gara@legis.state.ak.us

Voice of abused children steps aside

Ryan — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:35:21 +0000

She helped thousands of Alaska children through the roughest of times, when they were taken from parents because of abuse or neglect, and she guided her staff on how to do the same.

Now, after 25 years with the state Office of Public Advocacy, Barb Malchick is retiring. Her last day was Friday.

“She’s by far the single person who’s made the greatest contribution to child protection in the state for the last 20 years,” said Brant McGee, the state’s first public advocate and for years Malchick’s boss. “The only credit I can take is for being smart enough to hire her.”

Malchick started with the agency soon after it began, representing the interests of some of Alaska’s most vulnerable children in court. Toddlers with burns and bruises. Girls and boys molested by the people who were supposed to care for them. Babies neglected while their mothers and fathers drank or scrounged for drugs.

For the last 15 years, Malchick, an attorney, worked as a supervisor, with a smaller caseload but responsibility over other guardians ad litem and attorneys as well as the volunteers known as court appointed special advocates.

Is the system for protecting children better than when she began in 1985?

That thought occurred to her in recent weeks as she packed up her files and mementos. She started to ask herself: Have I just wasted 25 years?

“I used to joke when I first started this job, saying my goal was to put myself out of a job, you know, get rid of abuse and neglect in Alaska,” Malchick said. But “the rates of abuse and neglect are just as bad today as they were 25 years ago.”

What’s changed for the better is how the system responds to those cases, she said.

Laws are much tighter, spelling out what constitutes abuse and neglect, and what the state needs to do about it.

Judges in the early years of her work were reluctant to immerse themselves in the life of a dysfunctional family. Now they talk about cases involving a child in need of aid as being their most important, and are hands-on, she said.Back in 1997, Malchick went to court to get the right to talk publicly about usually secret child protection cases. She didn’t reveal any children’s names, but she gave enough specifics to put a vivid face on the statistics about child abuse. One case involved a little girl who had been repeatedly reported as endangered, but the state didn’t take custody until report number 17, after the 6-year-old was raped.

Malchick’s advocacy on that and other cases prompted then-Gov. Tony Knowles to push reforms through the Legislature.

She was a fierce advocate, but never alienated the other side, McGee said. She was respected. And with her staff, she was a beloved and creative leader, he said.

Public defenders are now making a career of representing parents in civil cases, when in the old days they would have wanted to move to criminal cases, Malchick said. The same with assistant attorneys general, who argue the state’s position.

As to the oft-criticized Office of Children’s Services, Malchick says its staff are the “unsung heroes.” Some of their new strategies — such as assessing whether a child is safe overall — have good potential, she said. But she still wants to see more done early on, before families are broken, and more at the other end, for older teens aging out of foster care.

Malchick, who at 57 just competed in a national hockey tournament and has played on the same softball team since 1982, says she loved her job to the end. But she is ready to let up-and-coming advocates take over.

Almost. She is hanging onto four cases involving teenagers. She’ll keep advocating for them in court, as a volunteer.

She’s been on too many committees to count and intends to see a couple of pet projects through. One involves providing training on the Indian Child Welfare Act. She wants those in the system to understand how poorly Alaska Native families were treated in the past, why they need extra protections, why they may distrust the system.

As her last day was wrapping up, she hadn’t decided what to do about the comfy down-filled chair that sat in her office all those years. Everyone called it the therapy chair. When one of her staff shut the door and plopped down in it, she knew that probably meant case loads were too high and someone needed to vent.

“It was very cushy to sit in, and very hard to get out of,” she said.