Children’s Advocacy Section MCLE Meeting DuPage Bar Center - … · 2019-04-11 · Children’s...
Transcript of Children’s Advocacy Section MCLE Meeting DuPage Bar Center - … · 2019-04-11 · Children’s...
Children’s Advocacy Section MCLE Meeting
DuPage Bar Center - Classroom 4/12/19
11:45 AM – Noon Welcome/Introductions Missy Kuffel – Section Chair
Noon – 1:30 PM Program – CASA of DuPage County: Who Are We and What Do We Do in Juvenile and Probate Court
Speakers: Kathleen Paravola & Jackie Rankin
Kathleen and Jackie will provide an overview of CASA and their role in juvenile and probate courts in DuPage County. They will discuss the training and specific duties of their advocates, including how they interact with attorneys in these forums
Kathleen Paravola is the Program Administrator with CASA of DuPage County, Inc. She is responsible for the recruitment, training and education of CASA volunteers, as well as managing the program functions and overseeing the Advocate Supervisors in the performance of their duties. Kathie has been with CASA of DuPage County, Inc. since 1999, first serving as a volunteer advocate. She joined the staff as an Advocate Supervisor in 2002 until assuming the Program Administrator position in 2015. Prior to CASA, Kathie practiced employment law litigation as an Associate Attorney with Seyfarth, Shaw, LLP (1987-1996) and a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Law Alternative Resource Group, (1997-1999). Kathie represented management clients before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, and provided legal counseling regarding compliance with state and federal employment laws. Prior to her work as an attorney, Kathie was employed as a paralegal in the corporate law department of Motorola, Inc. Kathie is a graduate of DePaul University (J.D. 1987, summa cum laude), and Eastern Illinois University, (B.S. 1980).
Jackie Rankin is a graduate of Connecticut College (BA 1998) and DePaul University College of Law (JD 2004). Jackie worked briefly at Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (2004) and then at Genson & Gillespie (2005-2015), a white-collar criminal defense firm, where she assisted with federal and state trials, appeals and sentencings, and was part of the team representing notables such as Lawrence Warner, Conrad Black, R. Kelly and Rod Blagojevich. After moving to DuPage County in 2012, she also coordinated the Family Violence Coordinating Council for the 18th Judicial Circuit. In 2015, Jackie joined CASA of DuPage County as an Advocate Supervisor. She is responsible for providing professional support to and supervision of volunteer advocates assigned to monitor cases in the Juvenile Court. Jackie also assisted with the establishment of CASA’s Probate Court program and the supervision of cases in Probate Court.
Next Meeting: May 8th - TBD
DCBA Events: 4/18/19 – Happy Hour at Rock Bottom Brewery in Warrenville
4/30/19 – 2019 Law Day Luncheon
Earn CLE Online!
DCBA OnDemand CLE is Now Powered by IICLE The Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE®) and the DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) are excited to offer a new IICLE®Share collaboration to provide DCBA members a high quality and reliable online learning experience. Members can find the link to The Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) on the DCBA website under “Legal Community”OnDemand CLE Online CLE Catalog
View & Print All CLE Certificates through the DCBA Website:
Manage Profile -> Professional Development (under content & features) and choose the icon to the left of each meeting to print your certificate directly or choose to have them emailed to you to save to your computer (you MUST be logged in to view this feature)
Featuring the 2019 State of the Courthouse AddressHonorable Daniel P. Guerin Chief Judge Eighteenth Judicial Circuit
Judge Daniel P. Guerin is Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit. After graduating from DePaul University College of Law, Judge Guerin worked for thirteen years as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office in the misdemeanor and felony criminal divisions. In March 2003, while working as the Supervisor of the Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Unit of the DuPage County State’s Attorney Office, he was appointed as Associate Judge. In 2010, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge Guerin as Circuit Judge. Since that time, he has served as Presiding Judge of both the Misdemeanor and Felony Divisions.
Judge Guerin is the recipient of many accolades for his professional and community work including the “Felony Assistant of the Year Award” in 1996, the DuPage Family Shelter “Justice System Partner Award” in 2006, and the La Rabida Children’s Hospital “Big Hearts for Young Heroes Award” for his work for victims of child abuse. In addition to his role in the Judiciary of DuPage County, Judge Guerin loves to spend time with his family including his wife and three children. He is an avid reader of history and particularly of American legal and political history. He coaches basketball, soccer, and baseball, and can also be found playing golf on occasion.
Join the celebration of Law Day 2019Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Le Jardin at Cantigny Park in Wheaton
Attorney or Guest Ticket $60New, Public Service or Government Attorneys and Courthouse Staff $50
Purchase tickets before April 24th to save $20
11:15AM - 1:00 PM Plated Lunch, State of the Courthouse,
Pro Bono Awards and Liberty Bell Award
Register online at www.dcba.org or call (630) 653-7779
2019 Law DayLuncheon
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR LAW DAY ACTIVITIESIllinois Legal Answers Online Pro Bono Clinic
April 29, 2019 - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM - Attorney Resource Center - Lunch Served
Grade School Mock TrialMay 3, 2019 - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Courthouse
Call (630) 653-7779 or write to [email protected] to volunteer
CASA of DuPage County:
Who We Are and What We Do in Juvenile and Probate Court
The History of CASA
1974 Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act (CAPTA) required GAL appointment in juvenile and abuse cases
Judge David Soukup conceived of volunteer concept and appointed first CASA in 1977
DuPage County CASA was established in 1993
GAL/CASA Statutory Authority and Differences
705 ILCS 405/2-17: Guardian Ad Litem
705 ILCS 405/2-17.1: Court Appointed Special Advocate
DuPage County CASA is a “Friend of the Court” vs. GAL program
Attorneys representing clients in abuse and neglect cases should be aware of the difference!
The Purpose of Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Court
Juvenile Court is unique
Process begins where other court cases usually end
Focus is on finding a permanent home for the child
Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Court Principles
Juvenile Court is driven by the child’s best interests
Juvenile Court is not intended to be punitive
Criminal conduct is prosecuted in another forum
The Juvenile Court Process
The Petition
Shelter Care or TC Hearing
Adjudicatory Hearing
Dispositional Hearing
Permanency Review/Status Hearings
Termination Hearing
What is a CASA?
Trained volunteers who speak to the children’s best interest in court
CASA is a part of the proceedings, authorized to receive information and work with others involved in the case
CASA is referred to as the eyes and ears of the Court and reports its observations to the Court
Who Can be a CASA?
Ordinary citizens from all walks of life
At least 21 years old
Complete application and interview process
Pass DCFS, local and state/FBI criminal checks
Complete 30+ hours of training
The Role of an Advocate in Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Court
Monthly in-person visits with child(ren) in the placement
Review agency reports, court documents and other relevant records
Communicate with relevant parties, (e.g., foster parents, parents, caseworkers)
Prepare a written report to the Court
Attend court hearings
Information Gathering
Child, foster parents, natural parents, other professionals
Written report to court
Identify current needs of the child
Information is not verified or disproved; source identified
Monitoring
Court order compliance
Services provided/completed
Done in spirit of objectively monitoring, not “policing”
Reporting
Specific format
Reflects information received and observations made
Prepared for Court dates
Provided to parties only by authorized CASA personnel
Attendance Physical presence in court
Case related meetings
Continuing Education Requirements
What a CASA is Not!
A mentor, surrogate parent, babysitter
A service or transportation provider
A cheerleader for anyone other than minor
An Advocate is not :
What is the Benefit of CASA in Juvenile Court?
Assigned to 100% of cases in DPC
Can focus on one case at a time
Provides “common sense” perspective
Often only constant in the case
CASA’s Probate Court Program
Established by Agreement with 18th
Judicial Circuit Court , April 12, 2017
Appointed at Judge’s discretion in select minor guardianship cases
Assist the Court by helping families navigate the court process and resolving conflicts if possible
Specific Duties of the Probate Advocate
Home visits
In person or phone interviews of relevant parties
Review of case filing and documents or other relevant information provided by the parties
Preparation of a written report to the Court and attendance at hearing
Benefits of CASA in Probate Court
Familiarity with underlying issues and problem solving
Adds efficiency to court process
Provide free service to the Court and parties
Every child has a right to a safe, permanent and nurturing home!