CASA of Cochise County News & Views

Abby Dodge - ADR/CASA Director Lissete Borbon - Program Manager Roxandra Pennington - Support Staff www.casaofarizona.org Phone: 432-7521 Fax: 432-7247

Articles Features A Day at Home...... 3 Coordinator's Comments ...... 2 by the Honorable Terry Bannon, Cochise County Juvenile Judge Dessert Auction - Women's Council of Realtors ...... 9 The Boys Are Okay...... 4 by Mary C Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer Welcome to New Volunteers (Soon!!)...... 13 Bonding Assessments...... 5 CASA of the Month...... 14 by Debra Peterson, Cochise County CASA Volunteer

Tips on How to Help the Judge Get to Know the Players...... 6 Kudos...... 15 by Mary C Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer Case Closures...... 16 Vaccination Time...... 7 by Mary C Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer Anniversaries...... 16

Welcome, Judge Bannon!...... 8 March Calendar...... 17 by Mary C Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer Save the Date!!...... 18 Love in Silence...... 8 Submitted by Mary C Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer Cochise County Council for CASA, Inc ...... 19 Book Review...... 12 by Abby Dodge, Cochise County CASA Program Manager From the Manual A Guide to Dependency Court, Part 2...... 20 CASA Family Album...... 31 Cochise County Newsletter March 2021 CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 2 Coordinator's Comments

model for my children. Although becoming a better person for others is a great motivator, I found that I needed to do something just for me. In early 2020, I had committed to getting in better shape, losing weight, the whole thing… And it was going great. I was running on a regular basis (which I hate), eating better (which I also hate), and feeling amazing. Then one day, when I posted something about running on Facebook, one of my uncles in Texas informed me of a half-marathon in Tucson in February that we should run together. He invited his son (my cousin) and another of my cousins to join us as well, so I decided to sign up with them. I didn’t know at the time how important of a decision this would end up being. This gave me something to focus on that doesn’t benefit anyone else but me. It feels a little selfish to type that, but we all need to do something just for Abby Dodge & Family “me” sometimes. I’m writing this a few days before I do the half- Hey everyone! I’m sure you all remember this time last year when it felt marathon, so right now I’m wondering why I didn’t just commit to like a typical March… and then the schools entered Spring Break, and taking myself out to dinner or getting a pedicure or some other basic everything shut down. Had anyone predicted back then that we would self-care option instead of this torture… But here we are. still be in the midst of a pandemic a year later, I would have laughed in I encourage each of you to find something to do that is just for you disbelief, yet here we are. However, rather than focusing on the and no one else. It can be something simple as taking 15 minutes to negative – I want to focus on positive things that have come from this yourself each day, or it could be something of a much larger pandemic. I’d love to hear from you on some positive things that magnitude. Learn a new skill, develop a new hobby, travel happened to you or a loved one as a result of the pandemic. I’ll start. somewhere exotic… Whatever it is, you deserve it! You all give so The obvious positive thing that has happened is that I’ve gotten to much of yourselves daily with your CASA kids, your families and spend a lot more time with my husband and children. We were able to loved ones, and all the other organizations that you support. I’m sure slow down and appreciate our own company, which has been that’s all a huge part of your identity by now – but don’t forget about wonderful. I’ve also gotten to get some additional things done around the most important part…You! the house (projects, cleaning, etc.). However, all this extra time has also given me a lot of time to reflect on myself. I realized that although I’ve accomplished a lot, most of what I’ve done hasn’t really been for me. It’s been to help my family or others or to be a good example/role CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 3

A Day at Home by the Honorable Terry Bannon, Cochise County Presiding Juvenile Judge Dear CASAs, The snow was beautiful. Huge flakes falling all around, and the earth was so quiet. It was remarkable. So, I watched every Columbo episode that was available on Netflix DVDs. It was remarkable. Despite breaching every crime scene So, I started shoveling. Snow was a lot heavier than I remembered. I investigation protocol, he solved every case. I wondered how he did wondered if global warming had anything to do with the increased it? Maybe it was the trench coat? I wondered if I should get one? I weight of snow? But I couldn’t spend much time on that contemplation semi-looked into it, but concluded it wasn’t a look I could pull off. I just because I was starting to get buried in. Within a couple minutes, the didn’t have his sense of style. temperature under that wool sweater was about 1000 degrees. The rest of me was frozen, but my body core felt like the surface of the When the Columbo DVD’s ran out, I did not lament. There’s always sun. It was a puzzler for sure, but I had to keep going. the next DVD binge and I was looking forward to it. After a couple more minutes of simultaneously sweating and freezing, I continued with my crime busting DVD binge and went from the crime I decided I should take a look at my progress. It was disappointing. scene to the court room a la Perry Mason. After a few episodes, I The new snow seemed to target the areas I shoveled, and they were wondered if he had ever heard of the Rules of Evidence? Didn’t seem all filled in with the fresh stuff. I gave a few more shovels. Then I fell. It so. And it didn’t seem to matter. Ultimately, every defendant withered was epic. Totally YouTube worthy. But I’m no quitter. I resolved to under Perry’s “You know you’re guilty and you know I am going to continue, but first I had to go back inside to cool off, warm up and take prove you are guilty so why don’t you just confess now” stony-eyed some Advil. stare. It was remarkable. I fell asleep on the couch. Eventually, I lost my enthusiasm for the courtroom drama. I was I didn’t go back out. looking forward to my next series. I was just in the middle of my I woke up long after dark and stepped outside. The air was research when - it hit! The snowstorm of 2021! My Internet went down crisp. The world was quiet. and with it my plans for my next binge watch. I sat on the couch for My car was buried. about an hour watching the snow fall trying to visualize what I could I didn’t care. put in my queue when it occurred to me that I had better start shoveling. I thought of the Donner party and got dressed in a hurry. The day had been remarkable. And I was looking forward to tomorrow. I put on a handwoven wool sweater made in Norway before wool got softer. It was super scratchy. Immediately I got blotchy and itchy. But J Bannon it was warm and wearing it seemed like a good idea at the time. Besides, unlike the trench coat, this was my kinda look. I was looking forward to getting out there in the weather and shoveling. CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 4 The Boys Are Okay by Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer I have a network of contacts that I ask for help when I need help or I don't know the end of the story, but I do have closure because the information. I called a former foster mother to see if she might have an boys are safe, and that is enough for me. I love happy endings even opening for one of my CASA kids who is going to need a new if I don't know what they are. As CASAs, our job is to advocate for placement. She doesn’t have any openings, so we chatted about life the best interest of our children. We all do that, and our goal is to do in general. During the conversation, she quietly told me, "The boys our very best to gather information and make recommendations to are okay." I knew exactly what boys she was referring to, and I said, the judge. We are overjoyed when a child in the system finds a "Thanks for letting me know." We moved on to news about her family forever home that we think has a reasonable chance of success. At and parenting classes. the end of the day, if we are unhappy with the verdict, we know we have done all we can do to help our child. We grieve, and then we This foster mother is one of the best I have ever worked with. She had take a new case to begin again to advocate for the best interest of two of my boys. I visited often and got to know her as a friend and a that child. top foster mother. The boys were placed with her to be closer to their parents who were on track to get them back. The case was moved to Tucson. I was no longer eligible to be their CASA when the case left Cochise County. I was dismissed from the case, and I never heard what happened. I never had closure because I never heard from the foster mother after I was no longer part of the case. That was several years ago. I have always wondered what happened. I still do not know the whole story because of the rules about disclosure. I don't know if the parents got their boys back or if they failed to do what they needed to do and the boys were placed with someone else. It might even be possible that they are still with this foster mother. CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 5 Bonding Assessments - Critical Impacts That Can Occur Between Ages 0-2

by Debra Peterson, Cochise County CASA Volunteer

I recently came across an online document developed by a This is an easy read with good illustrations. To download the psychologist intended as a training program for attorneys relative document file, go to: to Bonding Assessments. The document is titled “Bonding Assessments-What Defense Attorneys Should Know.” I was http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/ohrd/toolkits/cfv/16c.pdf prepared to be in for a fairly dry read, however, soon discovered it to be an engaging wealth of good information. The document Or: addresses the life-long consequences of inadequate early bonding https://www.mediafire.com/file/uy4sxrgve69gc86/ as well as the removal of babies from a bonded relationship and Bonding_Assessments-What_Defense_Attorneys_Should_Know.pdf/ placement into an unsupportive environment. file

The imperative is to maintain an environment where a child knows “Adults will keep me safe.” If this is disrupted during the first two years of a child’s life, that insecure attachment can physically cause changes in that child’s brain that will lead to significant, life- long disorders. CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 6 Tips on How to Help the Judge Get to Know the Players in the Case by Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer

The judge spends the day listening to cases. Case after case parades by. It is the satisfaction of knowing that he/she is speaking up responsibility of the CASA to be the “eyes and ears” of the judge. We do this to the best in court, and that the judge cares enough to listen of our ability and share our findings with the judge in our court reports. The format for our to what he/she has to say. report is clear and it provides an accurate accounting of the facts of the case to the judge, plus it includes our recommendations. Sometimes it is helpful to direct the judge’s attention to the placement and remind the judge There are some other factors to be considered. Judge Kelliher that the foster parent/s and their family are present mentioned at our last hearing that he appreciates the in court to show their willingness to be a forever pictures that my CoCASA, Deb Peterson, included in her home for the child. Then summarize what the court report. It is also important to encourage older placement is doing to help this child. If the parent/ children to write to the judge and let him know what parents have done what is needed for reunification they want to happen in the case. One of my girls to occur, it is effective to direct the judge’s attention was thrilled with her grades. She happened to to the parent/s. Then proudly list the completed be coming to court and agreed to show her goals of the case plan. report card to the judge. I asked if the young lady could approach the bench and show When the judge calls on us, it is our primary the judge her grades. Another very mature responsibility to clarify issues and make a final teenage girl made a stirring speech and recommendation about what needs to happen in told the judge she did not want to go back the case. It is also important to focus on appropriate to her dad. real-life moments. Make your child come alive for the judge. Encourage participation by your CASA kid. Your child will then have the CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 7 Vaccination Time by Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer Many of my friends are seniors over 75 years old. Some of them are My friends and Deb came to the rescue with places that were giving CASAs, but more of them are bridge players because that group is shots, and I got on a total of 6 lists, including my doctor’s list. It took a older. month, but my doctor finally got a supply of 500 shots, and I got my appointment. My more intellectual friends did a great deal of research on the positives and negatives of getting our shots as quickly as possible. I I had no issues with my first shot, and now I am waiting for my second hung back in making my decision because I was scared to death. I am shot that is scheduled March 9. I feel confident this time, and I am very healthy, but I had an allergic reaction about 10 years ago and going to do what I need to do if I have any reactions to the shot. I am came close to going into anaphylactic shock. I stewed and fretted and hoping to tough out any pain without resorting to medications because finally forced myself to take action and find out my risk. I made an meds might interfere with the working of the vaccine. I feel pretty appointment with my doctor and discussed my fears with him. He confident about being able to do this because I have a very high pain listened carefully and concluded that I am not considered to be at high threshold. Then when I am fully protected, I will visit my teenagers, risk. I should get the shot, and after the shot, I should wait an extra 15 being very careful to mask up and social distance. I will rejoin my minutes to be sure I wasn’t going to circle of friends, and all of us will wear have a reaction. masks and social distance.

I then contacted my friends who had What have I gained? I now can already been searching for places carefully venture out without that gave shots. Bisbee opened up, counting down 14 days every time I but I missed this window to sign up. I interact with my safe circle. This was very frustrated, so I decided to peace of mind is golden, and I am sign up on the registry. I couldn't planning to go into training to add figure out how to do it, but my years to my life, so I will still be CoCASA Deb helped me navigate soldiering on when life returns to the site. I didn’t drown, but it was not pre-pandemic normal. I will burn my a fun process. It also didn’t produce masks, buy makeup and exchange any results. my sweats for real clothes. CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 8

Welcome, Judge Bannon! The Sounds of Silence by Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Submitted by Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise County Volunteer CASA Volunteer Received online from a friend and worth forwarding...The Sounds of Knowing that Judge Bannon takes an interest in our newsletter Silence makes me even prouder to be a part of it. I am even happier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaKtI4QfhH0 that Judge Bannon is now going to become one of the contributors to our newsletter.

I had the honor of working with Judge Bannon for several years. She is one of the best of the best on the bench. She is hard working and compassionate and takes all the facts into consideration before she renders a judgement.

She officiated at the adoption of one of my teenagers several months ago. She was busy getting everything ready before the ceremony and then sanitized the furniture afterwards. She didn’t have time to talk, and I was speechless at the sight of her adding janitorial duties to her resume. I guess I can honestly say, “She does it all.” CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 9

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Women's Council of Realtors Dessert Auction Instructions

Thank you very much for your donation! Contact Tara We don’t need your secret recipe. A simple 3x5 card that Paterson with questions...520-249-1874 can be displayed near your dessert will be adequate. We do not provide refrigeration and therefore cannot take items This Year’s Auction will be on Facebook Live. Desserts can that may require it. See Approved and Not-Approved Items be dropped off at The Old Door Shop, 5930 S Hwy 92, below. Hereford, AZ starting at 2:00pm till 3:45pm on March 27th. If other arrangements need to be made, please contact us You are welcome to present your dessert as you see fit: before March 26th to make the arrangements. use fancy plates or other decorations to make your dessert more popular! We will need a picture and description of your desserts sent to us no later than March 26th by 4:00 pm, so we can We want to recognize all those who donate desserts. have everything set up for the online auction. You can Please give us a flyer or your business card when you email your descriptions and pictures to the following: register your dessert, so we can display it, or write your [email protected], [email protected] or name and contact information on a 3x5 card in case you [email protected] WIN!! We will announce the names of the dessert donors just after each item is sold. Please label your dessert with the basic ingredients so that persons with allergies are informed. There will be a prize for the three desserts that bring the highest bids. Name it something FUN! (Ideas- Crazy Critters for Chocolate Covered Ants- or Decadent Whimsy, for Professional competes right along with Homemade! homemade divinity). Let’s see who will win!

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Below is the latest State Approved List of items that will not need refrigeration.

Approved Not Approved CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 12 Book Review By Abby Dodge, Cochise County ADR/CASA Director

In the Dream House: A Memoir By Carmen Maria Machado 242 pages (2.5 hours of training credit) I grabbed this book from one of National CASA’s book/film lists. It’s the author’s memoir of her abusive relationship with another woman. I ordered my copy from Amazon but there are a couple in the Cochise County Library district, even in electronic format.

I struggled with this one. Not because of the subject matter, but the writing style. Others may like it, but I had a hard time focusing with all the short chapters with titles beginning with Dream House as… Some of the chapters were only a few short sentences long while some were a couple pages. And I know I said I didn’t struggle because of the subject matter, but that isn’t to say the subject wasn’t difficult to read about. Machado did a wonderful job of describing the psychologically and physically abusive relationship she was in. She is painfully honest and vulnerable throughout this memoir. There are surprisingly few books out there that explore abuse in lesbian relationships (at least high-profile books), but that doesn’t mean that same-sex domestic abuse doesn’t exist. In fact, Machado writes that the LGBTQ community is “in the muck like everyone else.” She predicts, “not only can it happen [abuse within same-sex relationships], it probably will, because the world is full of hurt people who hurt people.” e – but many in the works! They finish academy at the end of February so we will feature them in April since I won t have their photos yet…

CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 13 Welcome to New CASA Volunteers!

Finishing Academy End of February ! CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 14 CASA of the Month Alison Vigil

I am pleased to announce that the CASA of the Month for February 2021 is Alison Vigil! Alison has been with our program since August 2018 and has been working on her first case ever since. Because Alison lives in Douglas, I was excited to assign her to a case with 2 siblings who were from Douglas. However, as many of you have experienced, the youth didn’t stay in Douglas, unfortunately. The girl ended up moving out-of-state for awhile and the boy ended up in Rio Rico. This didn’t slow Alison down at all and she never complained about the distance. Had the girl not returned to Arizona, it wouldn’t have surprised me at all had Alison found a reason to make it out to visit her. Since her assignment to this case, Alison has been a huge support for the children and the team. She has had some creative ideas of how to help, and when they seem a little out-of- the-ordinary, she runs them by me first. Her reports are always timely and very thorough, making our jobs easy! The boy on Alison’s case was adopted last year, but they remain in touch. Alison is working tirelessly to ensure the siblings can maintain a relationship in the future. She’s also continuing to work with the girl on the case to get her into a forever home. On that note – in January, The Alison Express (that’s the name I just gave to her shuttle service) picked the girl up in Benson and brought her to Casa Grande to meet the prospective adoptive family on a Friday so the girl could spend the weekend in Phoenix with them, where they live. That’s already a lot of driving for one day – but then she went back on Sunday to Casa Grande and picked her up to bring her back to Benson. Alison is obviously willing to do whatever she can to help the youth she supports be successful. Thank you, Alison, for everything you do! February 2021 CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 15

Kudos!

Mellyora Crawford FCRB, 1/8/21

The Board supports the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for her efforts to visit the children despite the COVID-19 virus restrictions.

From the CASA Staff:

Karen Fasimpaur Karen is always looking for ways to improve services provided to our youth and has offered to help us adapt a handbook used in another county for local use - more to follow on that, but thank you Karen!

Mary Kay Holcomb Mary Kay is such an incredible emotional support to CASA Staff and other team members - thank you for always being there!

Mary Blanchard A teenager Mary has been working with for 5 years recently went through a devastating disruption. Although I know Mary is heartbroken, she's going to do whatever she can to help this teenager through this and to help find her a forever home. Thank you, Mary, for never giving up! CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 16 Anniversaries Case Closures in March February Heather Carter's two little ones entered a guardianship with their grandparents. LuRue Troyer Since 3/4/2003 - 18 years

Mary Blanchard and Deb Peterson's Mary Kay Holcomb Since 3/2/2007- 14 years oldest teenager aged out of the system, but elected to remain in voluntary foster Krista Ochs care after turning 18. Since 3/6/2013 - 8 years

Karen Fasimpaur Cheryl Tomlinson's newest case closed Since 3/1/2018 - 3 years with reunification and the establishment of temporary custody orders pending an upcoming family court hearing. CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 17

March 2021 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 Tina: Report 2 3 I Want You to 4 5 6 Dentist’s Day due for KC. be Happy Day

7 8 Michelle T: 9 Carol W: 10 11 Oatmeal Nut 12 13 Cheryl T. Report due for Report due for Waffle Day BBR. LM.

14 15 Alison V. 16 Mellyora: 17 Manuela H. 18 19 Let’s Laugh 20 Report due for T Day case.

21 22 International 23 24 Chocolate 25 26 27 Spanish Paella Goof Off Day Covered Raisins Day Day

28 Something on 29 30 Jo Anna C: 31 Bunsen a Stick Day Report due for Burner Day AM.

Calendar created by Lissete Borbon, Program Manager, Cochise County CASA Program CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 18

A P R I L 2 3 , 2 0 2 1

S U P P O R T G R O U P / L U N C H

1 2 - 1 P M S I E R R A V I S T A C O N F E R E N C E R O O M CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 19

Evening: Last Tuesday of Month 6:30 - 8:30pm

Home of LuRue Troyer

2300 Iris Drive Sierra Vista, AZ

Page created by Lissete Borbon, Program Manager, Cochise County CASA Program CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 20 From the Manual

This pamphlet is presented in two parts, this being the second half. The first part appeared in the February issue of the newsletter.

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at begins part second The this point.

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Way to go, Abby!! CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 32 CASA Family Album CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 33 CASA Family Album

More snow for the Dodge Family

...but this is Northern Arizona Snow!!! CASA of Cochise County News and Views March 2021 34 CASA Family Album Animals!! https://www.azcourts.gov/