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@dcba.org 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!