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2008 National
CASA Awards of Excellence
Congratulations to our
2008 Awards of Excellence recipients.
2008 G.F. Bettineski Child Advocate of
the Year
Barbara Himebaugh, Pima County CASA Program, Tucson, AZ
 Barbara Himebaugh is a quiet hero to the families and child
welfare staff who work with her. As the Pima County CASA
Program’s longest-serving volunteer, Barbara has been
appointed to 19 cases and served 39 children in the last 20
years. Her ability to remain focused on the children while
also supporting their parents’ efforts toward reunification
has made many positive outcomes possible. With strength,
diplomacy and conviction, Barbara has successfully
negotiated with potentially volatile family members,
uncovered information that changed the course of placements
and in one case steadfastly served an abused child for 11
years. About that case, the presiding judge wrote:
“I want to thank you for your unwavering commitment and
support of [the child]…. She was blessed to have you as her
CASA…. She received so much more because of you…. I also
have to tell you how grateful I am for the help you provided
in guiding me on her case.”
2008 Kappa Alpha Theta Program Director of the Year
Joni Goodman, 11th Circuit GAL Program, Miami, FL
 Joni Goodman’s leadership has taken Florida’s 11th Circuit
GAL Program from a small, grassroots organization to the
state’s largest and one that is a model whose practices are
emulated across the country. In her 26-year career, Joni has
organized local program directors to create the statewide
Florida GAL network; encouraged the formation of a strong
fundraising arm; and created the innovative GAL
Transitioning Youth Project and Kinship Project, both of
which provide additional support to previously under-served
populations. Her expertise has been recognized by numerous
public and private appointments.
“Joni’s collaborative approach and her collective years of
wisdom combine to make her a respected member of the child
welfare community. But more importantly, her enthusiasm for
change remains undiminished, even after all these years.” ~
Hon. Cindy S. Lederman, Administrative Judge, Juvenile
Division, 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida
2008 National CASA Judge of the Year
Hon. Leslie Kirkland Riddle, Fifth, Columbia, SC
 Judge Leslie Riddle began her involvement with the Richland
County CASA program as a pro-bono attorney 17 years
ago. She has been a strong force in ensuring justice for
children ever since. Judge Riddle expertly balances the
roles of judge and mentor: in her courtroom, she unfailingly
holds all parties to the highest standards; in her chambers,
she warmly offers guidance and support to those working on
behalf of children. Her passion for quality representation
for children is contagious to all who work with her.
“Judge Riddle steadfastly contributes to the advancement of
children’s issues…. Each of her rulings is guided by her
deepest heartfelt convictions that the improvements made for
children and families today will bear a generational impact
on society.” Paige Greene, Executive Director, Richland
County CASA
National CASA Board Member of the Year
Jessie Macdonald, CASA of Cook County, Chicago, IL
 To say that Jessie Macdonald has exceeded everyone’s
expectations of a board member would still be
underestimating her contributions to CASA of Cook County.
When the program was in a difficult financial situation and
in need of an interim executive director, Jessie temporarily
filled the role. Not only did she decline payment for her
time, she leveraged her personal relationship with a local
bank to arrange a line of credit to help ease the cash flow
problems experienced at the time. Jessie continues to be a
an instrumental part of the agency's growth, spearheading
fundraising events, championing diversity efforts and acting
as an ambassador/spokesperson in the community. Jessie
Macdonald is a true leader in every sense and a remarkable
asset to CASA of Cook County.
2008 National CASA Diversity Leadership Award
CASA for Kids, Inc. of Barry and Eaton Counties, Charlotte,
MI
 Through training, education and volunteer recruitment
efforts, the CASA for Kids program ensures that the needs of
individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds are met. One
hallmark of the program’s success is the breadth of its
inclusion efforts. While recruitment rates of non-white
volunteers has been stunning—the population of Eaton County
is 9.7% non-white and CASA volunteers are 24%
non-white—color is not the only lens through which diversity
is viewed. The CASA program provides advocacy for foster
children in seven languages and has two “open” volunteers
who can meet the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender or questioning youth.
“It is impressive to see the number of people from various
cultures coming together for meetings, working together and
teaching each other to build better lives for children of
all cultures who are at risk in our community.” ~ Jemonica
Thomas, Volunteer, Eaton County CASA
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