ALASKA JUDGE HONORED AT

NATIONAL CASA CONFERENCE

Alaska CASA is pleased and proud to announce that Anchorage Children's Court Master William Hitchcock has been named 2009 Judge of the Year by the National CASA Association. The award salutes the commitment and impact of a judge, and was presented at the awards banquet on April 26th during the 28th Annual National CASA Association Conference in Denver.

Master Hitchcock was chosen for his commitment to the Alaska CASA program dating back to its origins in 1987. He has been its most ardent supporter within the Alaska judiciary ever since. He has supported expansion efforts over the years by talking about the benefits of the CASA program to his judicial colleagues statewide. Master Hitchcock has been a regular contributor to the Alaska CASA quarterly newsletter since its publication began in 1993, and he has been a frequent presenter at CASA conferences and in-service training sessions.

Master Hitchcock identifies necessary improvements in the child welfare system in a way that influences everyone to work together to build a better system. And he frequently takes a critical look at the processes used in his own court to ensure they exemplify best practices. In short, if it’s innovative and will improve the court system for children and youth, he’s involved – often leading the way.

Additionally, Master Hitchcock has presided over and sworn in virtually every new CASA volunteer in Anchorage over the past 21 years! Perhaps most important of all, Master Hitchcock is very respectful of CASA volunteers in court, listening carefully to their input and thanking them for their efforts.

Congratulations Master Hitchcock!

Pictured L-R: National CASA CEO Michael Piraino, William Hitchcock

Large Alaska Delegation Attends Conference

Congratulations to D Owens (Juneau), Cherry Galloway (Anchorage) and Robbie Stell (Juneau), the three lucky CASA volunteers who attended the l the 2009 National CASA Association Conference in Denver, CO. Cherry, D and Robbie joined FAC board members Starr Marsett and Laura Haywood, FAC staffer Ryan Zinn, CASA volunteer Sherri Williams, CASA program staffers Marion Hallum and Jamey Duhamel, and FFCA members Amanda Metivier, Kaylee Day, Candace Tucker, Michael Schweitert and Angel Adams. (FFCA members were presenters at the conference; see the FFCA page of this website for more) Former state director Brenda Dickison joined the Alaska group at the awards banquet to congratulate Bill Hitchcock on his achievement.

The National CASA Association conference brings together over 1500 child advocates. It is a wonderful opportunity to receive new information, meet other CASA volunteers, and learn about what's going on in child advocacy around the country. The 2010 conference will be held April 16-19th in Atlanta.