An Arizonan gives a special gift to children in foster care - a voice.
Barbara Himebaugh, a Tucson resident, volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). She speaks up for foster children in court making sure that they find safe, permanent homes. For her efforts, Himebaugh received the 2008 National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association’s G.F. Bettineski Child Advocate of the Year award. Himebaugh was honored at a banquet in Washington, D.C. in June & has been congratulated by Governor Napolitano, Chief Justice Ruth V. McGregor of the Arizona Supreme Court, & U.S. Representative Raul M. Grijalva.
Himebaugh was selected from over 60,000 child advocates nationwide. This is the first time a volunteer from Arizona has received this award.
Himebaugh was compelled to volunteer as a child advocate to give abused children a voice in court. She has served 39 children, working with Child Protective Services (CPS) & the court to make sure the children’s needs are being met. Himebaugh worked with one particular child for 11 years and was the one constant person in the child’s life through a variety of CPS caseworkers, foster parents, lawyers, & judges.
When praised for her contributions, Himebaugh simply responds, “I do it for the children. They need us.”
Trish Biddix, Pima County CASA program supervisor, says of Himebaugh, “Barbara is the gift that just keeps giving to children in need. She is Pima County CASA Program’s longest serving volunteer. Our staff takes immense pride in Barbara’s CASA service & her role as a ‘quiet hero’ for 39 children.” The CASA Program has been in Pima County for 26 years, with Himebaugh volunteering for 21 of those years.
The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program recruits & trains community-based volunteers to speak up for the rights of abused & neglected children in court. CASA is the only volunteer program that works within the court system to give children a voice.
For more information about CASA in Arizona visit: azcasa.org.