About CASA of the Continental Divide     

     CASA of the Continental Divide was founded to train volunteers as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children who are victims of abuse and neglect. Each year CASA of the Continental Divide recruits and screens volunteer advocates, then provides comprehensive training programs to educate the volunteers about child abuse and neglect. They learn about the roles of the Department of Human Services, the judicial system, and many of the community resources available to children and families involved in these cases. The volunteers continue their training through regular in-services that provide additional information and support.

     The volunteers, or CASAs, appointed by the Court, generally work on one case at a time. They provide factual, unbiased information to the Court about the child's situation, enabling the Court to make more informed decisions in the best interest of the child.

     CASA of the Continental Divide serves Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake and Summit counties in Colorado's 5th judicial district. This includes the towns of Avon, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Dillon, Downieville, Eagle, Edwards, Frisco, Georgetown, Gypsum, Idaho Springs, Keystone, Leadville, Minturn, Silver Plume & a portion of Evergreen.

     The National CASA Association was formed in 1977. There are over 963 programs in the nation; fourteen programs are currently operating in the state of Colorado. CASA of the Continental Divide was accepted for membership in the National CASA Association in August of 1998. 501(c)(3) designation was received from the Internal Revenue Service in 1999.

     The Board of Directors consists of Catherine Cheroutes, board chair, Deborah Webster, vice chair, Maryruth Nivens, secretary and Bryan Stiefvater, treasurer, Anne Marie Chapin, Elizabeth Clark, Nini Koch, Carol Kresge, Maryruth Kelly Nivens and Dianne Pocius. The Board of Advisors consists of Rick Smith, Theresa Schuette and Sandra Menefee. Our offices are in Dillon: P.O. Box 2092, Dillon, CO 80435.

     Executive Director - Kathy Reed, B.S., M.S.W.

     Kathy Reed was hired as Executive Director of CASA of the Continental Divide in August of 2006. Kathy has a B.S. in psychology, an M.S. in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She worked for Eagle County Health and Human Services in Eagle, CO for 15 years. Her most recent responsibilities included recruiting, training and supervising foster parents. She also works at Bristlecone Hospice in Frisco leading Grief and Loss groups. Originally from Kentucky, Kathy has lived in Summit County since 1982 and is the adoptive parent of an 8-year old girl. Kathy has been trained in family mediation, and has 15 years experience volunteering for Junior and Senior High community wide youth groups.

Email us: mtncasa@colorado.net