Pennsylvania CASA Conference
Advocacy Matters: Igniting Hope for the Children We Serve Through Volunteer Advocacy
Awards Dinner
PA CASA's Third Annual Awards Dinner
PA CASA’s pre-conference awards dinner will honor three outstanding individuals at the third annual PA CASA Awards Dinner and guests will have the opportunity to hear from Keri Richmond whose work and commitment to influence policy on child welfare and health has been shaped by her personal journey in the U.S. foster care system. Hosted at the Penn Harris Hotel on Tuesday, April 23 from 6-8 p.m., this special dinner will celebrate and motivate all who advocate on behalf of children in the child welfare system.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Volunteers are the cornerstone of every local CASA program and are vital in advocating for the abused and neglected children in the Commonwealth. This award honors an individual for their commitment to outstanding volunteerism and advocacy. The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes one extraordinary volunteer for their valuable and selfless devotion, dedication, and contribution to improving the lives of child victims of abuse and/or neglect. The person selected will embody the guiding principles (family preservation, collaboration, and diversity, equity, and inclusion) as outlined by National CASA/GAL Association and work to advance the CASA movement in their community.
Both active and former CASA volunteers who have been sworn-in as a CASA volunteer, appointed to the case of an abused and neglected child before dependency courts in Pennsylvania and are in compliance with National CASA/GAL Association standards and Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Act are eligible to be nominated. Prior to review by the selection panel, applications will be screened for compliance with National CASA/GAL Association Standards for Local Programs. If the nomination is made by someone other than current local CASA staff members, PA CASA will confirm eligibility with the local CASA program. Each program is invited to submit only one applicant.
Hero of The Year Award
This award is presented to honor individuals who have furthered the mission of PA CASA and inspired us to become better and to do better on behalf of the children we all serve.
Champion of the Year Award
The Champion of the Year award is presented to honor an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership and has advanced the best interests of the Commonwealth’s children through their support of PA CASA.
This year's awardees include:
Champion of the Year
Justice Kevin M. Dougherty graduated from Temple University and then attended Antioch School of Law in Washington, DC. Following that he started his legal career as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia, and later went into private practice.
In 2001, Dougherty was appointed to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, and he won election to a full 10-year term later that year. Justice Dougherty requested to be assigned to Family Court because he felt that he could influence the lives of our most vulnerable citizens and help mold troubled youth into happy, healthy and productive members of society.
In recognition of his administrative skills and commitment to reforming the juvenile justice system, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court appointed Justice Dougherty to be Administrative Judge of the Philadelphia Family Court in 2005 eventually serving as the longest Administrative Judge in Philadelphia history. In this capacity, Justice Dougherty initiated numerous diversionary programs benefiting the most at-risk and vulnerable children in Philadelphia including the Cross Over Program, the Adolescent Medicine Initiative, and the Expungement Initiative.
In 2014, Justice Dougherty was reassigned as the Administrative Judge of the Trial Division, First Judicial District, as such ran the largest court system in Pennsylvania while serving as Chair of the Administrative Governing Board.
Justice Dougherty was elected to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on November 3rd, 2015. With a passion for issues facing children and families, Justice Dougherty alongside his fellow Justices has taken a keen interest in making the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania a model for the country when it comes to issues such as access to justice, alternative sentencing, transparency within the court system, and most importantly keeping an open dialogue between the various stakeholders within the judicial branch of government. In addition, he proudly represents the Supreme Court on both the Statewide Dependency Court Improvement Program, the Autism and the Courts Initiative, and the new Court Mental Health Initiative.
Hero of the Year
Based in Carlisle, PA., Organic Remedies cultivates, manufactures, and dispenses safe, effective medical marijuana products for certified PA patients. OR is advancing medical marijuana therapies through genetics, collaborative research, and superior patient care. Specially trained pharmacists and patient care consultants deliver a clinical approach for the utilization of medical marijuana that is patient-focused, collaborative, and outcomes-based.
The Company’s 2023 Golf Tournament raised funds through golf registrations and other activities. More than 100 golfers, including business partners and other medical marijuana industry representatives, participated in the golf outing to raise funds for PA CASA. This year’s contribution of $62,250 nearly tripled the amount raised last year.
Volunteer of the Year
Selected by a distinguished panel of judges, the Volunteer of the Year will be announced closer to the Awards Dinner.