2003 Recipients: Debbie Johnson and Jeanne Westerkamp
Debbie Johnson
Debbie Johnson is focused, persistent, and compassionate as she advocates on behalf of the best interests of her children.
During this time, Debbie has faced and conquered obstacles most people never even see. When she determined that one of her kids was receiving inappropriate treatment and medication, she sprang into action. Debbie provided detailed information and, with professionalism, strongly advocated with the psychiatrist, therapist, and mental health case manager. Overwhelming opposition did not deter Debbie, who continued to advocate with determination until her child was placed in the right facility, receiving effective treatment and medication.
While fighting this battle, she also took on the cause of a 15-year-old mother-to-be. Tirelessly, Debbie advocated for parenting classes, support services, appropriate placement, and educational services. Through the birth of this child’s child, Debbie was there saying, “You can do it!” This young mother obtained her high school diploma early, and now works part-time, attends college, and is a wonderful mother to her baby. This teen mom said, “Without my CASA, I would have just given up, but she always tells me that I can do anything and now I believe her.”
Debbie is already deeply involved in another difficult, frustrating situation with several young children, a mother with severe mental health problems, and overwhelming obstacles to overcome. Debbie must use her amazing persistence to fight opposition on many fronts and insure that these children receive the safety and stability they need and deserve.
Debbie has been with ProKids for 2 and a half years, and during that time as served 8 children.
Jeanne Westerkamp
Jeanne Westerkamp has been a CASA for five and a half years. During that time, she has had four cases involving seven children – all teenagers. With calm but courageous decision-making, Jeanne has established a good rapport with all of her CASA children, developing exceptional long-term plans for each while actively advocating for their best interests. Her background as a Special Education Teacher has been invaluable in helping these children with their educational issues and emotional needs.
One of Jeanne’s cases has four teenagers. She has been the only cohesive force in the lives of these sisters and brothers since their adoptive mother died. When Jeanne took the case, the children were all in separate placements. But she always kept in mind that these children were a family. Diligently searching for other relatives, she found “Grandma,” who has been a valuable source of information about the children and their needs. Jeanne listened carefully to “Grandma” and was able to incorporate some of “Grandma’s” thinking into her planning for the children and sometimes used it to validate her own perceptions.
One member of this sibling group, a young woman, recently won a Beat The Odds Award from the Children’s Defense Fund. Four and a half years ago, when Jeanne appeared on the scene, this child was often hospitalized for suicide attempts. She had been placed in Day Treatment for longer than any child in the history of the program and residential treatment was recommended as the next step. Jeanne listened carefully, spent a lot of time getting to know the child, went to numerous meetings, asked the appropriate questions, and after careful consideration, came to a different conclusion. The child was carefully transitioned into a regular school setting and will graduate from high school in June. Throughout this process, Jeanne had to establish her credibility with three different magistrates and she worked with innumerable, constantly changing treatment team members. The result: today the child is with a foster family who loves her and she is flourishing. Jeanne never lets her eye leave the prize!
Jeanne has been a CASA for 5 years, a Mentor for over a year, and has served 8 children. She is also a valuable member of the ProKids Family Violence Focus Group.