Our mission is to recruit, train and support a diverse network of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA/Guardian ad Litem)
to represent and advocate for abused and neglected child victims (age 0-18) in North Idaho.
to represent and advocate for abused and neglected child victims (age 0-18) in North Idaho.
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Anissa Brady - Program Director
Anissa moved here with her husband in 2013 and they have made North Idaho their forever home. Anissa began her journey with CASA in western Colorado in 2008 where she began as a volunteer. In her five years with CASA there she also served as Secretary for the Board of Directors, and interim administrative assistant to the E.D., along with managing her volunteer cases. Upon moving here, she immediately reached out to North Idaho CASA and signed up to volunteer. She served as a Peer Mentor in the pilot program and then moved into the position of Advocate Supervisor. She says she loves the supervisor position the most because she can help more kiddos by mentoring volunteers and seeing how each one brings something unique to the difficult work we do. She is the Co-Founder of the Idaho Children's Lighthouse Foundation, established in 2023. Anissa loves to brag on her grandchildren…just ask. [email protected] |
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Kimberly Banta- Advocate Trainer & Recruitment
Kimberly became a CASA Advocate in November 2022 and was honored to join the staff as an Advocate Trainer and Recruiter in June 2024. With a background in hospitality, consulting, and real estate, she is excited to engage with the community to recruit Advocates and raise awareness for our cause. She believes strongly in the mission of CASA and that every child deserves a safe and permanent home. Kimberly is a graduate of Washington State University and is an avid Coug fan. She is married to her husband, Brad, and they have three sons ages 27, 26, and 16. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys traveling, watching sports, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family, including their Shih Tzu, Poe Theodore. [email protected] |
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Kristin Linville Ludwig- Director of Development
Kristin joined the CASA team with over 25-years experience in event planning, fundraising, advertising and marketing. After moving to Coeur d’Alene in 2005, she quickly became involved in local volunteer organizations and local political campaigns, advocating for the good of the community. She worked with the Coeur d’Alene Backpack Program at it’s inception in 2010, and has been the lead volunteer planner on Wine, Women & Shoes for Idaho Youth Ranch since 2012. She is a proud mom of 2 young adult sons. Kristin enjoys being among the trees, spending time with her girlfriends, taking Barre and Pilates classes, and loved coaching soccer for 12 years through Parks and Rec. She is the Co-Founder of the Idaho Children's Lighthouse Foundation and held a seat on the Viking Booster Club Board of Directors for the years her son's attended Coeur d'Alene High School. She was awarded the Rising Star Adult Volunteer Idaho Philanthropy Award in 2020 for her work at Idaho Youth Ranch. Her work at CASA has resulted in the ownership of the building on 4th Street in Midtown Coeur d'Alene and the establishment of the CASA Education and Programs Endowment through the Innovia Foundation. She continues to advocate for the hope and healing of the youth of our community and believes in the good of human kind. [email protected] |
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Jana Long - CASA Supervisor Kootenai County
Jana was born and raised in southeast Idaho. She is a second-generation Vandal who followed her parents and brothers to the University of Idaho, earning her business degree. She has been living in north Idaho since 1998. Jana became a CASA Advocate in 2016 and a Peer Mentor shortly after that. She shares a passion for helping children with her peers and more recently her daughter, who also volunteers for CASA. Her previous work history includes being a paralegal and in tax resolution. Jana is the proud mother of 3 adult daughters. In her spare time, you will find Jana spending time with family and friends, at a sporting event, paddleboarding, hiking, biking or skiing. [email protected] |
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Jessie Sheldon - CASA Supervisor Bonner County
Jessie joined the CASA team in 2018 while she was going through the CASA training program to become an advocate. Jessie comes to CASA with a background as a juvenile probation officer, an adult domestic violence probation officer, a foster parent, a marketing, writing and business professional, and a counselor at a teen inpatient drug rehabilitation center. She earned her BA degree in English from Santa Clara University and especially enjoys the writing part of her job, almost as much as she enjoys working with her wonderful team of advocates who volunteer their time so generously. Jessie has a passion for helping at-risk children and looks for opportunities to make a difference. On a personal note, she loves country living just north of Sandpoint with her family. Jessie is a mother of two children (Ages 17 and 24) and her hobbies include gardening, reading, and travel. [email protected] |
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Stacy Mattis - CASA Supervisor
Stacy is an Idaho native. She and her husband Rick have two adult daughters they have raised here in Coeur d’Alene. Stacy first became a CASA advocate in 2016 and then as a Volunteer Peer Coordinator and now has joined our staff as an Advocate Supervisor. Stacy has a passion for advocacy and working at CASA is a perfect fit. Outside of work, Stacy enjoys camping with friends and family during the summer. [email protected] |
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Kelly Bell - CASA Supervisor Boundary County
Kelly moved to North Idaho in 2008 from Arizona. In 2014, she joined the CASA team as an advocate and has chosen to make a career out of being a voice for children's best interest. Kelly is a University of Iowa graduate, and she has worked in public relations and education. She is extremely proud to be from a law enforcement family and of her son, who is a student at Boise State University. Kelly is a member of Beta Sigma Phi, National Alliance for Law Enforcement Support, and serves on the Boundary County Child Abuse Taskforce along with several other Boundary County organizations. Kelly spends her free time smothering her dog with love, date nights with her hubby, fly fishing with her son and traveling. [email protected] |
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Teri Clem - Office Administrator
Teri is a native of North Idaho. She grew up in Spirit Lake with her 5 sisters and 2 brothers and now lives in CDA with her husband of 25 years. After 30+ years in medical administration, she joined CASA in March of 2021. She strongly believes in the CASA program and feels blessed to be a part of this amazing team, helping to make a difference in the lives of those in our community. She enjoys spending time cultivating her relationship with Jesus, her family, especially her grandkids, (2 of which are adopted), and friends. She loves camping near the river, hiking, swimming, and playing cribbage, cornhole and darts. [email protected] |