1. What made you decide to become a CASA?
I became a CASA because I missed working with children and wanted to fill my time after moving back to Texas from California. I mentioned CASA to a friend who works for Alliance for Children and he encouraged me to check into it. I was very impressed that CASA trained their volunteers, so I applied.
2. What is your professional/volunteer background?
Professionally, I spent many years as a medical office manager and then was a paralegal for a while. Finally, I taught middle school until I retired.
3. What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a CASA?
I would tell potential CASAs to not wait to begin the training. I get so much more out of it than I give! You don’t have to remember every detail from the training, that’s what your supervisor is for so don’t get overwhelmed.
4. What has been the most challenging part of being a CASA?
The most challenging part is “charting” the phone calls, visits, etc. It is not difficult if you keep up with it but sometimes one issue may take three or four phone calls to resolve and they all need to be entered.
5. What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA?
The most rewarding part is when a child trusts you enough to ask you for help with a situation. Getting a “thank you” for helping a sibling is special as well.
6. Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case.
I have not been doing this for very long but there have been special moments with each child. My most special moment was getting a hug for arranging martial arts lessons for this child’s brother. It was so spontaneous that I was deeply touched.
7. Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself or your CASA experience?
My CASA experience has been so fulfilling that I have friends from California that are looking into being CASAs. Also, I have the best, most supportive CASA supervisor around!!!
"Kerry was sworn-in on June 23rd, 2017 and, after an extended road trip to the view Eclipse, she literally hit the ground running. Kerry is already working two cases (for a total of 6 children in care) and travels regularly between west Fort Worth and Dallas for one of her cases. Kerry has visited schools and daycare facilities, hung out at CPS offices and McDonalds, found swim lessons and karate lessons, and she will be taking a road-trip to Waco before a Monitored Return. Kerry’s kids contributed 6 paintings for the CASA on Canvas. Thank You Kerry, for your passion and dedication to the children of Tarrant County, and beyond!" – Child Advocacy Specialist, Sharon Young