1. What made you decide to become a CASA?
Many years ago I was part of an organization in Ohio that raised money for CASA. As a result, I gained respect and passion for the cause. I am thrilled to be at a point in my life where I have the time, life experiences, and mindset to advocate for foster children.
2. What is your professional/ volunteer background?
I find volunteering rewarding. In addition to CASA, I recently began volunteering for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). At NAMI, I give presentations to students and parents on reducing stigma through education on mental health conditions. I spent years volunteering in my children’s various activities. In my past life, I worked for many years in corporate accounting/finance.
3. What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a CASA?
CASA’s work is incredibly rewarding and quite challenging. While training is helpful, much is learned on the job and can be unpredictable. I have worked on three cases, all very different. It is a tough job and requires commitment. Expect to feel varying emotions regularly from delight to frustration to occasional anger. Patience, of which I do not always exhibit, is required as the system is not always efficient. The delight and payback are generally in the time spent with the children. Seeing a child’s eyes light up when you visit and spend time with them is extremely rewarding. It is also fun to get to know the amazing CASA staff and many amazing foster parents.
4. What has been the most challenging part of being a CASA?
The challenges are never ending and require an open mind, a bit of assertiveness, lots of patience, reservation of judgment, and faith that the outcome will result in the best interest of the children. This is much easier said than done.
5. What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA?
The rewards are many and include my own personal growth and development. The biggest reward is the smile on your CASA child’s face and the big hugs during visits. Of course, it was a special reward to see my 4-year old child adopted by his amazing foster family in December.
6. Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case?
In my current case, my 10-year old CASA child was recently placed into her third home in six months by no fault of her own. She is a kind and sweet girl. Her latest transfer was not planned and hastily executed. I was with her throughout much of this two-day process, which included tears, fears, acceptance, and much stoicism on her part. I hope that my presence at this difficult time provided her some sense of security and a constant in her life.
CAS Jennie Parker said, “Kathy has been a tremendous advocate on three cases now. Her first case came with several challenges, including the death of a parent on the case and subsequent issues, but Kathy persevered for the children, nonetheless. Kathy is always timely with her visits and goes above and beyond making several contacts with the families and children each month. Kathy's clear passion for her role at CASA is inspiring and I'm so proud to work with her as her specialist. Kathy teams with everyone on her cases, from caseworkers to the parents, if possible, and she clearly completes each task with the best interest of the children in mind. She always wants better, not only for the children, but for their caretakers. Kathy reaches out to family, when appropriate, finds resources for the children and their caretakers and provides support for everyone along the way. Kathy keeps clear boundaries on her cases but is immersed in her role of advocate at the same time. I could go on and on about all that Kathy brings to her cases, her children, and to me as I get to work with her, but mostly it's important to see how Kathy exemplifies everything CASA hopes to have in an advocate!”