This month we are spotlighting a CASA staff member - Child Advocacy Specialist Megan Edge.
Why did you decide to come work for CASA? My first job was working as a school social worker. In my capacity at the school, teachers would send me kids who were "at-risk" to talk to. This role meant I often was the person on campus to whom the children ended up disclosing abuse. As a result, I would have to call CPS. I had one particular student that came to me often dealing with severe abuse in her home. CPS was involved, and eventually, when she came to school covered in bruises, they decided to remove her from her mom. That day, we waited together in the school's front office for the CPS worker to come and take her—to where neither I nor she knew. It was so scary waiting for the unknown, knowing I had nothing reassuring to say to her about what would happen because I did not know where she was going. At that moment, I knew I didn’t want to be waiting in the unknown. I wanted to find a way to actively participate in the lives of kids who were removed from their parents. A friend from church suggested I look into working for CASA, and I was so fortunate that they were hiring!
What is your professional and educational background? I have a bachelor's degree in social work from Baylor University and master's degrees in social work and public administration, both from The University of Texas at Arlington. I am a licensed master's social worker. In addition to working previously as a school Social Worker, I worked seasonally at Walt Disney World for eight years, driving the Friendship Boats.
What keeps you coming back? I keep coming back every day because kids in foster care deserve someone who is committed to them. They deserve someone willing to get into the trenches with them and know that every day won’t be easy but that we aren't giving up on them. I am also genuinely so excited to work with my CASA volunteers every day. They are the heartbeat of CASA, and I love getting to work with such an incredible team each day.
What has been the most rewarding part of being on staff at CASA? For me, the most rewarding part of being a staff at CASA is seeing the difference the volunteers are making. When I hear stories from attorneys and caregivers about the impact a CASA volunteer has made, it makes me so proud. The staff at CASA are all working hard to help support those connections. When I hear about the relationships that are being made possible, it is the best feeling. I am currently on a case where a child had an incident report that stated she felt that no one cared about her except her mom and her CASA. While we want her to have more supports and connections that she knows cares about her, I think it is enormous that her CASA could make that big of an impact and is showing her that she is listening and cares about her.
Why do you think it’s important for your local community to support CASA and what they do? I think supporting CASA is crucial because often, foster care is a hidden issue. It's whispered about in communities. There are hundreds of children in Tarrant County waiting for a CASA volunteer—they deserve more than whispers. They deserve to know that they are valued. They are cared about. Being a CASA volunteer may not be suitable for you—but knowing what the volunteers do and why they do it is essential to the story of success. Child abuse and neglect happen when we don’t rally around children and their families, and when we don’t see the needs. Supporting CASA and being a part of the mission of speaking up for children benefits all children across Tarrant County.
Do you want to share some encouraging words to our volunteers? Keep showing up! 2020 and the first half of 2021 have not been easy. But, you are doing a fantastic job, and we are thrilled to have you on the CASA team. Stay connected to CASA through the Facebook group and your specialist. We are here for you. I am so proud that you have chosen such difficult, sometimes heartbreaking work to do as a volunteer. The kids of Tarrant County deserve volunteers as wonderful and committed as you are!