May is National Social Work Month! We are featuring a licensed social worker and staff member Tabi Conner.
Why did you decide to come work for CASA? I’ve been aware of CASA since I was a kid, and have always loved the idea of working with kids in foster care. I know several people that had CASA advocates and were thankful for their involvement and advocacy. When I learned there was an opening at the same time I was searching for a job, it felt like the perfect opportunity!
What is your professional and educational background? I have a master’s degree in social work, with a focus in community and administrative practice. I’ve previously worked with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, participated in research about services for children with severe emotional disturbances, and interned with United Way to help people access rental assistance programs.
What first caused you to get involved with CASA? I think the mission of CASA is really important. We get to play a role in making sure the most vulnerable people in society have a voice and don’t get left behind. Advocates have the unique role of supporting kids in some of the hardest, scariest moments of their lives. That’s an incredible thing to be a part of.
What keeps you coming back every month in helping CASA? Getting to see small steps of progress in cases, from a child opening up about their experiences to helping connect a child to a family member keeps me motivated. Getting to support advocates as they work to make sure the children on their cases are supported is very rewarding.
What has been the most rewarding part of being on staff at CASA? The most rewarding part has been working with the volunteers on my team. I think the people that volunteer with CASA are some of the most selfless and dedicated individuals. They selflessly give their time and energy week after week to make sure kids are taken care of, making visits, writing reports, and going to court. It’s an honor to get to support them and process what’s happening in their cases.
Please share a special moment with us about your work with CASA volunteers or supporters. A really sweet moment was attending an adoption for two sisters with an advocate. They had been in foster care for several years, so seeing them be adopted was very exciting. Getting to see how excited they were to see their advocate and hear how the advocate had been able to be there for them was so fun.
What would you say to a potential supporter? I would say that this is a worthy cause to invest in. The kids we work with are worth every bit of time, energy, and donation that we can give to them. At CASA, we get to be a steady presence during what are likely the scariest moments for kids, and we get to fight beside them and for them to make sure they’re heard.
Why do you think it’s important for your local community to support CASA and what they do? I think children get looked over often because they don’t have as much power as adults, but what happens to them impacts our communities. Children are raised within communities and go on to have huge impacts. Not only is it important to support children now and help them be set up for success, but it also helps communities flourish for years to come. If we can be part of ending cycles of abuse and neglect now, communities will be safer and more successful.
What is a nugget of wisdom you would offer the community with your knowledge and experience within the foster care system? It’s important to approach those involved in the child welfare system with compassion and an open mind. There’s no one reason that causes abuse and neglect, and there’s not one easy solution. Abuse and neglect happen across every cross-section of society. It’s important to approach each situation with curiosity to learn how we can best support and advocate for each child within their family, culture, and worldview.
How should we support children in foster care? There are so many ways we can support them, from volunteering time, to monetary donations, and providing services. I think a big goal would be to make children in foster care feel as “normal” as possible. We can be part of that by making sure they have a support system, and they have access to things they are accustomed to like clothing, food, and hair care.
Do you want to share some encouraging words to our volunteers? You are rock stars! I’m consistently impressed by your willingness to show up for these kids week after week. You make such a difference and your time, energy, and dedication are so appreciated. Thank you for caring about kids in foster care and doing what you can to help.