ANNUAL REPORT CASA of McLennan County Fiscal Year 23
Letter From Leadership It is a privilege to serve as the Executive Director of CASA McLennan County alongside CASA’s esteemed board of directors. This is a personal, full-circle journey for me. Through both my personal and professional experience, I have gained an appreciation for the founding vision of CASA that every McLennan County child brought into the foster care system by abuse or neglect deserves the chance to thrive in a safe and permanent home. CASA’s founding vision is a powerful one. CASA has made a significant impact in the lives of children and families in McLennan County. This past year was no exception. Our accomplishments in fiscal year 2023 included:
Rolanda Burns Executive Director
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Hiring a Program Director to support the Advocate Supervisors and Advocates Adding a CFE Coordinator to help support staff in advocating to keep children connected with their families Diversity, Equity & Inclusion training for volunteers, staff and board members 43 children were returned to their parents and 49 children were placed with kinship care
In fiscal year 2023, every appropriated /raised dollar resulted in direct service to the children that we serve. I am grateful to our community who volunteered, donated and believed in the work that CASA does. We are fortunate to be a part of such a generous and caring community that continues to support the work we do advocating “best interest” of children that are in the foster care system. Many of the children we serve face more intense challenges than ever before. CASA has remained the one constant in these children’s lives. We are needed more today than ever before to advocate for their best interest. We continue to stand firm on our vision that every McLennan County child who enters the foster care system deserves a safe and permanent home. For every child who needs us, we envision a Court Appointed Special Advocate to promote the best interest of that child.
Nick Deaver Board President
I am confident that CASA of McLennan County will continue to carry out its mission with the creativity and dedication that has defined the organization since its inception. It Takes All of Us and you are a critical part of the CASA community Many Thanks again!
MISSION CASA of McLennan County recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interest of children in foster care. We seek advocates whose identity and experience mirrors the children we serve, in order to provide informed, quality advocacy in the courtroom and in the community.
VISION We believe that every McLennan County child brought into the foster care system by abuse or neglect deserves the chance to thrive in a safe and permanent home. For every child who needs us, we envision a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
WHAT IS CASA?
CASA is part of a nationwide organization of Court Appointed Special Advocates with 950 chapters in 49 states, and more than 93,000 volunteers. CASA volunteers are everyday people – teachers, business people, retirees, stay-at-home parents, and grandparents – who are committed to making a difference for children who might otherwise slip through the cracks in an overburdened foster care system.
WHAT DOES A CASA DO? Our volunteer advocates are appointed by a judge and assigned to a case where they spend time getting to know the child or children involved. Their purpose is to gather as much information about the children, as well as all the stakeholders in their life, such as family of origin, foster placement, doctors, teachers, CPS workers, etc. All of this information is then compiled into a report for the court. CASA volunteers also identify and address risks, work
with supportive people in the child’s life, and ensure appropriate physical and mental health assessments are completed to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. They also make sure that educational assessments are completed and educational supports are in place. CASA volunteers provide a consistent presence in a child’s life and work to ensure they are safe during their time in foster care.
38,765
105
186
3,522
107
259
CASA Management Team
Rolanda Burns Executive Director
John Moorman Director of Advocacy Cole Tompkins Outreach Director
Lucy Sorano Program Assistant Shakayla Francis Program Director
Advocate Supervisors
Trena Goldsmith Advocate Supervisor Mentor
Danielle Johnson Advocate Supervisor CFE Coordinator Rose Portillo Advocate Supervisor
Robert Haliburton Advocate Supervisor
Kimberly Witt Advocate Supervisor
A Year of Transition FY23 was a year of transition for CASA of McLennan County. Starting with the promotion of Rolanda Burns to Executive Director. CASA of McLennan County has been intentional in promoting and hiring individuals dedicated to advancing the program on all fronts. Specifically, the team will focus on expanding the volunteer capacity of the program in a manner that is reflective of the demographics of the children we serve. By increasing the diversity of our advocates, we will bring the program closer in alignment with our mission statement, to “recruit, train and support volunteers who advocate for the best interest of children in foster care.” Meet and Welcome the CASA of McLennan County Team Promotions: Rolanda Burns – To Executive Director from Director of Advocacy John Moorman – To Director of Advocacy from Advocate Supervisor
New Hires: Shakayla Francis – Program Director Lucy Sorano – Program Assistant Cole Tompkins – Outreach Director Danielle Johnson – Advocate Supervisor Rose Portillo – Advocate Supervisor Robert Haliburton – Advocate Supervisor
Supporters of CASA SPECIAL THANKS! $20,000 AND ABOVE The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation
Waco Foundation
Cooper Foundation
The United Way
Baylor Kappa Alpha Theta
McLennan County
CHAMPIONS $5,000 - $15,000 Ascension Providence
Melanie Bauer
July Business Services LLC
In-N-Out Burgers Foundation
Nick Deaver
Betty & Benjy Bauer
The Ray & Ellen Deaver Charitable Trust
Atmos Energy
Waco Alumnae of Kappa Alpha Theta
PROTECTORS $1,000 - $5,000 Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Brent & Josie Peterson Becky Murphy Earthshare Texas The First National Bank of Central Texas TFNB Your Bank For Life Camille Hoxworth Bird Kultgen Ford McLennan County Jury Fund Ann Campbell Walmart Corporate Foundation The Carlson Law Firm Specialty Restoration of Texas, Inc. H-E-B Dutch Bros Foundation Community Bank & Trust Bill Wardlaw Eddie & Sharron Odom Keri Thompson Dutch Bros LLC STRATA Trust Company Mars Wrigley Grande Community Chest Dena LeNoir WLK Properties LLC Alexandra Jones Adesina The Zimmerman Law Firm Scanes Yelverton & Talbert LLP
Sally & Johnny Bledsoe Kristy Davis Jeremy Vickers H&B Packing Freight Bar Waco LP Brian Herrera 254 Party Rentals LLC Jordan Hannah Helena Pinson Tom & Helen Chase Square Roofing Richard Karr Paul & Jane Meyer Family Foundation Parson’s Roofing Mike Mitchael Karen Keith Joi Springer Insurors of Texas Independent Financial Home State County Mutual Insurance Group George’s Diane and Kyle Deaver Cen-Tex Roof Systems Carol Miller Bud and Ramona Cooper Brian Townley
Bob & Nicole Woodard Andy & Chris McSwain DuPuy Oxygen Magnolia Carlson Lawfirm American Bank Community Bank & Trust Wardlaw Claims Service JRBT Gerogio’s Waco Streak Baylor University Mark & Jennifer McCunniff Cen-Tex Roof Systems Eddie & Sharon Odom