CASA of HoCo Advocate of the Year - 2014
MEET ROSA S.
"CASA is an organization that cares for each child as if they were the only one. This is seen by the great efforts to train volunteers, seek community support, and to network with other organizations of like mind. ..."
HOMETOWN - Perry, GA
I was born in Perry, Georgia, but lived in Hollywood, Florida for about
10 years, then returned to Georgia at the age of 16. I lived in Perry and now I reside in Warner Robins, Georgia.
I have an associates degree in nursing from then Macon State College (Middle GA State College now). Formerly, I was a nursing manager at the Georgia Heart Center and am currently a semi-retired registered nurse, working for Navicent Health in Macon, GA. I am also an adjunct CNA instructor at Health Tech of GA in Warner Robins, GA. Having raised four children of my own, I truly understand the importance of a supportive family network. In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling, walking, sewing, gardening, and spending time with my grandson and other family members.
As a CASA I have advocated for five children (two cases total). My first family was a sibling group of three (ages 2 - 14 years of age). I'm currently advocating for a sibling group of 2 boys ages 2 and 1. They are spilt up in foster care.
Q: How did I get started with CASA ?
A: I got started with CASA because my daughter who is the director of CASA was always campaigning for volunteers to get trained "to speak for the children". So when I temporarily retired, I signed up, went through training. And as they say, "the rest is history".
Q: Why do you keep taking cases?
A: I continue because the children's voice can be heard through CASA.
CASA is an organization that cares for each child as if they were the only one. This is seen by the great efforts to train volunteers, seek community support, and to network with other organizations of like mind
The volunteer training and on going education is paramount. We can have all the compassion in the world for the child that needs our voice in court (and compassion is very necessary), but what we do is guided by law and policy, so the training received keeps us on point, to not only have the needed compassion, but the training on how to observe interactions, conduct an interview with the child, write reports, and understand our limits (to name a few of our training points), gives the CASA what's needed to be effective on behalf of child represented.
Since becoming a CASA, I have learned that I can work and operate within the confines of the law and policy in order to be an effective voice for the children I serve.
Staff perspective:
We are so pleased with the efforts of Rosa and her advocacy efforts for the children she served and those that she currently advocates for. Although, she is the mother of CASA director, she has truly earned her distinction as CASA of the Year. Say Velicia, "I can honestly say that part of my siblings work ethics and desire to give back to our community stems from our mom. She set a great example of being the change that we want to see."
CASA staff is thankful for her continuous presence for her court cases, submission of Court Reports, and commitment to training.
