CASA of HoCo MVP - July - September 2011
Meet Mrs. Betsy L.
"The positive changes I have observed in the lives of “My CASA Kids,” have been so profound and powerful that I am driven to continue doing work I feel passionately about- case after case after case..."
HOMETOWN - Whitehouse Station, New Jersey
I ended up in Houston County about ten years ago due to my husband’s military career. His retirement is getting closer and I am thankful we have finally made Houston County “home”.
I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Mount Olive College in North Carolina and have attended numerous child advocacy trainings in the last several years. I am an educational advocate for children with disabilities throughout GA, a registered mediator, and a supervisor of visitation in some divorce proceedings involving domestic violence. I spend most of my free time with my husband and four school aged sons. My favorite hobbies are playing the piano and violin, gardening, hiking, and camping.
As a CASA I have advocated for eight (8) children (four cases total).My first case was with a toddler and her infant sister beginning with a reunification plan which resulted in adoption. The second case was a 5yr. old and her 9 yr. old brother. This case began in child preservation and involved sexual abuse which resulted in transferring custody to a fit and willing relative. The third case was a 15 yr. old boy with autism which began in Child Preservation and resulted a non-reunification plan until he reached 18 and signed himself back into the care of DFACS. The fourth case currently involves an infant with a reunification plan.
I started with CASA as a member of the board of directors. I loved it so much, I kept advocating for children after my board term ended.
The positive changes I have observed in the lives of “My CASA Kids,” have been so profound and powerful that I am driven to continue doing work I feel passionately about- case after case after case.
CASA in my own words acts as the eyes and ears for the court in child deprivation cases by providing the information gathered and recommending what is in best interest of an abused or neglected child. CASA has a unique and diverse role in child deprivation proceedings by working with Child Protective Services, the legal system and community resources to help ensure that children in need of protective services don’t fall through the cracks.
My thoughts on the training process and continuing education is that the opportunities for continuing education and training are readily available and easy to access. CASAs gather information on the circumstances surrounding a case, identify legal aspects and judicial procedures, determine and provide recommendations, address the needs and concerns of a child, follow progress, and facilitate communication with all involved parties of a case.
Prior to CASA, I had no idea there were so many vulnerable children in the child welfare system, through no fault of their own. For all of the CASA cases I have gladly worked, my perception about so many things has changed. Each child has taught me many valuable lessons. The lessons I have learned are love and the gratifying duty of service.
Every Christmas, I tearfully open cards with pictures from each of “My Casa Kids.” I am so proud of their accomplishments and enjoy watching them grow up. They are the real heroes.
