A gathering of 22 people met on Sept. 12 at the historic Kay Theater. Among those in attendance were the Milam County District Attorney Bill Torrey, along with Milam County Judge-elect Bill Whitmire and Pct. 2 Commissioner- elect James Denman. Deedra Baker, Chief Network Services Officer with Texas CASA was also in attendance to answer questions.
Attendees were asked to fill out an interest form with their contact information. Nancy Zenner and Deedra Baker spoke on what is needed to become a CASA volunteer, and the different ways to volunteer.
“Being a CASA volunteer means working closely with a child, gathering information from everyone involved in a child’s daily life, including members of the child’s family, foster parents, teachers, lawyers, social workers, health care providers and other relevant persons,” volunteer Rachel Owens said.
They then report to a judge in order to advocate in the child’s best interest. CASA volunteers, like the children they help, come from all walks of life. Criminal and CPS background checks, as well as being over the age of 21 are prerequisites. They are also looking for members to form a steering committee.
COMMITTEES— There are four committees that need to be established by the steering committee. The administrative committee includes applying for the 501(c)3 status as well as application to the state and national CASA. The finance committee will be tasked with planning the initial budget as well as researching funding streams such as TX CASA, VOCA and other useful grants.
The Board Development committee consists of working hand in hand with outreach but also bring about community awareness as well as working with the courts and CPS. The outreach committee will meet with folks and garner interest in becoming a CASA volunteer. If you have any experience in any of these areas or if they interest you, they need you.
REAL LIFE EXAMPLES— Not only was the discussion focused on how to become a CASA worker, but several families spoke about the stark difference of having a CASA worker and being without a CASA worker while navigating the system of fostering and adopting.
Taylor Grayson spoke about the process and how it impacted her and her girls’ lives. She spoke of the positive impact CASA volunteers had on their case and their family and how it was a life saver.
Mike Wilson also spoke on the need and desire to have a CASA worker for their case and how transitions would be smoother if they had a CASA worker as well as how important it is to have a person working with and standing up for a child in care is a life changer.
Matt Higginbotham, the pastor at First Baptist Church, spoke on his family experiences of fostering and adopting. They have gone through this process many times now as their family grows to nine. He spoke of how the children in the system need a voice. Their needs and wishes and desires count, and they must be heard. He expressed a desire for CASA to come to Milam County.
Jenah Campsey spoke about how having a CASA worker would have done wonders and she would have felt so much more support. She felt having a CASA worker would have given her more choices and references for some specific needs for her kiddos. Having someone on the children’s side would have relieved a great amount of stress.
All these wonderful people with real life experience spoke to the importance of CASA in the children’s lives. Whether it is in the child’s best interest to stay with the foster family placement or if reunification is in the best interest of each and every child, a CASA volunteer is there to give the child a voice for what will help them most.
Rachel Owens spoke about how the Milam County CPS Board is assisting the reality of CASA coming to Milam County. She gave points on how the Milam County CPS Board is a separate entity from CASA and Department of Family and Protective Services. She mentioned how the Milam County CPS board raises funds each year to provide birthday cards, clothing checks, Christmas presents, and any needed items such as diapers, pack and plays, bedding, toiletries, booster and car seats, emergency food, and so much more for those children in care.
The CPS board often purchases emergency clothing and items needed during a removal when the home is unsanitary or drug manufacturing is occurring and items cannot be taken with the children. The Milam County CPS board provides for the physical needs of a child in placement while CASA will help provide for their emotional needs. The Milam County CPS Board is helping bring the dream of CASA to Milam County.
“We are currently looking for a donated office space to meet somewhere in Milam County, at least for the first year. CASA is a 501(c)3 organization so all donations are tax deductible. TX CASA does provide seed money once all applications are approved, but we are responsible up front for the expenditures of getting the organization started and filing fees. We are responsible for funding the remainder of costs, whether that be through donations or grants,” Owens said.
If you are willing to help get them started and continue with this effort by donating, contact Mike Wilson, Nancy Zenner or Rachel Owens. Contact information is below.
“Our next meeting on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at Cameron Housing Authority behind the Sheriff’s Department at 704 W. Sixth St. This meeting will focus on the steering committee and setting up the individual subcommittees. You can find updated information by vising our Facebook page, Bring CASA to Milam County,” Owens added.
GET INVOLVED— Find more at https://texascasa. org/ or by contacting Mike Wilson at mwilson4479@yahoo.com, Nancy Zenner at 512-635-7080 or teamzenner@ gmail.com or Rachel Owens at 512-429-1336 or aptainneo1@yahoo.com.
“We are grateful to the Kay Theater for providing the meeting space and drinks while we try to bring this much needed organization to Milam County. It is the generosity of those in our county that will bring this dream to life, Owens added.
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