Fannin County Children's Center Volunteer of the Quarter

Susan Haines of Leonard has been named the CASA Volunteer of the Quarter by the Fannin County Children’s Center.

“This is the most important job I have ever done,” said Susan. Others often ask her how she can do this work. She tells them “how can you not do it?” It is her hope that others will join her in becoming a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

Susan completed CASA volunteer training last fall at the Children’s Center. Soon after, she accepted a case involving two children. As their advocate, she visits them regularly, makes numerous phone calls and attends meetings and court hearings on their behalf.

Another question she is often asked is how she can walk away from a case. Susan believes that when her job is finished, she will know they are in a better situation than when she started.

Sandy Hood, who supervises Susan, described how Susan’s efforts helped expedite her children getting moved out of foster care and into their grandmother’s home in another state. Hood also praised her attention to detail and her efforts to keep everyone involved in the case informed.

Karola Brookshire completed CASA volunteer training in the Spring of 2009. Soon after, she accepted a case involving a teenage boy. As his advocate, she visits him regularly, makes numerous phone calls and attends meetings and court hearings on his behalf.

When he was failing many of his classes and skipping school, Karola discovered that his records showed he should be in special education classes. It was her persistence that caused an ARD meeting to be called so his schedule could be changed to fit his abilities and needs. Karola also worked with the foster parent, CPS caseworker, attorney ad litem, the judge and her CASA Casework Supervisor to devise an individual plan of consequences and rewards to encourage good school attendance. In time, his grades and attendance have improved.

“I think other than maybe working with my cystic fibrosis children, nothing I've ever done has been as rewarding as volunteering for CASA - even though it makes me cry a lot for those kids hearing their stories,” said Karola after accepting the award.

“I can't tell you how much I've learned,” continued Karola. She also went on to praise the staff for their support and dedication.

Sandy Hood, who supervises Karola, said “Her determination and persistence in getting him the specialized services he needs to become a productive member of society when he ages out of care very soon has been a great strength she has brought to her CASA child.”

Gary and JoAnne Duncan - JoAnne Duncan completed volunteer training in the spring of 2004. Shortly after completing training, she accepted a case involving two young brothers who were ages 6 and 8 at the time. Eventually, she convinced her husband to complete the training too in order to join her on the visits with the brothers.

“We became volunteers because as a long time advocate for children in my professional life I saw CASA as a way to continue that focus of my life,” said JoAnne Duncan. “Gary had to come along because he is also a long time supporter of kids. He is a former teacher and coach.”

Being CASA volunteers is not without a few challenges. “The most difficult part is seeing the needs of the kids and not being able to implement the necessary changes,” said JoAnne Duncan.

Another challenge was distance. For more than a year, the two brothers were in separate foster homes many miles apart from one another. The court ordered regular visits between the two brothers, but due to limited staff and time, CPS was not always able to do this. The Duncan’s stepped in and helped keep the visits going when CPS could not manage it. Often JoAnne would drive one direction and Gary to the other to pick up each of the boys and then meet at a designated place. One time they all went roller skating and another time they had fun at Six Flags.

“The most rewarding thing is seeing the eyes light up when they get in the car,” said JoAnne Duncan.

“The biggest payoff is their upcoming adoption,” said JoAnne. The two brothers are now ages 11 and 13. After school got out last May, they went to live with a foster family that wants to adopt them. The adoption is scheduled to be finalized a few weeks before Christmas.

Throughout four and a half years the boys have been in foster care, they have had six or more CPS caseworkers. Gary and JoAnne Duncan have been the constant in these boys’ lives, no matter where they were. The last time the Duncan’s went to see the boys, JoAnne said the boys were so excited about their upcoming adoption. But they were also asking about if they will continue to see the Duncan’s after the adoption becomes final. Gary and JoAnne have already talked with the adoptive parents about seeing the boys less frequently, but still coming around for special occasions.

Linda McKay completed training to become a CASA volunteer in the fall of 2007. She accepted a case involving one infant right away and quickly demonstrated a high level of commitment to working her case. Before too long, she accepted a second case involving a sibling group of five.

Like many volunteers, Linda became a CASA because she wanted to work with children and hoped to make a difference in their lives.

“I continue to be a CASA because I can’t leave these children now,” she said. “My favorite part is getting to know the children and the people involved in trying to make their lives better.”

Linda has made it a priority to try to attend nearly every visit between her children and their parents. She also visits all six of the children regularly in four different placements.

Driving to so many places doesn’t seem to have phased Linda very much. “The biggest challenge I have had to face is when the children are moved from one foster home to another and I have to put on a happy face for them so they don't see how worried I am about them,” she said.

Mel Dunham – This is not the first time Mel has been recognized for his efforts to advocate for abused and neglected children. He was first named CASA Volunteer of the Quarter in 2003. Later he was selected as the CASA Volunteer of the Year for 2003. His advocacy efforts also earned him statewide recognition at the Texas CASA conference in October 2004.

Mel wasn’t sure how many cases he has worked in more than five years. “I do know that at one time I worked five cases at once,” he said when accepting the current award.

One case has lasted nearly the entire time and it continues today. The young boy is 14 years old now and has been in numerous placements. Parental rights were terminated several years ago. At times, the boy’s troubling behaviors have been the reason for many of the placement moves as well as a barrier to finding an adoptive home. Wherever this boy ends up and no matter how far away from Fannin County it is, Mel continues to be a constant person in this boy’s life.

According to the Search Institute, a strong, healthy relationship with at least one adult is a key factor is building resiliency in youth. Although this boy has his share of troubles and challenges in life, we would hate to think of where he would be today without Mel as a steady, consistent, caring person in his life.

Susan completed CASA volunteer training in the fall of 2009 at the Children’s Center. Soon after, she accepted a case involving two children. As their advocate, she visits them regularly, makes numerous phone calls and attends meetings and court hearings on their behalf.

Another question she is often asked is how she can walk away from a case. Haines believes that when her job is finished, she will know they are in a better situation than when she started.

Sandy Hood, who supervises Haines, described how Susan’s efforts helped expedite her children getting moved out of foster care and into their grandmother’s home in another state. Hood also praised Haines’ attention to detail and her efforts to keep everyone involved in the case informed.