CASA volunteer Barbie Carter

Barbie Carter stays busy working full-time at Lexmark, but that doesn’t stop her from enjoying family time or hobbies like photography. It also hasn’t stopped her from making a difference in her community as a CASA volunteer. In fact, it was through her workplace’s Women @ Work group that she discovered CASA of Lexington.

Now, Carter, one of many Lexmark employees who serve as CASA volunteers, is one of CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month for January. She has advocated for children from four different families over her nearly five years of service.

“Barbie has been a tremendous source of support for foster parents, often helping to intervene to get the attention of the social worker or other parties to a case when needed,” said Liz Noffsinger, Carter’s Volunteer Manager who nominated her for the award.

Noffsinger said Carter has been a dedicated volunteer, even traveling long distances across the state when children were placed far away from where their case originated.

Carter said she loves building relationships with the children for whom she advocates. CASA volunteers are matched with children in the local family court system who have been abused or neglected. They visit children monthly, talk to adults involved in the children’s lives and bring reports and recommendations back to the judge. Children who receive a CASA volunteer are more likely to do well in school, more likely to receive services they need while in care and less likely to re-enter the foster system after their case closes.

“As a CASA volunteer, you are the person who can focus on one case and really get to know the people involved,” she said. “This helps you get a better view of what the child needs, so you can be a voice for that child. What I find most rewarding is getting to know the people involved and being able to influence and help in a tangible way that really makes a difference in one child’s life.”

CASA volunteer April Jilbert

April Jilbert first became a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer in northern Kentucky more than a decade ago. After her family moved to Lexington, she signed back up to be a CASA volunteer with CASA of Lexington.

Since she began volunteering with CASA of Lexington more than four years ago, Jilbert has helped change the future for a dozen children. This month, she is one of CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month.

“April is a fantastic CASA!,” said Kyrsten Adkins, Jilbert’s Volunteer Manager. “April is always professional and works collaboratively with the social worker on the case. She writes a great court report, submits her hours on-time and it’s not unusual for us to have an hour phone call several times a month discussing her case.”

As a CASA volunteer, Jilbert is matched with the cases of abused and neglected children in the local family court system. She visits the children monthly, talks to adults involved in their lives and makes reports and recommendations to the judge.

Jilbert said she loves the process of developing relationships with the children on her cases.

“It can be a real challenge, but that just takes persistence, especially with the teenagers,” she said. “But it’s so worth it, especially when you see that breakthrough. That’s probably my favorite part.”

When children in family court receive a CASA volunteer like Jilbert, they are more likely to have the judge order services they need. They are also more likely to perform well in school and to find a safe, permanent home that doesn’t disrupt after their case closes.

Jilbert said a lot of people don’t know what a CASA volunteer is, so she likes to keep it simple when she’s telling someone for the first time.

“I tell them I advocate for children in court. If they start to ask questions, that’s when I will go more in-depth,” she said. “I definitely love it or I wouldn’t have been doing it this long.”

CASA of Lexington volunteers Ava Crow and Anne Flynn

Ava Crow and Anne Flynn both found ways to advocate for others in their careers: Crow as a lawyer representing children and adults with disabilities in civil rights cases; Flynn as a nurse in adult protective services.

But after the couple entered retirement, they found a new way to keep helping others — by serving as CASA volunteers. Now, after seven and a half years of volunteering and serving a combined 16 abused and neglected children, Crow and Flynn have been named CASA of Lexington Volunteers of the Month for December.

This isn’t the first time they have won the honor — they also earned it in April of 2016.

Crow and Flynn’s Volunteer Manager Jenifer Bahr said each case they have taken on has been more challenging than the last.

“They have traveled all over the state to stay connected with their children, never letting distance be a hindrance,” Bahr said. “Their reports and recommendations have been invaluable to the court. They truly have been the only constant in every single one of their cases.

“Their ability to connect with the children on their cases speaks volumes to the kind, compassionate, amazing individuals they are.”

Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are trained community members who are matched with abused and neglected children in the local family court system. Each CASA volunteer visits their assigned child monthly, talks with adults involved in the child’s life, reviews records and makes recommendations to the judge on what actions would be in the best interest of the child.

CASA volunteers help identify educational and medical problems that are being overlooked, connect families with resources and get children back into safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

CASA teams are pairs of CASA volunteers — spouses like Crow and Flynn, parent-child pairs, or even best friends — who are matched together to cases involving multiple children. CASA teams are often invaluable on these larger and more complex cases.

Crow and Flynn said they originally discovered CASA of Lexington through a newspaper article, and it seemed like the duties of a CASA volunteer meshed well with their abilities.

“There are three things that keep me coming back as a CASA volunteer, year after year,” Flynn said. “One – the kids are terrific! We don’t always know them long, but they always leave a place in my heart. Second – the other CASA volunteers are great people and several have become my friends over the years. Finally – I really like working with Jenifer. She is dedicated to the job and has a great sense of humor, which helps a lot when the job gets difficult.”

Crow seconded Flynn’s endorsement of Bahr and the support provided by CASA of Lexington staff to its volunteers.

“The staff at CASA are amazing,” she said, encouraging anyone curious about becoming a CASA volunteer to sign up for the next volunteer training. “Go to the training and see if it seems like a match for you. If it does, give it a try. You’ll get incredible support and you’ll feel good about whatever you accomplish.”

From left, Josh and Dusty Cummins present CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison with a $100,000 donation, taken from the sales of vehicles at the Dan Cummins family of dealerships in 2022.

CASA of Lexington finished its sixth and final CASA Angel Tree event of the year at Dan Cummins Chevy Buick Dodge Ram in Paris Tuesday. The event brought two good pieces of news: every child from the CASA Angel Trees has now been picked by someone who will buy them gifts this holiday season; and the Dan Cummins family of dealerships has once again made a $100,000 donation to CASA of Lexington!

In 2021, Dan Cummins donated a portion of every vehicle sold to CASA of Lexington, up to $100,000. The program called Dan Cummins Cares was repeated in 2022, and Josh and Dusty Cummins announced at the Bourbon County CASA Angel Tree event on Nov. 15 that the dealerships had already reached their target.

Support from the Cummins Family

Josh Cummins speaks about the need to break cycles of abuse during the CASA Angel Tree event Tuesday.

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison said the Cummins family has been an amazing supporter of the CASA mission because they want to be part of the solution for children in need in central Kentucky. The family’s contributions — now in the hundreds of thousands over multiple years — have helped enable CASA of Lexington’s expansion to serve hundreds more children, she said.

Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are matched with children in the local family court system who have been abused or neglected. Each volunteer visits their child monthly, talks to adults involved in the child’s life and reviews medical and educational records. The CASA volunteer provides reports to the judge that help get the child more services and hopefully return to a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible.

Jamison said it costs about $1,000 to give a child a CASA volunteer for one year, meaning the $100,000 donation from Dan Cummins represents 100 children receiving a CASA volunteer. She thanked Dan Cummins employees for making the donation possible by selling cars.

“It’s thanks to you that each one of those lives will be changed for the better,” she said.

Josh Cummins said there are too many children and families stuck in negative cycles of abuse or neglect. Thanks to CASA volunteers, “hopefully, those cycles can be broken and these children can go back to living their lives,” he said.

Final 51 children picked from Bourbon Co. CASA Angel Tree

Participants pick names of children in need of holiday gifts from the CASA Angel Tree Tuesday.

At the CASA Angel Tree event Tuesday, participants picked 51 names of CASA children from the tree. They will go shopping for the children’s holiday wish lists. Once participants purchase the kids’ wished-for gifts, CASA volunteers will deliver the gifts unwrapped to the families or caretakers of the children, in time for them to wrap them for the holidays.

“The CASA Angel Tree is a great way for families and the general public to get involved in supporting these children, even if they can’t serve as CASA volunteers,” Jamison said. “We are thrilled to see the community show up for these children, who have been through more trauma than many of us will ever see. And we’re always thrilled when someone not only participates in the Angel Tree event, but goes on to become a CASA volunteer and advocate for a child, as well!”

More than 400 children were picked from CASA Angel Tree events in six counties this year.

Anyone still interested in participating in this year’s CASA Angel Tree can purchase supplemental gifts from CASA of Lexington’s Angel Tree wish list on Amazon, available at https://bit.ly/casaangeltree. Those gifts will be used to supplement what is purchased for the children and balance the quantity and quality of gifts given to sibling groups.

If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, you can visit www.casaoflexington.org/learn or email info@casaoflexington.org.

CASA Volunteer of the Month Kevin Eby

When Kevin Eby changed jobs and discovered he had more free time on his hands, several of his friends encouraged him to become a CASA volunteer.

"I didn't even know what CASA kids were," Eby said. "I just assumed it was something to do with Spanish. I hadn't investigated it at all."

At CASA of Lexington, Eby found a community of people like him, who want to create real, positive change in the world by giving children better childhoods.

Eby, a UK professor who also works with the Fatherhood Foundation, went through the CASA training, took a case and was hooked.

Eby's Volunteer Manager, Liz Noffsinger, said Eby is an "exemplary advocate" who has taken on a tough case and helped transform a child's life. Because of his work, he has been named a CASA Volunteer of the Month for November 2022.

Eby said serving as a CASA volunteer is rewarding, but "I will enjoy it the most when I'm able to see my child get a home."

CASA volunteers typically take one case at a time, advocating for the best interests of an abused or neglected child in the family court system. Kids with CASA volunteers have more hope for the future, get more services they need to thrive and are far less likely to re-enter the system after their cases close.

Kentucky's child abuse and neglect statistics are among the worst in the nation, which is one reason Eby said he volunteers with CASA — and a reason he thinks others should, too.

"Talk to a CASA volunteer and try it. It's worth it," he said. "The need will always be there. The numbers are pretty amazing."

CASA Volunteer of the Month Erin Hall

Erin Hall loves to improve children's lives. But her passion hasn't put her in a classroom; it has put her on a horse farm — and in a courtroom.

Hall is a therapeutic riding instructor by day, helping children with diagnoses of autism or Down Syndrome. She also moonlights as a CASA volunteer, advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the local family court system.

Hall actually began serving as a CASA volunteer years ago, stopped for a while, then came back to the work in June 2020. This month, her dedication to helping children has earned her the designation of CASA Volunteer of the Month.

"I love making a connection with the children and figuring out how to best help them and their family," she said. "Early on in my life, I would have thought, 'Well, those children just need to be taken from the home.' But that's not always the best way."

Jeanne Box, Hall's Volunteer Manager, said Hall has spent dozens of hours locating resources in the community for the children she serves. For one child, Box said, Hall "focused on addressing ways in which she could improve conditions for him, and left no stone un-turned until his circumstances were improved."

Hall has also helped a child completely turn around their educational performance, Box said, ultimately putting the child on a path toward potentially perfect attendance.

CASA volunteers complete a specialized 30-hour training course, then spend an average of 5-10 hours a month volunteering. Each volunteer is matched with a child, whom they visit every month. The volunteer also talks to adults involved in the child's life and reviews records. Then, the volunteer provides reports to the judge on the child's case, increasing the likelihood the child receives services they need and can be returned to a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible.

Hall said she knows sometimes, people are hesitant to get involved with CASA because they are reluctant to get attached or involved in the life of a child in need.

"I tell people, 'You need to get involved!'" she said. "That's a good thing — it means you care and you're becoming a part of the solution for the child."

CASA of Lexington has been certified as an inclusive and affirming organization by All Children All Families.

ACAF, an initiative of the Human Rights Campaign, recognized the nonprofit as an innovator in the field of LGBTQ inclusion, the highest tier of recognition it awards.

“Inclusivity and respect for everyone are values deeply embedded in CASA of Lexington’s culture,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “We are thrilled to be recognized for this as an innovative leader by All Children All Families. It shows how committed CASA of Lexington is to serving all children and their families with fairness, equity, kindness and support.”

The months-long process of certification involved CASA of Lexington staff reading through all policies concerning non-discrimination and proposing updates where needed, which the Board of Directors approved. CASA staff also completed many hours of training on LGBTQ inclusivity. And the organization implemented an ongoing training plan to ensure staff and volunteers will always be ready to serve any child without discrimination.

CASA of Lexington earned the “Innovator” tier of certification by building partnerships with local LGBTQ groups and implementing health coverage for domestic partners of CASA employees.

“It is absolutely essential that children are provided with a safe, loving environment and the heart-breaking reality is that many LGBTQ+ children in the foster care system are forced into isolating and uncertain circumstances,” said Ted Lewis, Human Rights Campaign’s Director of Youth & Family Programs. “Thank you to CASA of Lexington for being dedicated to making impactful change for the LGBTQ+ youth they serve. It is critical for organizations to demonstrate a growing commitment to intersectionality and ensuring policies and practices that do not reinforce the same systems of oppression that put youth and families at risk in the first place. By taking on these challenges, CASA of Lexington can be a model for youth-serving professionals everywhere.”

Through the certification process, ACAF staff also helped CASA of Lexington identify further improvements that could be made, which the organization is now working to implement.

“We did not complete this process just to earn the ‘Innovator’ seal. We had already done a lot of the work to build an inclusive and affirming culture before we knew about the ACAF initiative,” Jamison said. “We completed this process in order to identify areas where we could improve further — and that is what happened. We intend to continue this work and keep improving every year. The children we serve deserve nothing less.”

CASA Volunteer Charlene Floyd

Charlene Floyd stays busy in a lot of different ways — she enjoys hiking, painting, photography, live music, sharing delicious dinners with friends and her monthly book club. But one of her most rewarding activities is serving as a CASA volunteer. 

“I heard about CASA through a volunteer a number of years ago and have always been interested in volunteering,” she said. “Since my family and I moved frequently, I wasn’t able to make the time commitment needed. Now that I am settled, I decided to investigate the volunteer opportunities more seriously.” 

After being sworn in as a CASA volunteer a little more than a year ago, Floyd was assigned to her first case, advocating for abused and neglected children in Jessamine County. This month, she was recognized as a Volunteer of the Month. 

“Charlene is a steadfast advocate. She embodies the skills and attributes that make a successful CASA,” said Cara MacLeod, Jessamine County’s CASA Volunteer Manager. “Charlene works collaboratively with partners on the case, remaining open-minded and compassionate. She is an active listener and consistently sets up and attends home visits, building rapport and trust.” 

CASA volunteers spend about 5-10 hours a month visiting with children, speaking with adults involved in children’s lives and advocating for the children’s best interests in family court. CASA volunteers help improve communication and fill gaps in knowledge for the judge on the case. Research has shown children with a CASA volunteer receive more services, do better in school and are far less likely to re-enter the foster care system after their cases close. 

“What I have enjoyed most about being a CASA volunteer is spending time with my CASA child,” Floyd said. “You are there to help a child, to be a voice for that child in the courtroom, a voice for that child through a period of time that may be one of the most frightening times of their life. 

“These children need to know that there is someone in their corner, who will show up for them time and time again. If you want to help children who so desperately need help, consider becoming a CASA volunteer.” 

A training for new CASA volunteers in Jessamine, Garrard and Lincoln counties begins Oct. 11 in Garrard County and a winter training for volunteers in Jessamine, Garrard, Lincoln, Bourbon, Fayette, Scott and Woodford begins Jan. 10. You can view schedules of the trainings and apply to be a CASA volunteer at www.casaoflexington.org. Call (859) 246-4313 or email jessaminecounty@casaoflexington.org for more information. 

CASA Volunteer Nancy Tucker

Nancy Tucker has been helping children succeed around the country for decades. Her educational work includes helping found the Head Start program in Kansas City and helping found a similar early education program here in Kentucky. 

Today, Tucker continues to help children by serving as a CASA volunteer. The veteran volunteer has been advocating for the needs of local children in the family court system for six years this month, making her one of the longest-serving volunteers with CASA of Lexington. 

This month, she has also been named a CASA Volunteer of the Month, thanks to a nomination from her Volunteer Manager Dennis Stutsman. 

“Nancy has worked effectively with 8 families since being sworn into service in October 2016,” Stutsman said. “On her current case, which she has been working for several years, Nancy has been a tremendous source of support and resource referral for the foster mother, often helping get the attention of the social worker or the court when a child needed treatment but was waitlisted by providers.” 

Tucker said she has found serving as a CASA volunteer to be extremely rewarding. 

“It has more than met my expectations,” she said. 

As a CASA Volunteer, Tucker is assigned to cases of children who have been abused or neglected. She visits the children every month, speaks with adults involved in the children’s lives, reviews educational and medical records, and advocates for the children’s best interests in family court. 

Tucker said CASA works with many of children and families who get judged by others all the time, even though they are often doing the best they can with what they have. 

“You have to be non-judgmental. You never know what people have gone through,” she said. “You're not there to feel bad for these kids. You're there to show them that someone cares about them." 

To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, see schedules of upcoming trainings or apply to become a CASA volunteer, click here.

CASA Volunteer Kim Lyon

Kim Lyon was introduced to CASA through the CASA Angel Tree program, which provides gifts to children in the family court system during the holidays each December.

“For several years, we selected a CASA Angel and got to provide Christmas gifts for that child,” she said. “When I retired, however, I felt the pull to serve these children more personally and routinely. So, I became a CASA volunteer.”

Lyon has now served as a CASA volunteer for 18 months, advocating for nine abused or neglected children during that time. Her work has earned her the title of CASA Volunteer of the Month in September.

“Kim has worked a variety of cases in her time as a CASA volunteer,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “She is always willing to undertake a challenge, regardless of how intimidating or complicated the facts may be.”

Lyon said it’s sad to understand just how many children in the local community are victims of abuse or neglect. “But it has been both humbling and rewarding to see how CASA volunteers can help change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton picks an ornament from the Fayette County CASA Angel Tree in November 2021.

Lyon said if anyone is considering becoming a CASA volunteer, “first – there are children out there who need you. Second – don’t worry about whether you’re qualified. CASA’s training and ongoing support is excellent. Third – talk to a volunteer who will answer any questions you have.”

CASA volunteers complete a 30-hour training class before being assigned to the case of an abused or neglected child. They spend about 5-10 hours a month volunteering by visiting the child, talking to adults involved in the child’s life and writing court reports for the judge on the case.

Jamison said Lyon’s reports for the judge always provide a “clear picture of the abilities of each child, filling in gaps that may have previously impacted the court’s ability to make fully informed decisions.”

“CASA volunteers like Kim also provide the perspective of a regular person that may often be missing,” Jamison said. “We have CASA volunteers from all walks of life and careers. In fact, a majority of our volunteers work full-time.”

Anyone interested in becoming a CASA volunteer can visit www.casaoflexington.org, email info@casaoflexington.org or call (859) 246-4313 for more information. CASA Angel Tree ceremonies are held annually by CASA of Lexington in Bourbon, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Scott and Woodford counties in November. Watch www.casaoflexington.org for more information about locations and dates later this fall.

CASA Volunteer Amy Shaw

Eleven years ago, Amy Shaw read about a local businesswoman who was also serving as a CASA volunteer. The work intrigued her, so she looked into it and soon signed up to become a CASA volunteer herself.

Shaw has served as a CASA volunteer in Lexington ever since, and has now advocated for more than 10 abused or neglected children. She is also one of CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month for September.

“Through many challenges, setbacks and surprises on her current case, Amy has been steadfast in communicating with everyone, consistently visiting the children and making sure their best interests are a priority,” said Jenifer Bahr, Shaw’s Volunteer Manager. “Amy builds wonderful relationships with community partners and makes sure they have the information they need to provide the best services for the children she serves.”

As a CASA volunteer, Shaw is matched with abused or neglected children in the local family court system. She visits the children monthly, helps improve communication and advocates for what the children need.

“Being a volunteer means focusing on what is best for the child — that has to be top-of-mind, always,” Shaw said. “You may be the most consistent person in their life, so commitment is a must.”

CASA volunteers give about 5-10 hours a month on average, and serve for at least 2 years, in order to see cases through to closure. Kids who get a CASA volunteer do better in school, get more services they need and are returned to safe, permanent homes faster. They are also far less likely to re-enter the foster system after their cases close.

Shaw said more than a decade as a CASA volunteer has shown her how helping children often means helping the children’s families.

“Being a volunteer has reinforced for me that children are not little adults,” she said. “Hurt children become hurt adults, and sometimes parents need just as much support as the children.”

More information about becoming a CASA volunteer is available at www.casaoflexington.org, by emailing info@casaoflexington.org or by calling (859) 246-4313.

When a child is abused or neglected, it may be necessary to remove the child from their home to keep them safe. But the removal itself can be also be extremely traumatic for the child. Keeping families together is better for children, as long as it can be done safely.

Many people don’t realize how removing a child from their home can re-traumatize them. The unfortunate reality is that for many of the thousands of children in out-of-home care in Kentucky right now, their lives got worse – at least initially – when they were removed from their homes.

We cannot prevent every removal – and sometimes, removals are necessary to protect children. But removals should always be done with an understanding that the removal itself is a painful, traumatic event for the child being removed.

Whenever it’s safely possible, keeping families together is the better choice. Here are three benefits kids have when they get to stay with their families:

Keeping families together lets kids build stronger attachments

Infants cry to let their caregivers know they need something. When the caregiver provides for that need, it helps develop a bond between the child and the caregiver. When parents fulfill this “cycle of need,” they help their child begin developing attachment.

“When infants attach successfully to their parents and caregivers, they learn to trust that the outside world is a welcoming place and are more likely to explore and interact with their environment,” according to the American Psychological Association. “This lays the groundwork for further social, emotional, and cognitive development.”

Keeping families together is better for a child’s health

Research has shown that removing a child from their parents has negative effects on the child’s health. Removal can negatively impact a child’s mental health as well as their physical health.

“… highly stressful experiences, like family separation, can cause irreparable harm, disrupting a child’s brain architecture and affecting his or her short- and long-term health,” according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. “This type of prolonged exposure to serious stress – known as toxic stress – can carry lifelong consequences.”

Keeping families together makes kids more resilient

Children who get to grow up with parental and family support deal with adversity better, especially if they are from a minority or marginalized group.

Children of color can learn cultural values and beliefs that boost their self-esteem, according to the APA. And LGBTQ+ youth who are cared for at home and receive support and affirmation from their parents are far less likely to attempt suicide, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

You can help keep families together!

CASA volunteers often serve a vital role in keeping families together. CASA volunteers are community members who are trained to advocate solely for the best interests of children involved in family court cases. They understand how important it is to a child’s future to be with their family. They also understand the need to keep children safe and find them permanent homes as quickly as possible.

CASA volunteers can advocate immediately for reunification or family preservation measures if they determine it would be in the best interest of the child. They can also help connect families with resources that make them stronger. And they can recommend placement with relatives who can provide a safe home when a child’s parents cannot.

Anyone can serve as a CASA volunteer if they are at least 21 years old, pass a background check and complete a 30-hour training. CASA volunteers spend about 5-10 hours on their case a month and serve for at least two years, in order to see their case through to closure.

Want to make a difference for kids in your community? You can learn more about what CASA volunteers do or apply to be a CASA volunteer with CASA of Lexington.

Oscar and Matilda are stars of the new children’s book, “Oscar’s Family,” which teaches children about family and introduces them to what CASA volunteers do for kids.

What does it mean to have a family? And who is part of your family? Oscar, a loveable and curious little boy, learns there’s much more to family than he thought in a new children’s picture book written and illustrated by two Kentucky residents.

“Oscar’s Family” is a brightly illustrated, 36-page book available now directly from CASA of Lexington or through Amazon. It follows Oscar as he gets to draw a picture of his family at school, and then learns from his foster mom how lots of people count as his family — whether or not they look like him or live with him.

Along the way, you meet Oscar’s CASA volunteer, Liz, and her certified courthouse facility dog Matilda.

“’Oscar’s Family’ is first of all a story about discovering just how many people care about you, which is a message all kids need to hear,” said the author, Melynda Jamison. “Kids and families can also learn about CASA along the way. CASA is a court program essential to improving the futures of so many children, but it’s also relatively unknown to many people.”

Jamison, a Perryville native, is Executive Director of CASA of Lexington, the largest CASA organization in Kentucky. She said “Oscar’s Family” is a fun read for any kid and their parents.

“Even children who have a loving, stable home will encounter friends at school and in the community who are not so lucky,” Jamison said. “’Oscar’s Family’ introduces all children to the idea that families can look very different, and that’s a good thing!”

“Oscar’s Family” was illustrated by Matthew Walden, a Lexington resident who has also crafted unique superhero characters for CASA of Lexington’s annual Superhero Run.

“Telling the visual side of ‘Oscar’s Family’ was an exciting opportunity, because I was given much freedom with style, colors, and design, as well as the interpretations of characters and the emotions underlying their words and actions,” Walden said. “Illustrating ‘Oscar’s Family’ was also an opportunity to use my time and talents to help put something good into the world, to add beauty that might enrich the lives of others and inspire them to think in new ways about what love and family mean. It’s my own way to join in the kind of work which CASA does so well.”

While all the other characters are fictional, Oscar’s teacher, Mrs. Best; his CASA Volunteer, Liz; and her dog, Matilda, are all based on real people. Mrs. Best taught elementary school children in Jamison’s hometown of Perryville for 49 years, and just recently retired. Liz and Matilda are members of the CASA of Lexington staff — Liz Noffsinger is a Volunteer Manager and Canine Handler and Matilda is Kentucky’s only certified courthouse facility dog, now in her fourth year of service.

“Matilda has helped countless Kentucky children, whether they have CASA volunteers or not,” Noffsinger said. “She has traveled all over the state, helping kids testify in court and going on home visits to help put children at ease. Matilda is a helper at heart, and now she gets to help every kid who reads ‘Oscar’s Family!’”

All proceeds from sales of “Oscar’s Family” will benefit CASA of Lexington in its mission to ensure all children in central Kentucky have a safe, permanent home. CASA of Lexington is on Facebook and Instagram as @CASAofLexington. Walden is on Instagram as @mdaileywalden.

Buy Oscar's Family Online

"Oscar's Family" is available directly from CASA of Lexington at https://bit.ly/oscarsfamily or on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3QGGeYz.

Since her parents were also foster parents, Loretta Craft grew up seeing what foster children had been through. 

CASA Volunteer Loretta Craft

So when her former boss told her about the CASA program in Bourbon County, Craft signed up. 

“I want to be able to help children that are in the foster care system and CASA gives me the option to do so,” she said. “The most rewarding part of being a CASA volunteer is getting to know the children that I am serving. I enjoy learning about them as a person — their likes, their dislikes.” 

Craft has served as a CASA volunteer for nearly two years, and she has excelled in the position, said Gudrun Allen, Craft’s Volunteer Manager. Because of her excellent work for children, Craft has been named a CASA volunteer of the Month for the Bourbon County CASA program. 

“She is persistent, and she also handles changes on her case with a calm and gentle manner,” Allen said. “She is an excellent advocate for children’s educational and therapeutic needs.” 

As a CASA volunteer, Craft is matched with abused or neglected children in the Bourbon County family court system. She visits the child she is matched with frequently, showing the child that someone cares and giving the child hope for the future. She also talks with everyone involved in the child’s life and checks to see if the child is getting all the medical and educational care they need. 

Craft brings everything she learns back to Bourbon family court Judge Lisa Hunt Morgan and everyone else involved in the child’s case. Her reports make it easier for Morgan to order services the child needs.  

CASA volunteers typically spend 5-10 hours a month volunteering and commit to 2 years of service. One CASA volunteer improves outcomes for two children every year, on average. 

Craft said serving as a CASA volunteer is rewarding because she can actually change the life of a child in need. 

“We can be the child’s safe haven from the neglect and pain they have felt — or just a friend to spend time with,” she said. 

To learn more about the CASA program in Bourbon County or to inquire about becoming a volunteer, email bourboncounty@casaoflexington.org or call (859) 246-4313. 

Dr. Tim Scott was a family doctor for 40 years, but since retiring he has discovered a new way to help families: Serving as a CASA volunteer. 

CASA Volunteer Tim Scott

“A lot of times, I would get to know different people from a family in my office, but it was not often I would see them in their home,” Scott, a Jessamine County resident, said. 

Scott became a CASA volunteer in 2021, after his good friend Kevin Eby, who is also a CASA volunteer, let him know about the program. 

Scott has exceled in developing relationships with the children he serves and been a strong advocate for their medical needs, said Cara MacLeod, Scott’s Volunteer Manager. For those reasons, Scott was named a Volunteer of the Month for August by the Jessamine County CASA program. 

“I appreciate his attention to detail and his knowledge of child development and family dynamics,” MacLeod said. “He is an instrumental part of CASA in Jessamine County.” 

As a CASA volunteer, Scott is matched with abused or neglected children in the Jessamine County family court system. He visits the child he is matched with frequently, show the child that someone cares and giving the child hope for the future. He also talks with everyone involved in the child’s life and checks to see if the child is getting all the medical and educational care they need. 

Scott brings everything he learns back to Jessamine family court Judge Jeff Moss and everyone else involved in the child’s case. His reports make it easier for Moss to order services the child needs.  

CASA volunteers typically spend 5-10 hours a month volunteering and commit to 2 years of service. One CASA volunteer improves outcomes for two children every year, on average. 

Scott said he volunteers because he had not previously known how big a problem child abuse and neglect is in Kentucky. He also does it because helping people in need is part of his faith. 

“This is a very concrete way of making a difference,” he said.   

To learn more about the Jessamine County CASA program or to inquire about becoming a CASA volunteer, email jessaminecounty@casaoflexington.org or call (859) 246-4313.

Andrea Miller is the new Lincoln County representative on the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors. She is also the director of the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

CASA of Lexington Board Member Andrea Miller

CASA: How did you first learn about CASA of Lexington?

Andrea: I was on the CASA board for Lincoln County when it was with Pulaski and my brother is a social worker ,so I've known about CASA for a long time.

CASA: What do you do with the Lincoln County Chamber?

Andrea: I try to get businesses engaged with the community and plan community events and advocate for our community. I've been there 22 years.

CASA: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Andrea: Competitive dancing — ballroom and country western dancing. And baking!

CASA: What is your proudest accomplishment?

Andrea: Probably my kids. One has her own interior design business, one works at Lincoln Manufacturing and one is a media specialist for advertising in Tennessee. But it's who they are as people more than anything else.

CASA: What would you like to say to CASA of Lexington's volunteers?

Andrea: Thank you! I can't imagine what you see and what you hear, but thank you for making a difference in the lives of the children you work with.

Stuart Hurt is one of CASA of Lexington’s newest board members. He runs House by JSD Designs and is the adoptive parent of children who had a CASA volunteer!

CASA Board Member Stuart Hurt

CASA: How did you first learn about CASA of Lexington?

Stuart: I first learned of CASA through an anonymous friend, who helped myself and my husband get a CASA volunteer very early in our Fostering tenure.

CASA: What do you do where you work - House by JSD Designs?

Stuart: I am Owner/Operator and one of the Lead Interior Designers for our company. I like to focus on design and construction, but also put many hours into the physical store, taking care of inventory, accounts payable and ordering the products we sell in our retail store.

CASA: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Stuart: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and husband, as well as having gatherings at our home. On solo time, I am a cycle instructor at CycleYOU Lexington, and when I can, I get away to the lake for some reflection and down time.

CASA: What is your proudest accomplishment?

Stuart: Honestly, I try to make myself proud every day by accomplishing even the smallest tasks after a busy work day. In my career, I was proud to have been in the first group to gain the CID Certification for Interior Design, and also pushing myself past my own comfort level to own and operate my own business. 

Raising my daughter is also making me proud — and teaching me a lot about the life I already thought I knew, but I would not change it for anything.  

CASA: What would you like to say to CASA of Lexington's volunteers?

Stuart: I would like to say that your work is seen. YOU are making an impact to those you may not know, and to those whom know your face, you may very well be the only truth they know. KEEP GOING!

CASA Volunteer Olivia Mattox

Olivia Mattox was nearing graduation from the University of Kentucky in 2020 when a long-time friend and sorority sister came to her and suggested she become a CASA volunteer.

“She knows I love children and I have a heart for helping kids,” Olivia said. “She told me, ‘I don’t know what you’re doing after college, but if you’re interested, I think you would make an amazing CASA volunteer.”

Olivia’s friend, Megan Campbell, was already a CASA volunteer with CASA of Lexington. Olivia signed up for CASA volunteer training after graduation and was sworn in during the summer of 2021. She made a new friend in training and the two were assigned to work a case together.

Olivia visited the children on their case regularly, even when the children were placed in different homes so it meant multiple visits each month.

"Olivia helped gather records from more than six schools the children had attended, as well as from multiple medical and therapeutic providers," said Melynda Jamison, CASA of Lexington Executive Director. "She earned the respect of professionals on the case for her thoroughness in information gathering. She also earned the respect of the children's mother, who appreciated how she developed relationships with the children."

Because of her hard work on behalf of children over the past 10 months, Olivia has been named one of CASA of Lexington's Volunteers of the Month for July.

Olivia said she likes how serving as a CASA volunteer helps her see things from different perspectives.

"It forces you to look at situations with a different lens," she said. "And I think that's something that not everybody can do."

Olivia is also a professional nanny, something she loves because she gets to work with children all day. She's glad she has also found CASA so she can do even more for kids in need.

"If you are bored with your day-to-day and you want a purpose, and if you want to help kids but you don't know how, I would recommend CASA," she said. "I wish I had known about it sooner."

CASA: How did you first learn about CASA of Lexington?

Kasey: I first learned about CASA through Lexington Police Det. Tyler Chelf who used to serve on the board. When he began law school, he asked who would like to fill his position. I volunteered after he told me what CASA was all about!

CASA: What is your role with Lexington police?

Kasey: I have been with Lexington Police Department since October of 2015. I have been a Crimes Against Children Detective for almost three years now. I am the only runaway/missing juvenile detective on the department but also still work abuse cases when needed. Fun fact: you have to spend three years on patrol before you can interview for a specialized position. It was my goal from day one to join the Special Victims Sections. When I was on patrol, my beat was the area surrounding the CASA office!

CASA: What do you like about serving as a CASA of Lexington board member?

Kasey: I have loved learning all the aspects of CASA and how we help children day-to-day. It has been nice seeing how some of the cases we investigate are positively affected by the CASA volunteer assigned. We all unfortunately see and hear terrible things, but it’s nice to know we have a common goal in helping these victims. I did not know much about CASA before joining the board position and I have enjoyed educating others about CASA now that I am part of it!

CASA: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Kasey: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and dogs. My husband and I have known each other since the seventh grade! We have three rescue dogs; a German shepherd, a tripod-pitbull mix and a blind/deaf pug. We like to go camping, hiking, fishing, and of course eating! I love trying new restaurants and all kinds of food. However, right now we are anxiously house prepping and life prepping for our first baby on the way. Ms. Salem Virginia is set to make her arrival on Sept. 23!

CASA: What would you like to say to CASA of Lexington's volunteers?

Kasey: Hearing all the horrific stories and situations these children go through has really made me realize how blessed I am in this life. Being part of CASA has made me so thankful there are people out there fighting for these kids when no one else is. To the volunteers, I’d just like to say thank you! We do the Superhero Run every year for the kids, but you all are superheroes too. Thank you for your time, patience and resilience in helping these kids time and time again.

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison, right, presents CASA volunteer Kelley Sloane with the nonprofit’s first ever Volunteer Achievement Award for her dedication to a single CASA case over eight years.

For the better part of a decade, Thomas had no permanent home. Different adults cycled in and out of his life as he was moved around in the foster system to more than 20 different placements.

Often, children stuck in foster care for such a long time like Thomas never regain permanency.

Jamison speaks about Sloane’s dedication to her volunteer work.

“The likelihood of adoption drops the older a child gets,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “All too often, the story ends with a child aging out, becoming an adult without ever finding a permanent family.”

But that’s not the way the story ended for Thomas, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy. He was adopted eight years after his case was first opened in Fayette County family court.

“Thomas’ adoption was no accident. It was made possible in large part thanks to his CASA volunteer, Kelley Sloane,” Jamison said.

To honor Sloane for her dedication to helping Thomas, and for serving as a CASA volunteer for 10 years, CASA of Lexington gave her its first ever Volunteer Achievement Award.

Sloane was nominated for the award by CASA of Lexington Program Manager Jenifer Bahr, who supervised Sloane on her case.

“Kelley has gone above and beyond as a CASA volunteer,” Bahr said. “Kelley was not only a consistent presence in (Thomas’) life, she never stopped advocating for his best interest. She maintained consistent contact with everyone involved in the case and was not afraid to disagree with a recommendation when she knew it would not be what was best for the child.”

CASA volunteers are trained community members who typically spend 5-10 hours a month advocating for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers visit with their assigned children regularly, talk to adults involved in the children’s lives and provide reports and recommendations to the judge on the case.

CASA volunteers often gather information no one else has the time to gather. Their reports help judges order more services and return children to safe permanent homes.

Sloane, who is currently taking a deserved break from volunteering, was presented with her Volunteer Achievement Award at a swearing in for new CASA volunteers May 24. The new volunteers had just completed their initial 30-hour training.

Jamison said Sloane logged more than 450 hours of volunteer work throughout the eight years she was appointed to advocate for Thomas.

“Those are just the documented hours,” Jamison said, adding that Sloane certainly contributed many more hours that didn’t get counted.

“Kelley was the only constant this young man had through his journey,” Jamison said.

While accepting the award, Sloane told the new CASA volunteers waiting to be sworn in that they were setting off on a “very rewarding journey” that is also “at times very difficult.”

“You’re going to see a lot that is heartbreaking sometimes,” she said. “And sometimes you’re going to feel like you can’t do everything you want to do.”

But, she added, if you stick with it, the rewards of serving as a CASA volunteer are priceless.

Sloane said she was recently visiting Thomas, who remains a close friend even after his case closed with a successful adoption.

“He said, ‘You know, I’m not sure I ever told you this, but I just want you to know how important you are to me, that you have followed me everywhere I’ve been.”

Sloane encouraged the new volunteers to also be there for children who need to know someone cares about them.

“You are always doing more than you probably think you are,” she said.