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CASA of Northeast Louisiana

@casaofnela

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CASA of NELA is a division of The Center for Children & Families. #changeachildsstory
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Last week, we had the pleasure of visiting CASA of Northeast Louisiana (NELA) at their office in Monroe as part of our annual Quality Improvement site visits! 💙❤ Serving children and families across 11 parishes - Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll - CASA of NELA plays an important role in ensuring children in foster care have a voice and a dedicated advocate looking out for their best interests. During our visit, we had the opportunity to connect with program staff and discuss volunteer recruitment and supervision, program standards, organizational goals, and opportunities for continued growth. These conversations help us better understand the unique needs of local programs and identify ways Louisiana CASA can continue providing meaningful resources, guidance, and support. We are grateful for CASA of NELA's dedication to children and families across Northeast Louisiana and for the opportunity to work together to strengthen advocacy throughout our statewide network. 📌 Learn more about all of our local CASA programs at www.louisianacasa.org/local-programs
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Congrats to Louisiana's newest CASA training facilitators ❤️💙 Last week, Louisiana CASA hosted Training of Facilitators (TOF) in Covington, LA. Led by Master Facilitator and Louisiana CASA's Director of Member Services, Stephanie Breeden LMSW, this training prepares staff to lead the pre-service course for future CASA volunteers. These training facilitators are now ready to help train advocates who will make a difference in the lives of children across Louisiana! Ciara Mitchell, Child Advocacy Services Dana Fennell, Capital Area CASA Alyssa Clement, Child Advocacy Services Sarah Charrier, CASA of NELA Kathleen Bahm, CASA of NELA Charity McAfoose, Child Advocacy Services Melissa Berghausen, Child Advocacy Services Cori Bonner, CASA of NELA Emily Page, Children's Advocacy Network Avah Videgaray, Child Advocacy Services
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Earlier this month, Louisiana CASA hosted a training in Monroe, LA on the newly developed Child Well-being Assessment for Region 4 CASA staff. This training is part of our ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Initiative, which aims to elevate child advocacy across the state through evidence-based and data-informed practices. Designed for staff who supervise CASA volunteers, the training focused on how to integrate the updated assessment into case management workflows and how to ensure volunteers are effectively trained to use this tool in their advocacy. By equipping staff with these resources, we’re laying the groundwork for more consistent, informed, and impactful advocacy for children in foster care. Louisiana CASA’s CQI Initiative, launched in 2024, represents a long-term commitment to improving outcomes for children by using data to inform practice, build accountability, and drive meaningful change. Through initiatives like this, we’re ensuring that every child’s voice is not only heard, but truly understood. 💙❤
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Please join us in congratulating the recipients of the 2026 Louisiana CASA Awards of Excellence! 💙 Each year, these awards recognize individuals across our statewide network who go above and beyond in their commitment to advocating for children and families. From dedicated volunteers and staff to outstanding community partners and leaders, today we had the privilege of celebrating the people making a lasting impact in communities across Louisiana. We are so grateful for the passion, compassion, and hard work each of these honorees brings to the CASA mission every single day. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients, your dedication truly makes a difference and continues to inspire us! Staff Member of the Year: Beth Wilcox, CASA West CenLa Director of the Year: Keri Foust, CASA of Northeast Louisiana, The Center for Children and Families DCFS Staff of the Year: Precious Mouton, CASA of SoLA, Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Board Member on the Year: Kathy Mitton, Volunteers for Youth Justice Heart of Advocacy: Ja’Nika Stanley, Capital Area CASA Judge of the Year: Hon. J. Kevin Kimball, CASA of the 18th JDC Advocate of the Year: James Barse, CASA Jefferson Legislator of the Year: Senator Gerald Boudreaux, CASA of St. Landry-Evangeline, CASA of SoLA
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It doesn't take a perfect schedule to change a child's life—just a willing heart to show up. For Kristopher Kelley, that moment came during Child Abuse Prevention Month a couple years back, when awareness turned into action. What started as "a couple hours a month" quickly became something much deeper. Recently featured in BayouLife Magazine, Kristopher's story is a powerful reminder that even the busiest lives can make room for something meaningful. "You're not really giving your time… you're imparting opportunity to a child who needs it desperately." With a full, busy life running mutliple community initiatives and our local West Monroe - West Ouachita Camber of Commerce, Kristopher still chooses to show up. To advocate. To be consistent. To stand in the gap for a child who needs someone in their corner. And when asked why he chose to do this, his answer said everything: Because someone once showed up for him. This is what CASA is all about—ordinary people making an extraordinary impact. 💙 You don't have to have a perfect schedule to make a difference. You just have to be willing to show up. Become a voice for a child who needs one. Stand with us. Click the link in our bio to learn more! #CASAVolunteer #StandForHope #ChildAdvocacy #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #BeTheDifference
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We held the Ouachita Parish Civic Engagement Institute for Youth last week @oplib: Ollie Burns Memorial Branch, and we are excited to share that it was another incredible success! This two-day event is designed to engage students in the democratic process and teach best practices for civic engagement. Students worked hard to develop thoughtful proposals for change and presented them to a panel of local community leaders. We were proud to welcome students from Carroll High School and West Monroe High School. A special thank you to our guest speakers Liz Gaught from @casaofnela and Shelia Kay Downhour from @ouachitagreen, who shared valuable insight with students on advocacy, accountability and community impact. We also appreciate the expert presenters who led discussions on healthy relationships, peer pressure, digital addiction, body positivity and mental health: Mallary Dunn and Kylie Dennis from our Counseling & Family Development Center, Christine Oliveaux from our domestic violence program, Jessica Marchand from Family Solutions, and Shymika Turner from Core Counseling. Finally, we are grateful to our panelists Ashley Ellis from @louisianadeltacc, Heather Coleman from @unitedwaynela, and monroecityschoolsla Superintendent Sam Moore, III, for lending their time and expertise to support these student presentations. We are proud of these students and the way they are already stepping up as informed, engaged members of their community.
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the last full month of school @ulmonroe In light of this, we are hosting an event all about awareness called Children’s Chance: Champions for Children. This event will take place at the ULM Library Terrace from 10-12 on Monday, April 27th. We will have @ulmpresidentcarriecastille share about how our school advocates for children, two guest speakers who will share the current facts and statistics for child abuse in our area and prevention methods, and several different local advocacy organizations you can connect with! Enjoy a free brunch as well! Reserve your spot today by scanning the QR code, by going to either our Facebook or Instagram bio, or by using this link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DDuWkDCw-0SpWp41mvT2aLauvWQF4kxMnSDpbTkPOcRUMlpPOTEwWE41WlMyTTBERFkxRExWTFFERi4u
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This week, Louisiana CASA's Director of Member Services, Stephanie Breeden, LMSW, has been in Monroe training the CASA of Northeast Louisiana team! The two-day Advocate Supervisor Training equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively guide CASA volunteers, ensure compliance with National CASA Standards and Louisiana statute, maintain accurate data and records, and prepare advocates for court involvement and testimony. The training emphasizes best practices in coaching volunteers to be the most effective advocates possible, strengthening role clarity and supporting high-quality advocacy. It highlights the importance of human connection in building rapport, which shapes how supervisors engage with and support their team of advocates serving as voices for children. A key focus is exploring the “why” behind child welfare work, helping participants connect their purpose to their practice, fostering motivation, passion, and a deeper understanding of common procedures and expectations. Participants also engage in practical application through real-case scenarios and exercises to build confidence in supervision, documentation, and courtroom preparation. As the statewide association, Louisiana CASA is proud to support our local programs with the training, resources, and guidance they need to ensure every child has strong, effective advocacy. We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate and help our local programs continue to grow and thrive! 💙❤
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So many new CASA volunteers were sworn in last month! ❤ These new volunteers were sworn in across Louisiana, each ready to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care! These advocates bring hope, compassion, and commitment to ensuring every child in foster care has a voice in court and a caring adult by their side. 📣 Meet all of our new volunteers using the link in our bio!
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Congrats to our new training facilitators ❤️💙 Last week, Louisiana CASA hosted Training of Facilitators (TOF) in Alexandria, LA. Led by Master Facilitator, Stephanie Breeden LMSW, this training prepares staff to lead the pre-service course for future CASA volunteers. These training facilitators are now ready to help train advocates who will make a difference in the lives of children across Louisiana! Lanna Pylant, CASA of Northeast Louisiana Kenyatta Breaux-Coleman, CASA of the 18th JDC Victoria Davis, CASA West CenLa Sherri Wolfe, CASA of Northeast Louisiana Asha Gibson, Plaquemines Community CARE Center Ali Kinberger, Children's Advocacy Network Bellah Perkins, Children's Advocacy Network
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This week Louisiana CASA brought together leaders from every local CASA program across the state for our Executive Leadership Workshop in Baton Rouge. 💙 This full day of connection and collaboration included inspiring leadership insights, meaningful discussions with state partners, and opportunities to align and learn together as a statewide network. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to such an energizing and productive day focused on strengthening advocacy for children and families across Louisiana. 🔗 Read the full recap and view photos from the workshop: link in bio. A huge thank you to our incredible speakers and partners for joining us and sharing their insight: Rebecca Harris Louisiana DCFS Secretary, Haley Williams Louisiana DCFS Deputy Secretary, Jacquise “JT” Terry Empower 225, Jolie Williamson Governor Jeff Landry's Office of Programs and Planning, Storm Ehlers Deputy Judicial Administrator with the Louisiana Supreme Court, and Mohannad Kalboneh with the Louisiana Supreme Court CASA Assistance Program. We’re grateful for your partnership and collaboration!
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It’s here! 🎙️ Link in Bio Today’s episode dives into the story behind The Christmas Project — a mission that now reaches over 1,000 children across Louisiana and Mississippi each holiday season. Dr. Matthew Nappier and Chris Ramsey open up about leadership, compassion, and the moments that define why this work matters. If you’re looking for something meaningful to listen to today, start here. Now live on all platforms — listen today.
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