together we will
The mission of CASA of the Wiregrass Region is to be the voice for children who have been victims of abuse and/or neglect. Our Vision is to serve every child in the Wiregrass by providing them with a caring and competent trained volunteer.
CASA of the Wiregrass Region
Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Wiregrass Region will provide abused, neglected or abandoned children with a highly trained volunteer to advocate for the child’s best interest before family courts in Houston County in the State of Alabama. Our volunteers will be recruited, screened and trained by paid staff. Our staff and volunteers will then work in conjunction with the judges, lawyers, and social workers to help ensure children receive appropriate care and support while navigating the court, child welfare, and foster care systems.
Volunteer training and
continuing education
continuing education
Public awareness
efforts
efforts
Legislative and
governmental advocacy
governmental advocacy
CASA of the Wiregrass Region serves 2 of 21 counties in the state of Alabama that assist abused and neglected children in their communities.
You can help Change A Child’s Story by volunteering with CASA of the Wiregrass Region
History
Leadership
Board of Directors
President
Bev Arnold
Broker/Owner of Wiregrass Home Team
Vice-President
Rachel Swope
Child and Family Services
Secretary/Treasurer
Tammy Speigner
Laurel Oaks Behavioral Center
Staff
Executive Director
Adelyn Bhuiya
Adelyn became a CASA volunteer in the fall of 2015, in Fort Wayne Indiana. She has experienced “the system” from multiple perspectives: as a CASA, and in working for the Department of Child Services both in the field and on the legal team. Adelyn believes that there is nothing more important to any community than ensuring that all children have someone on their side. She considers it her absolute privilege to be a part of CASA of the Wiregrass Region. Adelyn is married and the proud mother of 2 sons and 2 daughters. Adelyn holds a BS from Indiana University and a JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
To contact her, please email abhuiya@alabamacasa.org or phone (334) 610-5450.
Advocate Coordinator
Kelsey Ristau
Kelsey interned with the CASA program from May of 2018 to July of 2018 and then remained a volunteer until she was hired as an Advocate Coordinator in April of 2019. Kelsey graduated from Troy University with a bachelor’s in human services and a minor in case management. Kelsey loves being a part of the CASA program because she loves building friendships with the children and ensuring safe permanency in a timely manner.
To contact her, please email kristau@alabamacasa.org or phone (334) 329-8443.
Advocate Coordinator
Taylor Edwards
Taylor has been with the CASA program since April of 2018 as a volunteer. She was hired as a staff member in July of 2018. Taylor studied Social Work at Troy University and was a Pre-School Teacher for three years. Taylor has always enjoyed working with children but says she has a passion for being an advocate and making a difference in their life while gaining new friendships with children and families along the way.
To contact her, please email tedwards@alabamacasa.org or phone (334) 435-8001.
What better way to kick off this Fall season than with the ultimate Fall themed date night basket?
For only $5 you can win:
🍁 A $100 gift card to David's Catfish House Dothan
🍁 $50 worth of O'Charley's VIP cards
🍁 A $40 gift card to The Salty Sammich
🍁 Couples coffee mug set
🍁 Two free meal vouchers to Zaxby's
🍁 Couples fall themed paint set
Purchase one ticket for $5, 3 for $10 or 5 for $20. All proceeds will benefit CASA of the Wiregrass Region when advocating for children who have been victims of abuse and neglect.
Payment Options:
Venmo - @CASAoftheWiregrassRegion
PayPal - abhuiya@alabamacasa.org
*When sending your payments through, be sure to include your name and how many tickets you are purchasing.
Timeline PhotosChildren are the silent victims of an opioid crisis that is tearing families apart and helping fuel a 4.4% growth in the nationwide foster system since 2012, reversing earlier progress. In some states, substance abuse and other factors are ballooning the foster population by double-digit numbers, putting a significant strain on the court and child welfare systems.
CASA volunteers provide much needed relief to our overburdened court system while ensuring that a child affected by parental opioid abuse does not have to face the future alone. Our highly trained volunteers often have a caseload of one—one child or group of siblings—which allows them to devote the personal attention necessary to truly understand the circumstances and find the best solution possible for each child.
#changeachildsstory #alabamacasa #casa #iamforthechild #opioidabuse #opioidawareness #opioidcrisis