Tener 21 años o más
Completar un proceso de selección
Comprometerse a realizar 30 horas de formación previa al servicio
Asistir a audiencias judiciales y redactar informes.
Ofrezca su voluntariado aproximadamente de 10 a 15 horas al mes.
Tener 21 años o más
Completar un proceso de selección
Comprometerse a realizar 30 horas de formación previa al servicio
Asistir a audiencias judiciales y redactar informes.
Ofrezca su voluntariado aproximadamente de 10 a 15 horas al mes.
Tener 21 años o más
Completar un proceso de selección
Comprometerse a realizar 30 horas de formación previa al servicio
Asistir a audiencias judiciales y redactar informes.
Ofrezca su voluntariado aproximadamente de 10 a 15 horas al mes.
Our Values
At Lincoln County CASA, our values guide everything we do. They shape how we advocate, how we serve families, and how we support the children who need us most. These principles reflect our commitment to integrity, compassion, and excellence in every case and every community we serve.
Misión
Defender los mejores intereses de los niños abusados y abandonados en el condado de Lincoln a través de defensores voluntarios capacitados, garantizando que cada niño tenga un hogar seguro, permanente y amoroso.
Visión
Una comunidad donde cada niño en el sistema de cuidado temporal y judicial es escuchado, valorado y apoyado por un voluntario dedicado de CASA.
Misión y Visión de CASA
10K+
Volunteer hours donated in service of local children.
10
Active Advocates currently changing lives in Lincoln County.
100+
Children served by CASA volunteers.
IMPACTO
La diferencia que hacemos juntos
Desde nuestra fundación, Lincoln County CASA ha servido con orgullo a los niños más vulnerables de nuestra comunidad, garantizando que tengan a alguien a su lado en cada paso del camino.
Cada estadística representa una historia, un niño y un futuro más brillante.
NUESTRA HISTORIA
Cómo empezó todo
El movimiento CASA (Defensores Especiales Designados por el Tribunal) surgió en Seattle, Washington, en 1977, cuando un juez de un tribunal de menores expresó su preocupación por el hecho de que los tribunales estaban decidiendo el destino de los niños retirados de sus hogares sin suficiente información. Esto inspiró la creación de un programa donde voluntarios comunitarios capacitados podían recopilar información, hablar con personas involucradas en la vida del niño y presentar recomendaciones bien fundamentadas al tribunal.
A partir de esa primera iniciativa, CASA ha crecido hasta convertirse en una red nacional de más de 955 programas en 49 estados, cada uno basado en la creencia de que todo niño tiene derecho a un hogar seguro y permanente.
CASA del Condado de Lincoln se fundó con ese mismo propósito: garantizar que ningún niño que se enfrente a abuso, negligencia o a las dificultades del sistema judicial tenga que afrontarlo solo. Nuestros voluntarios son designados por un juez de menores para defender el interés superior de los niños que han sido retirados de hogares inseguros, a menudo en casos de colocación en hogares delicados y complejos.
A diferencia de los trabajadores sociales sobrecargados que pueden gestionar de 10 a 20 casos a la vez, un voluntario de CASA del Condado de Lincoln suele centrarse en un solo caso a la vez. Esto le permite conocer de verdad al niño, a su familia y sus circunstancias: hablar con todas las personas que puedan aportar información valiosa, revisar todos los expedientes y asistir a todas las audiencias judiciales y multidisciplinarias.
Como parte oficial del proceso judicial, los defensores de CASA actúan junto con los tutores ad litem y los trabajadores sociales, pero defienden exclusivamente el interés superior del niño. Se convierten en una presencia constante y confiable en la vida del niño, presentando informes formales al tribunal con recomendaciones fundamentadas y basadas en hechos, destinadas a asegurar hogares seguros, estables y permanentes.
A lo largo de los años, nuestra organización ha crecido gracias a voluntarios apasionados, personal comprometido y el generoso apoyo de la comunidad. Hoy, seguimos capacitando y empoderando a Defensores Especiales Designados por el Tribunal, quienes trabajan incansablemente para garantizar que cada niño al que atendemos sea visto, escuchado y valorado.
NUESTRO EQUIPO
Conozca a las personas detrás de la misión
Nuestro dedicado equipo de personal y miembros de la junta garantiza que CASA continúe sirviendo a los niños con compasión, integridad y compromiso inquebrantable.
My Why:
Although I have not always worked with CASA, I have consistently been passionate about advocating for the welfare of children and ensuring they have a voice in the legal system. Over the past 29 years in the child welfare field, I have seen the importance of having someone stand beside children during such a vulnerable time.
My journey with CASA began as a Volunteer Coordinator in Cheyenne County, and today I serve as the Executive Director in Lincoln County. In both roles, I have witnessed firsthand the powerful impact CASA Advocates have on children’s lives. The relationships they build often extend beyond the courtroom, providing stability, encouragement, and hope.
Too often, a CASA Advocate is the only consistent adult in a child’s life—a trusted presence who shows up time and again. That consistency is life-changing, and it’s why I believe so deeply in CASA’s mission.
My Why:
I chose to become a CASA advocate because I believe every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and valued—especially during times of uncertainty. So many children in the foster care system face challenges no child should have to go through alone. I wanted to be someone who could stand up for them, help make their voice heard, and ensure their best interests are at the center of every decision. Being a CASA isn’t just about supporting a child—it’s about showing them that their life matters, and that someone truly cares.
My Why:
The predominant reason for becoming involved with CASA was recognizing the importance of children having an actual voice within their experience as they move through the child welfare system. My original education was as an elementary school teacher and found it heartbreaking that the child may not understand or be able to express what their opinions are or what they prefer to have happen. Even if what they prefer isn't in their best interests, it is important for any person to at least feel the opportunity to be heard and that they have some ability to impact what is happening within their lives. As well, it is important to be able to recognize what the CASA advocate believes is in the best interests of the child, even if it differs from anyone else involved in the case. It is a vital role and I am so glad to be able to support this worthy endeavor on behalf of the children Lincoln County CASA supports.
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Shari Cecil
Vice Chair
My Why:
Because every child deserves to have someone who will fight for them.
Margaret Jackson
Secretary / Treasurer
My Why:
P. Price
Board Member
My Why:
As a retired teacher, I’m a life long advocate for children and CASA has been a great way to continue working for the welfare of children in our community.
Kelly Hughes
Board Member
My Why:
Every child should have a voice. CASA is that voice.
Derek Beck
Board Member
My Why:
I am happy to be involved with CASA in Lincoln County. There are far too many children in the foster system locally who need a voice for them. Our board works hard to make sure we can find quality people in our community who will donate their time to visiting foster homes and reporting back to the Judge in charge of the case, on behalf of the child. These kids need a voice on their behalf, not just a case worker.
Lynnette Niles
Board Member
My Why:
Everyone deserves to have someone in their corner.
Kira Paben
Board Member
My Why:
I came to the board as a former foster parent. My kids were in seven different homes before ours. My husband was the teacher of oldest and that is how we got placement, because of that relationship my husband had a connection with the kids and we were able to be the voice of our kids. Our kids didn’t have a CASA advocate but we stepped into that role with the case worker and the boys town worker. The kids in foster care need someone that will be their voice that way the kids don’t have the guilt of saying they don’t want to go back to their parents. The CASA advocate is a role that is vital to helping these kids with what they want and what is best for them.
John Stadler
Board Member
My Why:
Children deserve to have a chance to be a part the court involvement with having someone who can navigate that for them.
JJ Connelly
Board Member
My Why:
Kids that go into the foster care system typically come from bad situations. They deserve a voice for them. Not what the court wants, not what their foster parents want, or what their parents want, but they want and need.
