together we will
The mission of CASA of the Cheaha 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 Cheaha Region by providing them with a caring and competent trained volunteer.
CASA of the Cheaha Region
Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Cheaha 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 the counties of St. Clair, Talladega, and Calhoun 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 Cheaha Region serves 3 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 Cheaha Region
History
Leadership
Board of Directors 2024
Board Chairperson
Andrew Green
Vice-Chairperson
Chief Marcus Wood
Board Treasurer
Jeremy Slayton
Board Secretary
Outgoing Chair
Cheryl Bragg
Board Members: Amber Wilson Angela Brooks Natalie Lindell
CASA of The Cheaha Region Staff
Executive Director
Laura Miller
email »
334-610-6559
Assistant Director
Cynthia Brown
email »
334-332-1854
Advocate Coordinator
Shay Campbell
email »
256-283-6177
Advocate Coordinator
Shanna Boot
email »
205-520-4250
Have you decided where you will be on December 15th and secured your tickets to this magical afternoon with our nationally recognized Santa, our up to no good Grinch, Buddy the Elf, crafts, treats, professional photography, and more! Join us as we fundraise for children victim to abuse and/or neglect and change lives! We will be checking your name on the nice list at the door! See you soon!
Rumor has it Mrs Claus might be there telling Elf stories
Stephanie Jane Hartdegen
Today, we celebrate SAMCO’s SIXTH generous donation to Cheaha CASA. When Sam Mousa first reached out wanting to join our fight against child abuse, we were serving roughly 150 children struggling during a pandemic. With great thanks to SAMCO’s continued commitment and support, Cheaha CASA served 382 children this year! Thank you SAMCO for changing so many children’s stories over the last few years. Please, be intentional by doing business with businesses where children matter!
This week, we were at DHR for an ISP meeting where CASA was invited to join the child’s legal team around a table and discuss what’s in the child’s best interest with the other professionals assigned to the kid.
Sitting in the waiting room, I met a little boy and his foster family waiting on another ISP and a supervised visit he was having with his momma. I offered to help them by asking who their worker was so I could connect them. The foster mom told me the DHR worker’s name, and told me thank you that she was already on her way to get them for their meeting. The little boy became anxious in his seat making sure she knew, “and Vanda is coming, too. Don’t forget Mrs. Vanda is going to be here too. Probably any minute.” His eyes were glued to the door.
The foster mother saw my CASA name tag and asked if I was with CASA, too. Before I could get out of my mouth that I was the CASA on another case at the same time, this little guy jerked his little eyes right around to me and let everyone know, “.. yeah but she’s not Vanda but she will be here because she said she was.”
I giggled and reassured him that I wasn’t taking her place. The time came and his sweet social worker grabbed the family from the waiting room and started them down the hall while she held the automatic locked door open for them.
It wasn’t long before he turned around on a swivel and yelled, “hold that door because Vanda is coming!!”
“Who is Vanda?” The caseworker asked.
“Well that’s my CASA worker. And she’s going to be here.”
Shortly after, Vanda came in on two wheels like she always does. She was able to be a nearby, warm body offering both support and comfort for this mom and child who just need a little help at reunification, and we think our corner of the world is a little bit better for it.
Dozens of more children are waiting on another advocate, and we’re holding the door for more volunteers to join us. This is our weekly reminder that all it takes is one person to make a difference, and we’re thankful this CASA is.
Vanda Holt is my hero too, little dude.
Thank you guys for your confidence in me. I went over to one of my foster homes last night to calm down a little one that was hyperventilating. He is broken. He can’t understand in his little mind why he can’t be with his mother. A child should not have to carry this burden on his own. I talked to his foster family tonight and he seems to be better.
We all need more "Vanda's" in our counties.. thank you! 🥰
I love you Vanda and I know you have a heart for these children.
Y'all are doing amazing work for these kids!
Vanda Holt is pretty awesome ❤️
Vanda Holt for the win❤️🙌