FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andrea Bruns, State Director/CEO
abruns@kentuckycasanetwork.org
(502) 238-2154
June 7, 2023 – The Kentucky CASA Network, Inc. announces the appointment of four local CASA program directors and the state director to National CASA/GAL Association for Children’s leadership councils. The directors will serve their terms along with child welfare leaders from around the nation, playing an integral role in voicing the unique needs of nearly 900 local programs that make up the National CASA/GAL network. In 2021, the National CASA/GAL network, with its 97,920 volunteers, served more than 242,000 children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
“The National CASA/GAL Leadership Councils are a vital part of our efforts to serve more children in the foster care system, while continually improving their outcomes,” said National CASA/GAL Chief Executive Officer, Tara Lisa Perry. “We are so excited and grateful to have five Kentucky directors providing their insight and expertise as we strive to move our mission forward on behalf of all children who have experienced abuse or neglect.”
Rural Leadership Council
- Ashley Evans-Smith, Executive Director, CASA of Ohio Valley
Suburban Leadership Council
- Melynda Jamison, Executive Director, CASA of Lexington
Urban Leadership Council
- Nicky Jeffries, Executive Director, CASA of the Northern Bluegrass Region
- William Myers, President/CEO, CASA of the River Region
State Leadership Council
- Andrea Bruns, State Director/CEO, Kentucky CASA Network
National Leadership Council
- Andrea Bruns, State Director/CEO, Kentucky CASA Network
- Nicky Jeffries, Executive Director, CASA of the Northern Bluegrass Region
“Kentucky is at the forefront of transformation and reform in looking to solve the varied issues impacting child welfare,” said Andrea Bruns, State Director/CEO, Kentucky CASA Network. “We are pleased that Kentucky CASA programs have representation on all the leadership councils of our national association. We look forward to learning from our CASA colleagues nationwide and sharing the better practices that Kentucky’s CASA programs are implementing.”
About the Kentucky CASA Network
The Kentucky CASA Network is the state association for Court Appointed Special Advocates, as recognized in the Kentucky Revised Statutes, with a mission to support the development, growth, and continuation of local CASA programs in Kentucky. CASA programs recruit and train volunteers to advocate on behalf of children who have come into the court system as a result of dependency, neglect, or abuse. In 2022, 1,239 CASA volunteers advocated for 3,538 abused and neglected children statewide. Kentucky currently has 22 local CASA programs that cover nearly 90 counties. For more information, please visit www.kentuckycasanetwork.org.
About the National CASA/GAL Association for Children
The National CASA/GAL Association for Children, together with its 939 state and local programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home, and have the opportunity to thrive. The National CASA/GAL Association for Children offers leadership and support to the network of programs and leads its continued growth. CASA/GAL volunteers and staff work every day to advocate for children, youth, and families. For more information, please visit www.nationalcasagal.org.
