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Who We Are

Louisiana CASA is the statewide association for the 18 local CASA programs. We raise awareness of the need for CASA across our state and provide support, training, resources, and oversight to maintain high-quality programs that serve children’s best interests. We advocate for legislation that benefits children in foster care and the CASA volunteers who work on their behalf.

Mission

Our mission is to build, support, and advocate for a statewide network of Court-Appointed volunteers to speak for abused and neglected children.

Vision

Our vision is that every Louisiana

child be assured a safe and permanent home.

Louisiana CASA

The Louisiana Court Appointed Special Advocates Association is one of 49 state organizations across the United States supporting local CASA programs as they serve youth in foster care through training, advocacy, connection, awareness, and support. Louisiana CASA is a member of the National CASA Association.

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Training

We serve local CASA programs through technical assistance, training opportunities, materials, and resources to address the educational, health, and other needs of youth in foster care.

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Advocacy

We serve communities by providing leadership at the state level, communicating the CASA perspective, and advocating for child welfare policies that benefit youth in foster care and the CASA volunteers by their side.

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Connection

We serve CASA volunteers and program staff by facilitating opportunities for networking, collaboration, professional development, and sharing of best practices. We are stronger together.

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Awareness

We serve the CASA cause by amplifying the voice of local CASA programs through marketing and communication, community collaboration, public engagements, and networking.

Local CASA Programs

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At the local level, the local CASA programs recruit, train and supervise Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers to advocate for children involved in the child welfare system and improve their well-being.

 

There are 18 local CASA programs who serve all 64 parishes in Louisiana.

“CASA volunteers play a unique role on behalf of some of our most vulnerable children. Their commitment, vigilance and persistence offer hope where there has been little.”

– Marian Wright Edelman, Founder of the Children’s Defense Fund

Leadership

Staff

Amanda Moody

Executive Director
amoody@louisianacasa.org

Stephanie Breeden

Director of Member Services
sbreeden@louisianacasa.org

Morgan Washington

Director of Outreach & Recruitment
mwashington@louisianacasa.org

Wanda Joseph

Support Staff
wjoseph@louisianacasa.org

Board of Directors

Benjamin Huxen
Chair

Municipal Police Employee’s Retirement System
East Baton Rouge Parish

Jacqueline Nash-Grant
Vice Chair

Southern University Law Center
East Baton Rouge Parish

Larry Attenhofer
Treasurer 

Hancock Whitney Ban
Lafayette Parish

Teresa Lawrence
Secretary

Delta Administrative
Services, LLC.
Jefferson Parish

Anthony Celestine

Office of Juvenile Justice
Calcasieu Parish

Herman Brister

East Baton Rouge
Parish School System
East Baton Rouge Parish

Judge Angela Claxton

6th Judicial District Judge
Madison Parish

Brent Latin

Young Professionals Entertainment
Caddo Parish

Sherry Spivey Guarisco

Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families
East Baton Rouge Parish

Darwin Jones

Caddo Parish
Sheriff's Office
Caddo Parish

Karen Levo Lucas

United States Attorney’s
Office, Retired
Bossier Parish

Jason Wall

Rosehill Construction
East Baton Rouge Parish

Deron Patin

Louisiana Office of
Juvenile Justice
Livingston Parish

Anselmo Rodriguez

Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Louisiana
Ascension Parish

Brett Cloyd

Brett A Cloyd & Associates, 
CASA Volunteer, CASA of NELA

Leteya Scott

Department of Children
and Family Services
Calcasieu Parish

Michelle Shelton

US Center for SafeSport
Ascension Parish

Anita Tennant-Mack

The Law Office of
Anita T. Mack
Ouachita Parish

Renita Williams Thomas

In Loving Arms Pediatric
Day Health Center
East Baton Rouge Parish

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Core Values

  • We value the worth of children and families.

  • We value a child’s right to a safe and permanent home.

  • We value and support local CASA programs in their efforts to serve abused and neglected children through best practices and quality advocacy

  • We value policy and practices that support the priorities and needs of abused and neglected children

  • We value responsible stewardship of association resources to provide services to the CASA network

  • We value the strength and uniqueness that defines the cultural and racial diversity of Louisiana’s communities and families

  • We value the opportunity to promote and participate in collaborative efforts which support the best interest and welfare of all of Louisiana’s children and their families.

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