CASA AWARENESS DAY: JANUARY 22, 2026 | | |
CASA Awareness Day is coming on January 22, 2026! On this day, Awareness Ambassadors – composed of CASA staff, volunteers, board members, and local supporters across the state – will activate their networks to share the impact and mission of the CASA program, inviting new community members to stay engaged with their CASA programs.
On CASA Awareness Day, participants are asked to wear red shoes, as well as a CASA-provided sticker, to help bring attention to the day. Additionally, participants are encouraged to take photos during the day and post on social media, helping to further expand the reach.
If you are interested in learning more about CASA Awareness Day and the Awareness Ambassador opportunity, please connect with your local CASA program to ensure you receive additional information as it becomes available.
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Thank you to the donors who supported Georgia CASA for the summer (June - August 2025). Because of our donors' generosity, over 8,100 children in foster care in Georgia last fiscal year were assigned a CASA volunteer to provide best-interest advocacy. Thank you, donors, for your investment in children!
Click here to view the donor listing for June 1 - August 31, 2025.
Your donation is vital! Did you know:
--The pre-service volunteer training is an investment of approximately $300 per volunteer?
--Fingerprinting of potential volunteers is approximately $850 per year for each affiliate CASA program in Georgia?
If you are not yet part of our donors, please consider giving online here! Gifts of any amount, either one-time or recurring, are greatly appreciated!
| GEORGIA REPRESENTATIVE MANDI BALLINGER LEAVES LEGACY AS CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH | |
Representative Mandi Ballinger of the Georgia House of Representatives passed away on October 12 after a long battle with cancer. She was a strong advocate for children and youth and was recognized for her leadership and advocacy and appointed as Chair of the House Juvenile Justice Committee. During her four terms as a legislator, she sponsored many House resolutions recognizing the CASA organization in Georgia and always made her CASA support and involvement known in the General Assembly. Rep. Ballinger was often the first person we reached out to for legislative support or guidance.
Her professional background was in victim services, and from the beginning, she was a champion for victims, especially those of domestic violence and child abuse. She spearheaded key issues and legislation, including a long-fought campaign to “raise the age” and divert 17-year olds from adult to juvenile court proceedings. She provided a platform to educate legislators and others on key issues facing the state, children, and families. She always made time to listen to advocates and elevated the efforts and needs of juvenile court judges.
Additionally, Rep. Ballinger served as a member of the Georgia Supreme Court’s Committee on Justice for Children, among several other committee appointments, and the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of The Children’s Haven in Canton (under which CASA Cherokee operates). She was a professional colleague and friend to many in Cherokee County and beyond.
Rep. Ballinger will be greatly missed and remembered as an outstanding supporter of the CASA organization and a strong advocate for victims.
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AFFILIATE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:
DOUGHERTY COUNTY CASA
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In each issue, Georgia CASA highlights one of our affiliate CASA programs in the state. Please take a moment to read more about Dougherty County, located in the southwestern part of the state and operating for 23 years.
Tell us how many volunteers you had last year along with how many children were served. Dougherty County CASA had 65 volunteers who provided advocacy to 166 children last year.
How many CASA team members do you have? We are a small but mighty team of four: two Advocacy Supervisors, one Advocacy Director, and the Executive Director. Together, we are dedicated to supporting CASA volunteers and advocating for the children in our community.
What is the service area? Dougherty County (Albany, GA)
What is the favorite thing about your community? What Dougherty County CASA loves most about Albany is its heart and history. From its founding in 1836 along the Flint River, through its resilience during the Civil Rights Movement, to the vibrant culture that shapes our city today, Albany has always been a place of strength and community. Our CASA volunteers reflect that same dedication, giving their time and care to ensure every child has a voice and the chance to thrive.
What is a unique tradition or event your affiliate holds annually? Each year, we host a special CASA Potluck & Vision Board Party, bringing together volunteers, staff, and community supporters to share a meal, celebrate our accomplishments, and dream for the year ahead. It’s more than just food and crafts. It’s a time to connect, reflect on the impact we’ve made for children in foster care, and set intentions for the future. This tradition reminds us that while our work is serious, there’s joy and community in every step of the journey.
What is your team's favorite local spot to grab lunch or coffee? We love starting our mornings at Morning Café, where we grab coffee and can connect before a busy day. One of our board members owns the coffee shop and often supports us by catering events, bringing coffee and treats during the holidays, and hosting CASA 101 sessions. For lunch, our go-to spot is El Maya Mexican Restaurant. The food is delicious, the staff wonderful, and they graciously let us host CASA 101 events. These local partnerships remind us how much our community rallies around the children we serve.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a CASA volunteer? Becoming a CASA volunteer is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference in a child’s life. Come with an open heart, a willingness to listen, and the courage to advocate for a child who may not have anyone else speaking up for them. It can be challenging at times, but the impact you make and the trust and connection you build with the children make every moment worth it. You truly become a voice for those who need one most.
Share a recent mission moment: Recently, one of our CASA volunteers attended a child’s school meeting to ensure their needs were fully understood and met. Thanks to their advocacy, the child received additional support and resources that made a real difference in their daily life. Moments like this remind us why CASA exists: to give children a consistent voice and a caring adult in their corner, guiding them toward a brighter future.
| | BY THE NUMBERS: FISCAL YEAR 2025 IMPACT OF THE CASA ORGANIZATION IN GEORGIA | | |
Best Wishes to Michelle Barclay, Life Board Member, Upon Her Retirement from the Administrative Office of the Courts
After 30 years, Michelle Barclay retired on July 31st from the Judicial Council/ Administrative Office of the Courts as the Division Director for Communications, Children, Families and the Courts. Formerly a registered nurse, Michelle went to law school with plans to originally work in the healthcare field. However, after her experience as a summer intern at Fulton County Juvenile Court, she decided she wanted to work in the justice system, specifically in child welfare law and policy. The following summer in 1995, she was hired as an intern at the Administrative Office of the Courts and then became a staff member.
Michelle states it has been a privilege to work with mission-driven people on a daily basis. She has observed a lot of courts around the state, and is always moved by the cases, the stories, and the judges who have to make hard decisions. Additionally, Michelle and her husband Andy started the Barton Center at Emory University School of Law in the early 2000s, which is an entity dedicated to bringing about systemic policy and process changes for the benefit of the children in Georgia’s child welfare system.
Georgia CASA is so thankful for Michelle's service, coming on as a board member in 2001 and becoming a life board member in 2020, as well as her longstanding advocacy on behalf of children involved in child welfare.
Click here to read the full article about Michelle from the Georgia Courts Journal, June 2025.
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Purposeful Perspectives: Grandparents Day
"As an adopted child, I always knew I would one day open my heart to adoption. My parents’ unconditional love was a gift, and I longed to give back as I had been given."
As an organization dedicated to supporting children and families in crisis, Georgia CASA recognizes that holidays and seasonal events can be a delicate and nuanced time for many. Our board chair, Kim Harrington, shares a deeper look into what Grandparents Day means to her for this series entitled Purposeful Perspectives.
Click here to read this inspiring article.
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Coffee with CASA: Past Recordings
Coffee with CASA recordings are available to watch on LinkedIn. These informative sessions cover topics such as the volunteer experience, volunteer training, a foster parent perspective, case collaboration, building community through volunteerism, and more. Go to Georgia CASA's LinkedIn page and view past events; click register to watch other past Coffee with CASA episodes.
| | 2025 GEORGIA CASA CONFERENCE WRAP-UP | |
On Saturday, August 23, 500 CASA volunteers, board members, staff, special guests, and experts in child welfare from across the state joined together in Atlanta at the annual Georgia CASA Conference to hear inspiring speakers, learn the latest child welfare trends and best practices, and sharpen their skills in child advocacy.
The conference, which is the largest statewide CASA event, showcases the energy, excitement, and passion of the CASA network. The Opening Session included speaker Jerry Bruce, Director of the Office of the Child Advocate, as well as the awarding of the affiliate Awards of Excellence, Board Leadership Award, and CASA Champion Award.
At the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, keynote speaker Tristian Smith, a veteran, author, Emergency Management Specialist for the U.S. Department of the Air Force, and child welfare advocate, shared his story of being in more than 25 foster homes and 13 schools during his childhood and how he has drawn strength and purpose through his journey through foster care. At the luncheon, the 2025 CASA Volunteer of the Year in Georgia nominees were recognized and the winner was awarded.
During the day-long conference, attendees chose from an offering of 15 total workshops, visited with child welfare vendors, and networked with advocates, presenters, and local and state staff and board members.
Click here to view the conference photo album on our Facebook page.
Thank you to the conference sponsors:
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CASA Cherokee
2025 Established Program
Award of Excellence
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CASA of Northwest Georgia
2025 Innovative Program
Award of Excellence
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Bonnie Tappan
2025 CASA Volunteer of the Year in Georgia
(with Athens-Oconee CASA)
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Monique Johnson
2025 CASA Board Member Leadership Award
(with Coweta CASA)
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Rep. Matt Hatchett
2025 CASA Champion Award
(TLC CASA area)
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Video About The Role of a CASA Volunteer
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Interested in joining us to support CASA in Georgia?
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Support Georgia CASA through Kroger Community Rewards! Our rewards number is IY574 or search by our full name - Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates.
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Georgia CASA | 404-874-2888 | gacasa.org
In partnership with local affiliates, our goal is that every child who must enter state custody will benefit from the best interest advocacy of a trusted, consistent CASA volunteer. We remain dedicated to supporting the CASA network in the provision of CASA volunteers for every child who comes to the attention of the juvenile court due to abuse or neglect.
Member of The National CASA/GAL Association for Children
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