Every year in Douglas County, Kansas, dozens of children ages 0-18 are removed from their homes and placed under court protection for their own safety. Some of these children are victims of violence, psychological torment, and sexual abuse. Others have been neglected or abandoned. They are confused, frightened and uncertain about their future. Many are placed in foster care. Douglas County CASA is dedicated to making sure these children get the attention they deserve. With the help of specially trained volunteers, Court Appointed Special Advocates, we advocate for the best interests of these vulnerable children. Douglas County CASA helps children find safe, permanent and loving homes.
Susan grew up in Topeka before heading south for a BA in history from Baylor University and a JD from the University of Oklahoma. After moving to Lawrence with her husband in 1996, she worked in the not-for-profit sector including serving as the Director of the Douglas County Community Health Improvement Project and as the Director of Education at Plymouth Church. When not working, she enjoys volunteering in the Lawrence community, hiking, learning Spanish and reading non-fiction. Her very favorite activity though is being Mom to her four children. She is excited to be a part of the CASA team providing support and hope for children in need of care.
Amy has a background in science as well as nonprofit work. She moved to Lawrence to complete her Master's degree from KU; she previously earned her Bachelor's degree in South Carolina and worked at a natural history museum in Georgia. Amy is honored to maintain the Douglas County CASA office so children in Douglas County can find loving homes, and greatly enjoys working with the staff, volunteers and board members at Douglas County CASA. She lives in Lawrence with her husband and pet gecko, and enjoys painting, watching movies, and hunting for fossils.
Amy’s background is in law and social work. Prior to coming to CASA, she worked in a variety of settings, including as a home study provider for families adopting children with special needs for Kansas Children’s Service League, as an assistant research professor at the Beach Center on Families & Disability at the University of Kansas, and as an assistant revisor at the Kansas Revisor of Statutes Office. Amy is passionate about advocating for children and families so that policymakers and service providers are more responsive to their needs. CASA has been an ideal place for her to utilize and expand her knowledge and skills. When she’s not working, Amy enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her two adult daughters.
Margie grew up in suburban Kansas City and has been living in Lawrence since her undergraduate days at KU. With a major in secondary education, she stayed at KU to earn a master’s and doctorate degree. Before coming to CASA in 2015, most of her professional work was in education; she has taught at every level from pre-kindergarten to post-graduate. After staying home to raise her three unbelievable children and working as a freelance writer, she returned to the real world, which she defined as having to get dressed every day. While the work CASA does to advocate for the community’s most vulnerable population can be emotionally draining, working with a talented group of coworkers and exceptional group of volunteers keeps her buoyed.
India grew up in Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence High School. After working for local businesses, she decided to start her education journey by attending Johnson County Community College and transferred into the University of Kansas's social welfare program with a focus on families and mothers during the postpartum period. She will receive her Masters in 2025. When not attending school and working with the amazing staff and volunteers at CASA, she spends her days with her preschool-aged son and husband hiking, gardening, visiting museums, and enjoying the occasional family jam session.
Katie has a long history of working with children and families, from owning an in-home daycare to helping low-income families acquire car seats to managing a domestic violence shelter. Her passion has always been ensuring children’s safety and success. This passion led Katie to adopt two boys in 2023, with plans to adopt more in the future. She enjoys trying new coffee, eating chips and queso, and traveling as much as possible with her wife and two boys.
Brooksie grew up in Hutchinson and graduated from Friends University. Previously working at CASA from 2011-2016 as both the administrative assistant then a volunteer supervisor, she is grateful for the opportunity to return to work with the remarkable people here and delights in being able to call Kansas home once again. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, experiencing all four seasons, reading fiction, and drinking seasonal beverages.
A Northwest Arkansas native, Scharla moved to Lawrence in 2012. She worked as a teaching assistant at KU while completing her MA in History and a graduate certificate in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. After graduating, Scharla became involved in the nonprofit sector, primarily through Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, Kansas, where she served in leadership roles from 2015 to 2020. Scharla joined Douglas County CASA, Inc.as a Volunteer Advocate in 2018, where she found a passion for child welfare. She transitioned from volunteer to staff member in September 2020 and enjoys collaborating with her co-workers and volunteers and taking on other projects to help the program thrive. Scharla lives in Lawrence with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and two cats.
Erick has served as a licensed social worker with a specialization in administrative and advocacy practice for over 15 years. Throughout his career, Erick has supported programs that serve children and their families. Coming to Douglas County CASA as their Executive Director in July 2019 has felt like coming home, bringing together his experiences related to program design and evaluation, early childhood, mental health, substance abuse, and child welfare. Erick lives in Lawrence with his wife, daughter, and new baby son.
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