July Staff Recognition
Monthly Highlights of our CASA Community
Every month we recognize a few of our staff members for different achievments and milestones they've reached. This month we highlighted four individuals and invite you to read below to get to know them.
Samantha Barton
PMC / Crossover Supervisor
How long have you been with CASA?
I've been with CASA 3 years.
Fun Fact:
I have a 6 year old chi-terrier mix: Winnie.
Sam has put in a lot of extra work throughout the month of June for special programs and events. She organized and coordinated the Ignite MindShift workshop for some of our teens, and provided a lot of support for Brodie’s Closet at the end of June.
Jennifer Crippen
Advocate Supervisor
How long have you been with CASA?
I've been with CASA 3 years.
Fun Fact:
I am a huge Pitbull fan, have seen him in concert 3 times!!!!!
Jennifer has done an amazing job with her work for the Gallery of Hope. She has also been an excellent mentor/trainer to new staff.
Laci Flores
Advocate Supervisor
How long have you been with CASA?
I've been with CASA since February.
Fun Fact:
I am a HUGE Cher fan!
Laci had a particular case where a child needed a bed. She was able to locate a bed to be donated for the child and worked with the Advocate to figure out the logistics of getting the bed to the family.
Michelle Miller
Recruitment & Training Assistant
How long have you been with CASA?
I've been with CASA since April.
Fun Fact:
I really enjoy party planning and decorating!
Michelle has spent a lot of time working on out of state background checks. It normally takes up to 6 weeks to get results, but Michelle worked especially hard to research and communicate with one particular state and was able to obtain results within 2 days! Michelle is also very helpful by nature and always treats new volunteers with patience and kindness.
In March 2025, Child Protective Services removed four young children, just 7, 4, 2, and 3 months old, from their mother’s care. This difficult step followed ongoing concerns about neglect, largely connected to the mother’s struggle with substance use, even during her most recent pregnancy. Although CPS offered support through Family Based Safety Services, the mother was unable to engage in the help provided. The children’s father was also unable to support them due to his own substance abuse and his incarceration in Bexar County Jail. Before removal, the children’s basic medical and educational needs were going unmet. They had been moved repeatedly between their mother and other relatives, leaving them without the stability, routine, and nurturing supervision every child deserves. When CASA Staff Advocate, JoAnn Herring, was assigned the case in April 2025, she immediately reached out to both kinship caregivers to understand the children’s needs and how to best support the families stepping in to care for them. JoAnn quickly learned that the paternal grandmother, who lovingly took in some of the children, was struggling financially and facing barriers due to limited English proficiency. To ensure she wasn’t facing these challenges alone, JoAnn submitted a CFE (Collaborative Family Engagement) referral and personally provided translation support so the grandmother could access services with dignity and understanding. Throughout the case, JoAnn has witnessed moments where cultural sensitivity was lacking, and personal biases influenced important decisions; often at the expense of what was best for the children. Despite these obstacles, she continues to advocate steadfastly and compassionately for the children to remain with the kinship caregivers who have opened their homes and hearts to provide safety, consistency, and love. Although the case is not yet over, Joann’s story demonstrates that CASA’s advocacy reaches beyond the children themselves, strengthening the village of care and support surrounding them, because CASA wants children to be safe, to thrive, and to have their overall well-being protected.
Johnathan Cobb
