July Staff Recognition

Monthly Highlights of our CASA Community

Every month we recognize a few of our staff members for different achievements and milestones they've reached. This month we highlighted three individuals and invite you to read below to get to know them.
Sarah Guerra
Advocate Supervisor
How long have you been with CASA?
I've been with CASA since June 2019.
Fun Fact: 
I've skydived three times.

Sarah is recognized this month for opening the most kids during the month of June! Sarah worked tirelessly to help ensure that CASA closed out the year surpassing our fiscal year goal of 1875 children in need. Thank you Sarah!
Dennis Ramsey
Advocate Supervisor
How long have you been with CASA?
I have been with CASA since 2002.
Fun Fact:
I enjoy facilitating New Volunteer training with Sarah Guerra, and preaching every Sunday on Zoom.

Dennis is recognized this month for having done a phenomenal job with applicant interviews! He is very respectful, thoughtful and compassionate. Dennis is very detailed and organized with his documents and notes, which is a huge help to the R/T department! Thank you Dennis!
Jose Guevara
Recruitment Coordinator
How long have you been with CASA?
I have been with CASA for 4 years.
Fun Fact: 
I've been involved with nonprofits from the age of 14, working at a grassroots nonprofit organization run by my best friend's mother. CASA's message means a lot to me as we have adopted in my family. Also, I'm a pretty big movie buff going down different wormholes of genres and timeframes in film. 

Jose is recognized this month for going above and beyond to ensure out of state background checks for new volunteers were finalized before end of year! He successfully managed a heavy workload while traveling to and from the office to retrieve BC results. Thank you Jose!
By bfines March 21, 2025
 In December 2023, CPS received a Priority One referral regarding a 2-year-old child named Katherine, who had been hospitalized after ingesting narcotics. Her mother, Jessica, admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamines at the time. Katherine later tested positive for amphetamines, prompting the Department to seek removal of both Katherine and her 4-year-old sister, Valerie. Their maternal grandmother expressed willingness to care for them but only if CPS became involved. CASA advocate Alfredo Concha was appointed to the case and immediately took action. He contacted the grandparents and met with the children. During that visit, he learned that while the grandparents were willing to provide temporary care, they could not commit beyond December 2024. They had already adopted the girls' older sibling, which kept them busy, and as elderly caregivers, they felt unable to raise two young children long-term. They made it clear—either Jessica would have to get her life back on track by December, or the girls would need another placement. Understanding the urgency, Alfredo used Collaborative Family Engagement tools to seek additional family members who could offer support. He built a strong working relationship with Jessica, which proved invaluable. Through collaboration with Jessica, the grandparents, CPS, and the children's attorney, Alfredo identified and addressed barriers to reunification. A primary concern was Jessica’s history of substance abuse and the risk of relapse. After completing inpatient drug treatment, Jessica chose to move in with her ex-boyfriend, Robert, and his mother, Marie. Given Robert’s history of substance abuse and their previously volatile relationship, Alfredo recommended that Robert participate in services to strengthen their family dynamic. This included undergoing a substance abuse assessment, engaging in treatment, and completing a domestic violence prevention program. Alfredo also ensured Robert and Marie were included in planning meetings. During one of these meetings, Marie expressed her willingness to take in the children and committed to caring for them regardless of Jessica and Robert’s relationship. With this new support system in place, the girls were able to return to Jessica on December 3, 2024. CPS and Alfredo closely monitored the placement for several weeks to ensure stability. By January 2025, Alfredo recommended case closure, allowing the family to move forward with their lives. During the final hearing, Jessica addressed the court, expressing her gratitude. She stated that without the support of CPS and Alfredo, she would not have been able to succeed.
By bfines March 21, 2025
Larry Rushing
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