Pictured is Kelsey Howard, CASA Executive Director.

After three years of advocating for children as a volunteer, Kelsey Howard is stepping into a larger role with the local Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.

Now serving as executive director, Howard is focused on expanding services and making sure more children navigating the court system have someone speaking solely for them.

Howard began her role in mid-December after spending three years volunteering with CASA. She replaces the previous director Melissa Sproveri, who left the position to pursue other opportunities.

“I really enjoyed volunteering,” Howard said. “It’s definitely a tough job, especially for volunteers, because they’re face-to-face with the kids.”

CASA is a volunteer-based program that provides advocates for children involved in the court system, particularly in dependency and child welfare cases. Volunteers are appointed by court order and serve as an independent voice for children who have been removed from their homes.

CASA advocates are not aligned with child services or the courts, the director explained. Instead, their role is to represent the child’s wishes and best interests.

“We have the chance to get to know what the kids want and what their wishes are,” Howard said. It could literally be that they want a Reese’s Cup, and we’ll put that in the court order. We’re their voice in the courtroom.”

The new director said she decided to apply for the position after repeatedly returning to the job posting.

“I wanted the opportunity to do more, especially for kids and for the community,” Howard said.

In her previous role at Beacon Light, Howard managed a department and saw firsthand how programs can positively impact both children and the broader community.

Currently, the local CASA program has nine volunteers serving 11 children. However, 15 children have been court-ordered to receive a CASA advocate, leaving several without an assigned volunteer due to limited staffing.

One of Howard’s main goals as executive director is to grow the program by recruiting more volunteers and increasing public awareness. The nonprofit operates primarily on a single grant and donations, which limits expansion.

“A lot of people don’t really know who we are or what we do,” Howard said. “Once the community has more knowledge of CASA, then volunteers and support will come. That’s my main goal.”

CASA volunteers must be at least 21 years old, pass background checks, and complete an application and interview process. The time commitment averages about 10 hours a month.

“I’m still in contact with the child I worked with as a volunteer,” Howard said. “That kid has had a huge impact on me, and I know that I had a huge impact on them.”

A lifelong Warren County resident, the director graduated from Warren High School. Howard lives with her partner and has five children. She said her personal experiences and deep ties to the community motivate her work.

“I just want to get the overall message of CASA out there,” she said.

Those interested in volunteering can find more information on the CASA website.