Our Program
CASA Program for Bracken, Fleming, and Mason Counties, Inc., was incorporated in 1998 as a 501(c)3 organization. Honorable Todd Walton II and his assistant Brenda Donahue researched the information on how to established Court Appointed Special Advocates, (CASA). With the help of many local supporters the CASA Program for Bracken, Fleming, and Mason Counties was established.
In 2021, the CASA Program for Bracken, Fleming, and Mason Counties, Inc. has expanded into Nicholas and Robertson Counties. Our Articles of Incorporation has been amended and we are now the Buffalo Trace CASA Program, Inc. CASA believes that every child needs at least one caring, consistent adult to look out for their safety and nurture their self-worth. We are here to ensure abused and neglected children’s VOICES are heard.
KENTUCKY CASA NETWORK
Kentucky has approximately 21 independent CASA programs serving children throughout the Commonwealth. Each program is a member of the Kentucky CASA Network, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting member programs to serve and protect children. The Buffalo Trace CASA Program, Inc. is a proud member of the Kentucky CASA Network. Our program works with other CASA programs throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky to serve the children that are victims of abuse and neglect.
NATIONAL CASA ASSOCIATION
The National CASA Association is the accrediting body for state and local CASA programs. Nationally there are over 93,225 CASA volunteers serving 242,236 children. Over 2 million children have been served since the establishment of National CASA in 1977
In 1977, Judge David Soukup, a Seattle juvenile court judge was deeply concerned about making decisions with insufficient information about children in court. Judge Soukup conceived the idea of citizen volunteers speaking in court on behalf of abused and neglected children.
From that first program a national network of nearly 950 CASA and guardian ad litem (GAL) programs recruit, train, and support volunteers in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Board of Directors
The Buffalo Trace CASA Program Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors with at least one representative from each county we serve (Bracken, Fleming, Mason, Nicholas, and Robertson Counties). We strive to ensure that our directors are representative of the program area’s diverse population—geographically, professionally, and culturally. If you are interested in learning more about our Board, feel free to contact us by phone at 606-563-7431 or in letter format at P.O. Box 631, Maysville, KY 41056.
Staff
Rebecca Palmer
Executive Director
Mary Beth Rudd
Advocate Supervisor
Mary Shepherd
Part-Time Office Staff
Melanie Strode
Advocate Supervisor
Executive Committee
Chris Conley – Chair
Kavin Cartmell – Vice-Chair
Angie Black – Secretary
Onaconnie Muse – Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair
Rebecca Smith – Nominating Committee Chair
Candida Dales – Personnel/Recruitment & Training
Board of Directors
Bracken County:
Noah Dockery
Janet Hunt
Rena Jarrell
Jessica Kern
Sherry Monahon
Fleming County:
Angela Black
Candida Dales
Kayla Hay
Onaconnie Muse
Mason County:
Kavin Cartmell
Christopher Conley
Kathryn Gilligan
Christal Henderson
Tina Jones
Alex Smith
Rebecca Smith
Nicholas County:
Paula Hunter
Ashley McCann
Robertson County:
Staci Johnson
Marsha Massey