Our Program

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

Rena Jarrell

Jessica Kern

Sherry Monahan

Fleming County:

Angela Black

Candida Dales

Onaconnie Muse

Mason County:

Kavin Cartmell

Christopher Conley

Kathryn Gilligan

Rebecca Smith

Alizabeth Graham

Nicholas County:

Ashley McNabb

Ashley Vice

Robertson County:

Staci Johnson

Marsha Massey