A Bit About Us
CASA of Southwest Idaho is a non-profit organization that trains volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect. Our volunteers are appointed by judges to represent children in the child protection system, ensuring they don't get lost in the process.
As dedicated advocates, CASA volunteers spend time getting to know the children and families on their cases. They gather information from all parties involved, including parents, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, and more. Volunteers then make recommendations to the court to help judges decide what is best for each child.
Advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect requires profound compassion and dedication. These vulnerable young people have endured severe trauma, leaving many at risk for mental health issues, academic struggles, and other challenges that could derail their futures. At CASA of Southwest Idaho, our court-appointed volunteer advocates provide steadfast support, working tirelessly to understand each child's unique needs and circumstances.
With empathy and perseverance, our volunteers serve as beacons of hope, giving youth in foster care a powerful voice during court proceedings. Studies show our advocacy significantly improves outcomes – reducing the likelihood of re-entering care, increasing high school graduation rates, and putting brighter possibilities within reach.
CASA of Southwest Idaho is part of a national network of CASA programs serving children in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Our local program has been giving children in this region a voice in court since 2016. We serve around 600 children each year in the Third Judicial District which covers Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington counties.
Our mission is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so they can thrive in safe, permanent homes. You can help us create a brighter future for our community's vulnerable children.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a CASA help a child?
What does the organization's support for volunteers look like?
Our journey together starts when you first reach out to inquire about this opportunity.
Discovery Call: Our first step with you is a Discovery Call where you will hear, in detail, more about this volunteer role and have space to ask any questions you might have. This is a no-pressure, guilt-free zone as you explore if this is the right spot for you!
Initial Training: We provide a comprehensive, hands-on training to get you prepared and ready to serve as a child advocate. From understanding the Idaho Child Protection System, stepping into a child's shoes to understand their experience, and learning to write a report, we've got you covered!
Advocate Supervisor: We are committed to support you the entire time you are with our program. You will receive an assigned Advocate Supervisor at the end of your initial training. Your Supervisor will help you pick a case, will shadow with you on the all the firsts of your case, and will be there to champion you, collaborate and coach you every step of the way!
Ongoing Training: All our CASA Volunteers are required to take 12 continuing education hours each year. We provide these for free through monthly trainings. These are a mixture of online and in person opportunities and we always make sure they pertain to what you are doing as a CASA. We also offer workshops and case discussion gatherings where you get to know others on the CASA team doing this same work!
Here is the tasks throughout the life of a child protection case:
-
At the initial hearing, called a Shelter Care Hearing, the judge assigns CASA of Southwest Idaho to the case and child(ren), and we assign a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) as early as possible to that case. In Idaho, each foster child under age 12 is required to have a CASA, though we also serve teenagers in care when assigned.
-
A CASA Volunteer does monthly visits with the child, investigates the children's circumstances in their foster home, home of origin, school, and speaks to anyone who pertains to the child so as to gain insight into how the child is doing.
-
The CASA attends court hearings every three months and writes a report for the Judge so they can make informed decisions regarding the child's circumstances.
-
The judge takes the CASA's findings and recommendations into account while making their ruling in the child protection case.
-
This repeats until either the child is reunified, or parental rights are terminated and the child is adopted.
How many foster children do you serve?
CASA of Southwest Idaho serves an average of 600 children a year between the ages of 0-18 years old. There are still children who need a CASA Volunteer and we'd love for you to consider becoming one today!
CASA's origin story:
In 1978, Judge David Soukup presided over a child protection case in Seattle, Washington. He was frustrated as he looked around during a hearing and realized no one was there to speak for the best interests of the child. It was common for him to stay up until 4am hoping he had made the right ruling for children whose lives he had directly impacted. His concern drove him to recruit volunteers to investigate each child's situation and be a voice for children, ensuring their best interests and welfare were kept at the forefront of any decision-making. Overnight, 50 interested individuals showed up to step in the gap for these children. Since 1978, this initiative has spread country-wide.
MEET OUR STAFF
ELISHA HORROCKS
Executive Director
Born and raised in Idaho, Elisha has dedicated her career to making a meaningful impact through community service and non-profit work. With a passion for supporting youth and fostering community development, Elisha hopes to devote her efforts to ensuring that the next generation has every opportunity to thrive. This commitment extends beyond employment; it is a vocation driven by the desire to create lasting positive change in the local community.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Elisha enjoys a meaningful family life with her husband, two children, and three beloved dogs. She is an avid reader and a devoted Harry Potter fan, actively expanding her collection and participating in themed activities.
JENNY EASLEY
STEPHANIE MITCHELL
Program Director
Grant and Gift Manager
Stephanie joins CASA after many years working in elementary education, higher education, and non-profit ministry. Her degree in Communication and her desire to work in an environment that helps children have led her to our team. Aside from work, Stephanie finds great joy in singing along to 80s music while on road trips with her husband and daughter.
ANGELA GOMEZ MARTINEZ
Data and Compliance Manager
Angela joins CASA with a degree in education and paralegal studies. Her passion for children includes her own five and countless neighborhood children she has welcomed into her home. After years of service with her local communities, schools and for the military, she is now proud to be part of a team that advocates for the best outcome for children. When not at work, she likes to homestead with her garden and chickens, bake and explore new crafts.
JORDAN NAMLE
Volunteer Manager
Jordan comes to use with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling. She has been working with children since spending her recesses volunteering in younger classes in elementary school, babysitting, nannying through college, and now has two children of her own with her adventurous husband. She has always had a passion for connecting with and helping youth in her community.
JESSICA BRAIN
Lead Advocate Supervisor
Jessica has many years of experience in project management, organizational development and leadership, and human resources. She has applied her professional experience and her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Management to volunteer work in the communities she has lived in, including as guardian ad litem for CASA of Southwest Idaho. She has spent most of her personal life serving children and teens and other vulnerable populations and is humbled to be able to combine her professional and personal passions to the role of Advocate Coordinator.
In her free time, she loves to travel, spend time with her family, friends, and pets, and create elaborate holiday meals/experiences for her immediate and extended family. She also enjoys being the go-to baby-sitter for her nieces, nephews, grandkids, and friend’s children.
.jpg)
CHRISTINA BERG
Community Outreach Coordinator
MICHELLE PIXLER
Advocate Supervisor
ANGELICA MANZO
Advocate Supervisor
Rural County Specialist
Angelica comes to us with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, minoring in Ethnic Studies. Angelica has spent much of her time working with children in after school, respite, and psychosocial rehabilitation settings, and has a passion for working towards equity for all.
SYDNEY BOOKER
Intake Coordinator
Sydney’s experience includes work in behavioral health and adoption. Sydney received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Philosophy from Northwest Nazarene University, which has fueled her passion for supporting vulnerable populations. She was a Guardian Ad Litem with Family Advocates prior to working for CASA of Southwest Idaho. In her free time, Sydney enjoys spending time with friends and family, taking care of her plants, baking sourdough bread, and going to concerts.
Jenny Easley has decades of experience as an advocate in multiple areas of public interest and has spent the majority of her life volunteering in her community. She previously started a non-profit organization which became a part of a national coalition dedicated to transparency in labeling for consumers. She also spent several years working in public schools with a focus on working with vulnerable children with maladaptive behaviors. Jenny received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences from Boise State University and was an Advocate Supervisor at CASA of Southwest Idaho for several years before becoming the Program Manager. In her spare time, Jenny loves to travel, go hiking, and enjoy family time.
CASA of Southwest Idaho is deeply committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all of its employees. This commitment means CASA of Southwest Idaho actively seeks and employs qualified persons in all job classifications, and administers all personnel actions affecting employees without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status or sexual orientation. This policy applies to recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, retention and training, as well as to all other privileges, personnel programs, policies, procedures and terms and conditions of employment. CASA of Southwest Idaho does not tolerate discrimination against applicants for employment or employees.