Volunteer Local Advocates
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained, local volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in deprivation proceedings through Youth Courts. CASA of Mississippi strengthens and expands the statewide network of CASA programs that empower volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in Mississippi.
Vision
Our vision is that every child in Mississippi’s judicial system has an advocate focused solely on the child’s best interests.
Our Story
CASA Mississippi, Inc. was established in 2002 after the Mississippi Court Advocacy and Justice Institute applied for and administered a state organization development grant from the National CASA Association (NCASAA).
CASA Mississippi was developed by several local program directors and others involved in child advocacy services who realized that a state organization could support the existing CASA programs and develop new programs in counties where children were under served. The state organization was created to provide technical support, training, education, and other invaluable assistance to the local program staff and volunteers.
Our Leadership
Our board of directors meets quarterly and is committed to the development of quality advocacy programs that meet state and local regulations and comply with National CASA standards. CASA Mississippi is required by National CASA to submit a quality assurance assessment for review by the standards committee for state organizations.
Board of Directors
Shannon Adams, CPA, Board Treasurer
Matthews, Cutrer & Lindsey, P.A.
Senior Manager – Audit
Ridgeland, Mississippi
sadams@mclcpa.net
Alison O’Neal McMinn
Forman, Watkins & Krutz, LLP
Jackson, Mississippi
Alison.mcminn@formanwatkins.com
Robert Arledge
Teller, Hopson & Schrader, LLP
1201 Cherry Street
Vicksburg, MS 39183
rarledge@tellerlaw.com
Mary Largent Purvis, Board Chair
Director of Legal Analysis and Communication
Mississippi College School of Law
Jackson, Mississippi
mlpurvis@mc.edu
Shirley Kennedy
Director of Child Advocacy Programs
Mississippi College School of Law
Jackson, Mississippi
skennedy@mc.edu
Natalie Guess
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program Manager
Office of Technology Development
The University of Southern Mississippi
116 N 31st Ave.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
n.guess@usm.edu
John Dillon Harris
Health Policy Analyst
Center for Mississippi Health Policy
578 Highland Colony Parkway
Paragon Centre, Building Two, Suite 105
Ridgeland, MS 39157
jdhpublicpolicy@gmail.com
Col. Sheldon Morris, Ret.
Executive Vice President of Programs
Delta Health Alliance
435 Stoneville Rd.
Leland, MS 38756
smorris@deltahealthalliance.org
Dr. Susie Calbert
Executive Director
Vicksburg-Warren County Youth Development
Center
Mission 66
Vicksburg, MS 39180
susiec@co.warren.ms.us
Adrian Austin
Chief of Staff
Volunteer Mississippi
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
aaustin@ihl.state.ms.us
Yudenia Tiza
Promotora Manager
Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity
556 Boardwalk Boulevard
Ridgeland, MS
yudenia@iajems.org
