Volunteer Spotlight: Shawntel Robins
In this Volunteer Spotlight, please meet Ms. Shawntel Robins, a volunteer with Lower Shore CASA in Worcester County. We would like to commend Shawntel for her outstanding dedication to the CASA cause and her exemplary advocacy work for children. Shawntel just celebrated her tenth anniversary as a CASA ---Congratulations, Shawntel! Each month, Shawntel commits approximately 10-15 hours of time to ensure that her CASA youth's essential needs are met. When asked about her experience working as a CASA, Shawntel expresses that she finds it to be incredibly rewarding and that it “feeds her soul.” She cares deeply and goes to great lengths to provide her CASA youth with their essential needs. Shawntel persistently works to build better connections with the children in her assigned cases by demonstrating constant support. She finds out their likes and dislikes, and favorite things to do, and attends special events like birthday parties, baby showers, and barbecues. In every one of her cases, Shawntel makes it her goal to leave a positive impact on the family.
"Shawntel is very dedicated and protective of the children she serves. Needless to say, she goes above and beyond to gather the information the judges need to make decisions in the child’s best interest. Shawntel has been very vocal in support of the CASA program and does whatever she can do to assist; whether that be participation in tabling events, community engagement activities, or speaking opportunities. Shawntel has been and remains instrumental in Lower Shore CASA’s continued success. For her, we are truly grateful," remarked Jerrona Smith, Executive Director of Lower Shore's CASA program.
We are always in need of more people like Shawntel, who have a passion for helping children in need, to serve as CASA volunteers.
For those who are interested in learning more about what being a CASA is like, Shawntel has completed a Q & A that offers some of her experiential knowledge and insights.
Can you describe what a typical day working as a CASA is like in your experience?
“In addition to spending time with your child or youth, some of your work will be centered around your court dates. Usually, the court needs the court report about 10 days before the actual court date. This gives the judge time to review. So, you have to be aware of when you go to court each time. For me, I usually start my investigation process a few weeks before the court report is due. I need to speak to everyone involved in the case. The doctors, teachers, counselors, specialists, dentists, daycare providers--everyone. When I am first assigned a case, I contact all these professionals. I fax/email them the court order and my information and ask them to store this with the child's file since I will be phoning periodically requesting updates about this child's file. Preparing for court is the most time-consuming part of this position. I really enjoy creating the court report, plus I'm great at it! I look at it as my opportunity to speak directly to the judge about not only my concerns but the concerns of the other health care professionals involved with the child. I get to update the court on what is working in this case and give suggestions as to how we can make things work more effectively for the child and family.”
What is some advice that you could give to someone interested in becoming a CASA?
“My first piece of advice would be to consider some therapy for yourself to ensure you have dealt with, or are at least aware of your own childhood traumas. This position does/will have triggering aspects. You also need to continue to learn and educate yourself on child abuse, neglect, family dynamics, mental illnesses, and substance use challenges.”
Once sworn in as a CASA Volunteer, Maryland CASA Association provides ongoing training to CASA Volunteers and child welfare advocates. These trainings vary in topic and provide information, resources, and tools to help our CASA Volunteers feel knowledgeable about the many aspects and dynamics present when advocating for a child or youth living under court protection. Click here to learn more about our current FREE training webinars.What are some characteristics you think a person needs to have in order to be a CASA?
“I think you need to be patient, kind, and understanding. I think you need to have the ability to educate, learn, not be judgmental, and be aware of your local and state resources."
What have you found to be most challenging as a CASA?
“Working with families who are struggling with addictions and/or mental health challenges is hard. Learning about why they are in this situation and what they need to do to get themselves out of it are hard conversations to have. I've been so blessed with the families I've had the opportunity to work with. I've found across the board that they just need to learn a different way of doing things. They need to understand that the better you care for yourself, the better you can care for your children. They need to learn balance, especially when there are several children involved. The main thing I like my families to know is that I am there to help and that I am there to protect and advocate on the behalf of that child.”
Thank you for your service and dedication to the Lower Shore’s abused and neglected children, Shawntel! Click here to learn more about joining Shawntel as a CASA volunteer.