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Our Team

OUR TEAM

Advocates for children in need

At CASA of NELA, we believe that every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to grow and thrive. Our CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program is dedicated to making this belief a reality for children in our community. We are a passionate and committed group of volunteers, staff, and community members who advocate for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. 

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Keri Foust

Keri Foust was appointed as the Program Director for CASA of Northeast Louisiana in July 2019. Keri has enjoyed her fifteen-year career in various advocating positions within the social services field. Early in life, Keri knew that she wanted to help people less fortunate than herself. Keri earned her bachelor's degree in Family & Child Studies with a concentration in Family Science from Louisiana Tech University in 2004. After graduating, Keri began helping children find forever homes with loving parents through private adoptions. God ultimately led Keri to CASA in 2009 where she worked with dedicated volunteers who gave freely of themsleves to help children of abuse and neglect. Working as an Advocate Supervisor gave Keri more disire to serve others and help give children the ability to share their own future.

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When Keri is not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Michael, and their two boys, Blaine and Carson. It's the simple thing in life that give Keri the most pleasure. Her two boys have helped Keri understand the importance of having a consistent adult presence in a child's life. Keri's desire is to share this perspective at CASA so that the children we serve have the best opportunity possible.

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Anita Traxler

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Melanie Crain

DATA SPECIALIST

MCRAIN@STANDFORHOPE.ORG

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Shuronda Hampton

4TH JDC SUPERVISOR

SHAMPTON@STANDFORHOPE.ORG

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TaKera Dugan

4TH JDC SUPERVISOR

TDUGAN@STANDFORHOPE.ORG

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Leslie Bryan

OUTREACH SPECIALIST

LBRYAN@STANDFORHOPE.ORG

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Katey Parnell

3RD JDC SUPERVISOR

KPARNELL@STANDFORHOPE.ORG

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Melissa Moore

5TH JDC SUPERVISOR

MMOORE@STANDFORHOPE.ORG

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Caitlin Herrock

TRAINING SPECIALIST

CHERROCK@STANDFORHOPE.ORG

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Nicole Hendrix

4TH JDC SUPERVISOR

NHENDRIX@STANDFORHOPE.ORG

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Nicole Strong

6TH/37TH JDC SUPERVISOR

NSTRONG@STANDFORHOPE.ORG

Board of Directors

Dr. Margot Eason

PRESIDENT

Dennis Gardner

VICE PRESIDENT

Dean Mailhes

TREASURER

Mary Linda McCann

SECRETARY

Kelly N. Clay

Dr. Kenisha Gordon

Wendy Giovingo

Glen Post

George Lee

Thomas H. Fields, III

Damon Marsala

Stewart Mondry

"It is very rewarding knowing you are doing
your very best for a child in need."

BRETT C.

CASA of NELA volunteer since 2013

Past CASA of NELA Board Member

Current Louisiana CASA Board Member

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