About CASA Heroes
Selecting CASA Heroes is always a difficult task. Every CASA volunteer is a hero to an abused and neglected child. All Payne County CASA volunteers do so much just by opening their hearts and donating their time to advocate for children in Payne County.CASA Heroes - First Quarter 2008-2009
CASA Hero of the Quarter
CASA Honors Veteran Volunteer Barbara Sheller
Barbara Sheller, CASA volunteer for the Payne County CASA Program, has been chosen as CASA Hero for the first quarter. Barbara Sheller began changing the lives of abused and neglected children in 1998 after completing CASA volunteer training. Over the last 10 years Barbara has advocated for the best interest of 18 children in eight different cases. She has given over 1,188 hours and driven over 8,481 miles. (The program did not begin recording hours and miles until 1999). Barbara literally goes above and beyond to advocate for her CASA kids. She has gone as far beyond as taking a road trip to Kansas and far reaching parts of Oklahoma including Claremore and Lawton to visit children, families, and prospective placements. When asked why she became a CASA volunteer Barbara said, “I felt it was a worthwhile program to be involved with and I could really make a difference in a child’s life.”
Barbara is a homemaker and she and her husband Dennis make their home in Stillwater. Dennis is Vice President of Sales at Mercury Marine. When asked how Dennis has been supportive in her work as a CASA Barbara said, “(He) never questions anything I do as a CASA. He has always encouraged me and asked how my cases are progressing.” Dennis and Barbara have three sons, Ryan who is married to Lauren, Andrew (now Br. Paul) and Dale. Aside from her volunteer work with CASA Barbara also enjoys walking, gardening, scrapbooking, and trying out new recipes.
“It has been a privilege to work with Barbara for the past eight years that I’ve been with the CASA program. Barbara is able to build a good rapport with every family she’s worked with. She has taken on some very challenging cases and has been fortunate to see cases end with great success,” said Trisha Rush, Case Supervisor. Barbara is highly respected by her fellow CASA volunteers, contract attorneys, DHS workers and Assistant District Attorney. “Barbara Sheller is a dedicated and conscientious advocate for children. I have worked with her on a variety of cases in the District Courts of Payne County. The thing that really stands out about Mrs. Sheller is her ability to advocate for the best interests of the children she is assigned to even when that is not easy to do. Mrs. Sheller is not afraid to point out issues that need to be addressed in a case or to constructively criticize parents who are not putting their children as first priority. I have always put a lot of weight in opinions rendered by Mrs. Sheller,” said Michael Kulling, Assistant District Attorney handling juvenile cases.
When there is a request for an experienced volunteer to take a case Barbara is one of the volunteers the CASA program turns to. When Barbara was asked how she finds the time to volunteer for CASA and for so many years she said, “Having been a CASA for ten years, I know how important it is to stay in contact with all parties with your case – child(ren), parents, foster parents, attorneys, and DHS workers. It’s a balance that you work on.” When asked how she felt she had helped children by being their CASA volunteer Barbara said, “Returning children to their biological family is very rewarding – especially when you know this is ultimately the best decision for them. Seeing the family dynamics change for the better is always a good outcome. If a case goes on long enough, the CASA is sometimes the only constant for that child. Other people involved with that case can change, but the CASA remains the same.”
Barbara has the ability to remain objective and open-minded when working on her CASA cases. Barbara investigates the facts, both past and present, in order to make an objective report to the court. Barbara’s focus is always the best interest of the children but through the pendency of the case Barbara also knows she must check in on the parents and insure they are correcting the conditions that led to the removal of their children. Barbara has been the CASA on many cases where her additional support and mentoring for the parent(s) has helped the family reach successful reunification. Barbara is professional, courteous, and detail oriented when doing her advocacy work for CASA. Barbara attends court hearings with and for her CASA children. Barbara sees her cases through until they close and the child(ren) have a permanent resolution and a safe home.
On top of the wonderful advocacy she does for the children and families on her cases, Barbara has helped CASA in many other ways. When the CASA program is short handed in the office with help at the front desk, Barbara willingly volunteers additional time to help with data entry and other clerical duties until the office is fully staffed again. Barbara is always at attendance at CASA fundraisers and many other CASA events. Barbara has shared her belief in the CASA program with friends, family, and the other groups and organizations in which she is involved.
Carmen Miller, Program Director said, “I really can’t say enough about Barbara. She is a lot of fun to work with. She is a very solid, dependable volunteer who no doubt has made a tremendous impact on the lives of 18 children thus far. The wonderful thing about it is, she continues to work for the betterment of more children and it’s truly an honor to work with her in her mission to change lives.”
CASA needs more dedicated volunteers like Barbara. Fall CASA training will be November 6th and 7th. Volunteer training is free. For more information contact the CASA office at 405-624-2242 or email info@casaforkids.com. To read more information about the Payne County CASA Program visit www.casaforkids.com.
