Apr 28, 2021

Promoted to state director, Eakin hoping to grow CASA

Posted Apr 28, 2021 12:00 PM
Central Kansas CASA Executive Director Caitlyn Eakin was promoted to State Director of Kansas CASA.
Central Kansas CASA Executive Director Caitlyn Eakin was promoted to State Director of Kansas CASA.

By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post

Before Caitlyn Eakin took over the executive director position at the Central Kansas CASA location in Great Bend in 2015, she did not know much about the non-profit organization established to advocate for abused and neglected children. Eakin took an accounting route based on her love for numbers.

“I was a manager at the time dealing with accounting,” said Eakin. “I hated being in a corner office all day, not talking with anyone and playing with numbers. It did not give me that since of giving back that I wanted.”

A coworker suggested Eakin apply for the CASA position. Following her research, CASA provided everything that Eakin was looking for.

Central Kansas CASA covers the 20th Judicial District of Barton, Russell, Ellsworth, Rice and Stafford counties. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) looks out for the best interest of children who have experienced abuse or neglect by making recommendations to courts for the child’s placement and needed services.

“I would say the average case worker around Great Bend through the Department for Children and Families (DCF) handles 30 to 60 cases,” said Eakin. “Those contracted social workers are great but have a hard job. They can’t give that one-on-one experience that the child needs.”

CASA enters the picture by getting to know the child in need of services through a one-on-one relationship.

“We get to know the child’s family, their current living conditions and what they want,” said Eakin. “We have access to doctors, therapy and parents. We investigate what is in the child’s best interest. We then write a court report to the judge about everything he/she should know.”

During Eakin’s six years with Central Kansas CASA, she assisted with doubling the amount of volunteers and tripling the number of children served.

Eakin’s efforts did not go unnoticed as she was named the State Director for the entire Kansas CASA network. Eakin officially started the new position April 26 and is now overseeing the 22 local CASA programs in Kansas.

“I want to see CASA grow,” said Eakin. “CASA is everywhere. I see the growth CASA has in other states and I want to bring that to Kansas. I also know the struggles that the local programs have and the things I learned through longevity. Turnover is pretty high for local program directors so I want to provide more support to local directors.”

While the Kansas CASA is based in Topeka, Eakin will still be able to work from home in Great Bend while traveling to Topeka and the 22 local agencies throughout the state.

In 2020, Kansas CASA had 753 volunteers that served 1,848 children. Central Kansas CASA served 48 children with 22 volunteers.

Central Kansas CASA is currently looking for their next Executive Director to replace Eakin. The job posting is at centralkansasjobs.com.

“One thing I have learned about child welfare is that it needs more business-minded people,” said Eakin. “Management and funding play such a key role in what CASA does every day. There is no mission without funding or good management.”