July 6, 2022
Contact: Kazia Capener
kcapener@casadc.org
202-887-0007
Arika Adams appointed to serve on National CASA/GAL Leadership Council
WASHINGTON, DC – CASA for Children of DC announces the appointment of Arika Adams, Executive Director to the Urban Leadership Council of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children.
Serving a two-year term, Adams, along with child welfare leaders from across the nation, will play an integral role in voicing the unique needs of 950 local programs that make up the CASA and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) network. In 2021, the CASA/GAL network, with its 93,225 volunteers, served more than 242,236 children who have experienced abuse and neglect. With more than 407,000 children entering foster care on any given day, the leadership council will focus its efforts on ensuring that the network achieves its mission of serving all children through best-interest advocacy.
“The National CASA/GAL Leadership Councils are a vital part of our efforts to serve more children in the foster care system while continually improving their outcomes,” said National CASA/GAL Chief Executive Officer Tara Lisa Perry. “We are so excited and grateful to have Arika Adams providing her insight and expertise as we strive to move our mission forward on behalf of all children who have experienced abuse or neglect.”
This appointment will be Adams’ second, as she just completed a two-year term on the Leadership Council. Ms. Adams, LMSW, a Licensed Social Worker, has worked with CASA for 13 years, serving as Chief of Staff for seven years before becoming Executive Director. Ms. Adams has extensive experience with case management and program and staff oversight. She has extensive training in substance use disorder treatment, including several evidence-based interventions such as Seeking Safety, Helping Women Recover, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. She also has completed Executive Programs in Trauma-Informed Advocacy and Children’s Law and Policy.
“I am so honored to be appointed to this important national role,” said Adams, Executive Director of CASA for Children of DC. “As a member of the CASA DC community, I’m looking forward to bringing our successes and challenges to a network that helps us get better as we improve our work across the nation.”
We are thankful to have Ms. Adams as a leading example to our team here at CASA for Children of DC.
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About the National Court Appointed Special Advocate®/Guardian ad Litem Association for Children
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children, together with its 950 state and local member programs, supports
and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and have the opportunity to thrive. National CASA/GAL offers leadership and support to the network of programs and leads its continued growth. CASA/GAL volunteers and staff work every day to advocate for children, youth and families. To learn more, visit nationalcasagal.org.
About CASA for Children of DC
CASA for Children of DC’s mission is to provide every child and young person in DC who has experienced trauma with a caring adult who will advocate for their best interests while developing a relationship of trust. CASA DC helps DC’s youth thrive, not just survive. This mission is carried out through the recruitment, training, and support of volunteer court-appointed special advocates (CASA volunteers) who provide mentorship and best interest advocacy to foster and juvenile justice youth in DC. It is our vision that every vulnerable youth in DC receives excellent advocacy and support to unleash their full potential and thrive.
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