Cabool resident Samantha Banks brings plenty of relevant experience to her position as CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of South Central Missouri’s new Texas County volunteer supervisor.
Banks was officially welcomed on Wednesday of last week during an open house event at the Texas County Justice Center in Houston. CASA volunteers assist abused and neglected children in the foster care system.
“I’m excited to be a voice for the children,” Banks said.
For the past five years, Banks worked at the Child Advocacy Center in West Plains, corresponding with representatives of law enforcement agencies, children’s divisions and juvenile offices to schedule appointments for children who needed interviews. She also assisted with medical exams.
Prior to joining the Child Advocacy Center, Banks spent about 1 1/2 years with the Howell County children’s division as an alternative care case manager for kids in state custody.
“I figured if I could do that job, I could do about anything,” she said.
A graduate of Cabool High School, Banks went on to earn a degree in psychology, sociology and criminal justice at Drury University’s Cabool campus. Her husband, Daniel Banks, is a third generation brick and block mason, and the couple has a two-year-old son.
After graduating high school, Banks worked several jobs, including at the Cabool Enterprise newspaper, the Cabool YMCA after-school program and with Drury University.
Banks said her position with CASA will give her a new perspective of how the judicial system works with regard to children.
“It’s different when you’re an alternative care worker for the state or when you’re essentially working with an agency that serves the state,” she said. “There were just more limitations on what we could do. With CASA, I feel like I’m going to have more insight into more alternative care cases, and I’m going to able to help.
“I think this is going to help me see what’s working well, because I wasn’t at children’s division long enough to see good case outcomes. This should help me see more positive outcomes.”
The reputation of Texas County CASA influenced Banks’ decision to join the organization. She said Texas County Associate Circuit Judge Doug Gaston is a great supporter of the CASA program.
“There are a lot of people here who are invested in CASA,” Banks said, “and it’s my understanding that Judge Gaston wants a CASA volunteer appointed to every child abuse case where children are facing state custody. The fact that there’s a judge here who is so supportive of children having safe and permanent placement is one of the reasons I wanted to come here.”
In her short time with CASA, Banks has already been touched by things she has experienced.
“On my first Thursday in court, I witnessed my first adoption,” she said. “I watched three little girls get adopted; it was really beautiful.”
Banks said she has some big visions for her future in child advocacy.
“My goal is to get to a place where I can help make changes in legislation,” she said. “I’m making a list of things that I think need to be changed.”
Texas County CASA currently has more than 30 volunteers. To find out about volunteering with CASA, call Banks at 417-260-5538 or email samantha.banks@casascmo.org.