Central Kansas CASA is excited to announce the addition of Jennifer Gregg as the program executive director. Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs, are volunteers who serve as a voice for children in the court and foster care system.
Gregg stepped into the role last filled by Caitlyn Eakin, who was named state director of the CASA program earlier this year. The message Gregg wants to share with the public is that “CASA is the voice for the child in court. We promote fierce advocacy of children in the foster care system.”
As a longtime Great Bend resident, she has a special place in her heart for this community and children in need. She became familiar with the CASA organization many years ago when she and her husband Ryan Gregg served as foster parents in a kinship setting, where one of the foster parents has family ties to the child.
In her new role, Gregg will oversee the administration, programs, and planning for all cases within the 20th Judicial District, as well as arrangements for CASA’s annual Chocolate Auction.
When a child enters the court system, there are several people involved, Gregg noted.
“St. Francis (the area foster care administrator) has their plan, and therapy has their plan, as well as the parents’ attorney, but the CASA goes and meets with the kids, and really looks for just what’s in their best interest, as opposed to what’s meeting state guidelines,” she said. St. Francis and the court are there for children, too, but the CASA volunteer is specifically there as the voice in court for the children in the cases assigned to them.
“That’s quite an extensive volunteer position,” Gregg added. “You do 30 hours of training to become a CASA, and then you work probably six to 15 hours a month, depending on the case that you’re taking care of and what it needs.” CASA volunteers also undergo a background check.
Cases are assigned by judges or St. Francis can recommend a case for a CASA assignment.
Prior to joining CASA, Gregg worked in the accounting department at Fuller Industries LLC. Other previous employment includes seven years as a bridal manager at Beautiful Beginnings Boutique and 10 years as a home daycare provider. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminology and family studies from Kansas State University in 2003. She is an active member of the Prince of Peace Parish, and her younger two children attend Holy Family School. Additionally, she serves as the secretary of the Great Bend High School Booster Club Board. Outside of the office, she enjoys time at their family sandpit, camping and kayaking, and attending her children’s sporting events.
Jennifer and Ryan Gregg have four daughters, Madelynn, Ava, Hadley and Isabel.
