Henrico CASA: How Local Advocates Support Children Experiencing Abuse and Neglect
Partner Spotlights are a platform for Robins Foundation grantees to highlight their important work and for Robins Foundation to recognize the incredible efforts and successes of our partners. This month, our Administrative and Operations Coordinator, Annaliese Santana, interviewed Jeannine Panzera, Executive Director of Henrico CASA, for our Partner Spotlight. Since 1994, Henrico CASA has supported 4,338 children experiencing abuse and neglect; 1,535 of which have been between the ages of birth to five. They do so with the help of volunteer advocates who provide consistent and informed mentorship to children navigating the court system. Throughout her interview, Jeannine provided incredible insights on the impact advocates have, the effects of child abuse on early development, and the importance of preventative action.
Can you please describe, at a high level, what Henrico CASA does?
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Our mission is to advocate for the best interest of children who experience abuse and neglect. When a child’s case is brought before the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court due to concerns about safety or allegations of abuse or neglect, the Court appoints CASA to advocate for the child. Regardless of a child’s circumstances, Henrico CASA ensures that 100% of referred children receive support at no cost to their families. Our mission is for all children in our community to live in safe and stable environments where they can thrive.
What are the specific duties of a Court Appointed Special Advocate?
CASA’s duties are outlined in the Code of Virginia, highlighting the credibility and importance of our role. Advocates provide consistent support to children during their court cases, ensuring their needs are prioritized. They investigate circumstances, monitor court order compliance, prepare reports for the court, recommend community services, and report safety concerns to Child Protective Services.
Becoming a CASA advocate involves a thorough process to prepare candidates for this vital role. After applying, candidates undergo interviews, screenings, and background checks to ensure they understand the responsibilities and the importance of this unique role. Those who complete the process participate in 40 hours of training, gaining knowledge about child welfare, relevant laws, and how to support children experiencing trauma. Advocates are then sworn in by Henrico County’s juvenile court judges — a significant milestone.
We take pride in the diversity of our advocates, as their unique backgrounds and experiences enrich their ability to provide meaningful support to the children they serve. In 2024 alone, Henrico CASA had 114 active advocates. Since our founding in 1994, we have trained a total of 675 advocates.
How did Henrico CASA develop a partnership with the local jurisdiction?
The CASA program was established by a judge in Seattle, Washington, and has since grown into a national court service initiative. Each program relies on the support of the local judiciary to operate effectively. Henrico CASA, founded in 1994 by The Honorable William (“Bill”) G. Boice, is proud of its enduring partnership with Henrico County and local judges. This collaboration ensures we can provide meaningful support to children, amplifying their voices and prioritizing their best interests.
In your mission statement, Henrico CASA’s goal is to advocate for a child’s best interest and educate the community on children experiencing abuse and neglect. Can you talk about how Henrico CASA educates the greater community?
Child abuse and neglect place a significant burden not only on the child welfare system but also on the educational, healthcare, and criminal justice systems. At Henrico CASA, educating the community about the importance of preventing abuse and neglect is a critical part of our mission. To strengthen this effort, we have a dedicated Community Engagement Coordinator who plays a key role in raising awareness. In addition, we create and share valuable content through our social media channels, weekly blog, and our podcast, Vigilant Voices®, which provides insights to help foster nurturing homes and relationships for children.
Our focus on prevention reflects our belief that addressing the root causes of abuse and neglect is far more impactful, and cost-effective, than responding after harm has occurred. By educating the community, we aim to create a safer, more supportive environment for all children.
You discussed the importance of education and ensuring people understood the effects of abuse and neglect. Can you talk more about those impacts and why it is so important to take those preventative measures?
At Henrico CASA, we deeply understand the profound effects that trauma can have on children, including its impact on cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and attention span. Research shows that abuse and neglect during critical developmental years can hinder physiological growth. Neglected children often exhibit smaller brains and lower cognitive functioning compared to those of healthy, well-cared-for children.
A stressed brain struggles to learn. This is why Henrico CASA prioritizes supportive environments that support healthy development. When a child’s basic needs go unmet, they face uphill challenges in school and beyond. We are committed to breaking the cycle of abuse, as early intervention not only promotes healthy brain development but also helps mitigate the long-term effects of trauma. By addressing the root causes of abuse and neglect, we aim to build strong foundations that allow all children to grow and thrive.
What do you believe are some of the necessary steps forward to improve advocacy for children experiencing abuse and/or neglect?
Collaboration with like-minded organizations is essential to improving advocacy for children and families. Collective efforts often yield greater impact than working alone, as they allow us to take a multifaceted approach, challenge the status quo, and address complex needs more effectively.
A major challenge, however, is the lack of sufficient resources. Critical services like substance use programs, therapy, and medical care often face capacity issues, including long waitlists. Balancing these service needs with limited resources is a constant struggle. This is why I frequently ask myself, “Are we doing enough collaboratively?” By fostering stronger partnerships and advocating for greater investment in child welfare resources, we can move closer to meeting the needs of every child and ensuring they have access to the support they deserve.
What motivates you to do this work?
I am passionate about addressing one of the biggest challenges of our time: child abuse and neglect. The CDC has identified child abuse and neglect as the most pressing epidemic in our society. The annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States is an estimated $400 billion. This includes direct expenses like medical care and foster care and indirect costs such as lost productivity. Imagine the impact if we could intervene early and often to prevent these tragedies from occurring in the first place.
With my background in law, I find it incredibly fulfilling to continue serving the court system and the community, especially by supporting our most vulnerable populations. I love being able to lend my expertise in ways that make a meaningful difference in the lives of children. As a society, we have a responsibility to care for our most vulnerable. When families are safe and healthy, it creates a ripple effect that strengthens entire communities. This commitment to prevention and lasting change drives me every day, as I believe in the power of early interventions to transform lives. This is why I do this work and remain dedicated to this field.
How has Robins Foundation’s support helped you all address needs within the community?
Approximately one-third of the children we serve are between birth and five years old. Over the past two years, we have experienced a 20% increase in child abuse and neglect cases, making resources more critical than ever. We believe this increase is a ripple effect of the COVID pandemic, which disproportionately impacted families already facing challenges like mental health concerns, substance use, and domestic violence.
Support from Robins Foundation has been instrumental in helping us address these critical challenges and enabling us to serve all children referred to our program from birth to age five during a time of increasing need. While our program has always emphasized the importance of understanding child development, including cognitive, emotional, and social milestones, funding has allowed us to sustain and strengthen these efforts. With Robins Foundation support, we can ensure that our advocates receive the resources and guidance necessary to meet the unique needs of over 100 young children, helping to lay a foundation for healthy development during these vital early years.
Is there a specific initiative or an upcoming event that you would like to promote in this article?
Our signature event, Home for Good®, is just a few months away, and we are thrilled to share it with the community. This event features luxury children’s playhouses built by local builders and architects, displayed at Short Pump Town Center and Libbie Mill Library from April 25 to May 11, 2025, during Child Abuse Prevention and Foster Care Awareness Months. For a small donation, individuals can purchase a ticket for an opportunity to win one of these extraordinary playhouses, with all proceeds supporting our mission to advocate for children in Henrico County.
These playhouses are not just beautiful structures; they are a powerful visual representation of what childhood should be — happy, carefree, and filled with opportunity. This year’s theme, Enchanted Childhoods, celebrates the joy, wonder, and that magic every child deserves. Henrico CASA believes that children should be able to play, be happy, and have the chance to thrive, and these enchanting playhouses remind us of that ideal.
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To learn more about Henrico CASA, please visit: https://HenricoCASA.org/
To learn more about a CASA in your area, please visit: https://nationalcasagal.org/our-work/programs/
