Meet Debbie Willis, a dedicated and compassionate Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) since 2015. Throughout her career, she has touched the lives of countless foster children, offering them the same support and guidance she once provided to adults during her 30-year tenure as an Adult Probation/Parole Officer with the Department of Corrections, where she retired in 2010.
A year after her retirement, Debbie felt a calling to continue her service, so she contacted the CASA office to see if her unique skill set could be of value to their mission. The message was clear: her years of experience working with adults in the criminal justice system would be an asset in advocating for children, helping them in much the same way she had helped adults for three decades.
Outside of her work with CASA, Debbie has a rich life filled with hobbies and family. She enjoys reading, quilting, and has worked on countless cross-stitch projects over the years. She shares her life with her husband of 50 years, son, daughter-in-law, and their 7-year-old grandson, who brings a lot of joy to their home.
In her current role, Debbie serves as a CASA liaison in the Family Recovery Court, where she primarily works with children who are in school, assisting social workers who meet with the kids and parents on a weekly basis. Her involvement includes meeting with teachers—either in person or via email—on a regular basis to stay updated on the child’s progress, typically weekly or bi-weekly. In addition to her liaison work, Debbie has taken on the important role of “court reporter.” She records what is said during staffing meetings, helping the court coordinator with their many tasks and ensuring that everything is documented accurately.
What brings Debbie the most fulfillment in her CASA role is witnessing the success of the participants in the Family Recovery Court program. She finds it especially rewarding to see those who have faced the most challenging beginnings and have the highest failure rates, graduate and maintain sober lives. Many of these individuals, once struggling, go on to achieve incredible milestones, such as living in sober homes and earning counseling degrees. The court also has an active Alumni Recovery Group, where graduates mentor new participants, offering them the guidance they need to succeed. Upon graduating, participants are even presented with their own sweatshirt, a symbol of their hard-earned success.
For Debbie, the most gratifying part of her work is knowing that she can share the same skills she used as a probation officer to make a positive difference in the lives of the children she serves through CASA. The impact she has on these kids is immeasurable, and she feels incredibly grateful to continue serving, offering them a chance at a better future.
