THE DECEMBER ADVOCATE OF THE MONTH IS:

Matt Jugran!

(Pictured with Training Coordinator Janet Davidson at his advocate graduation celebration September 2018)

Committed, consistent, and persistent are just some of the attributes that describe this months Advocate of the Month.

Matt has been a CASA for over a year and has carried the same case since day one. Unfortunately, sometimes when children enter the system, permanency is not easily obtained. Because of Matt, this one child has had a consistent person on “their side” for the entirety of their case. Matt continuously visits, communicates, and checks in on his child to ensure that their needs are being met. By doing this, Matt has not only gained the trust of his child, but he has also become a person that this child can depend on.

Although Matt works full-time, he takes his commitment to be a CASA seriously and ensures that he attends every opportunity for training that is offered. Through these trainings Matt has gained the skills and confidence to advocate for his teen on many different occasions. Recently, his teen was admitted to a Psychiatric hospital and kept there through the start of the new school year. Matt advocated for his teen and spoke with staff at the hospital, CPS, and attorneys to arrange for schoolwork to be sent so that he would not fall behind his Senior year. Additionally, the teen had been kicked out of his previous placement, so Matt took it upon himself to be a “squeaky wheel” in order to get the child placed in another home quickly.

It’s CASAs like Matt – who take the time to ensure their child’s needs are being met and that their voices are being heard – that make CASA’s work meaningful and important. We are very fortunate to have Matt as a part of our CASA family and we look forward to what more he has to offer in the future.