THE February ADVOCATE OF THE MONTH IS:
Marcie Bartholomew
Our February Advocate of the Month, Marcie Bartholomew, is one you can’t help but love. She has been assigned to her case for 6 months, and she serves three children in two different placements. Prior to these placements with family, Marcie juggled three other placements, requiring her to drive to Houston, Richmond, and central Texas. Not only has she been navigating the logistics of calls and in-person visits to multiple children and caregivers during her time on the case, but she has gone above and beyond in her efforts to engage with numerous parents, stepparents, and grandparents, some of which are out of state. Marcie even communicates regularly with the out of state CASA volunteer assigned to one of the parents. Maintaining communication with copious family members as well as CPS caseworkers, attorneys, and her CASA supervisor is a challenging feat that Marcie seems to handle effortlessly.
When working any case, it requires a balancing act to navigate the different viewpoints of parents and caregivers, and that is definitely amplified with so many parties and family members involved. Those conversations can sometimes be uncomfortable and challenging for a variety of reasons. Marcie is not only great at having all those conversations, but she is thorough and timely in her documentation that comes after those interactions. Her court reports are always submitted on time, if not early, and need very little editing. Her court testimony is the perfect balance of short and to the point while also providing a full picture of the circumstances of the children and family.
We are grateful that Marcie takes the time month after month to pour into the children, and the different relationships that exist in her case, to make sure all needs are met. We also love and appreciate it when she bakes and generously shares the sweet treats with fellow advocates and staff at events or Monday lunches.