Natalie Thornton, executive director of CASA of the Pines, has been appointed to the Rural Leadership Council of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association.
Serving a two-year term, Thornton, along with child welfare leaders from across the nation, will play an integral role in voicing the unique needs of 893 local programs in the National CASA/GAL network. In 2023, the CASA/GAL network, with its 71,000 volunteers, served 201,000 children who were involved in judicial proceedings related to abuse or neglect. With approximately 569,000 children in foster care annually, the leadership council will focus its efforts on ensuring that the network achieves its mission of serving all children through best-interest advocacy.
“The National CASA/GAL Leadership Councils are a vital part of our strategic priorities to reduce the number of children in foster care, strengthen and preserve families, and expand our network,” National CASA/GAL Chief Executive Officer Tara Lisa Perry said. “We are so excited and grateful to have Natalie providing her insight and expertise as we strive to move our mission forward on behalf of all children who have experienced abuse or neglect.”
Thornton began as the executive director of CASA of the Pines in August of 2009. She received her education from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and communications. During her tenure as executive director, she has served on the Texas CASA State Board as a regional representative and has been a conference presenter at both the Texas and National CASA Conferences. Additionally, for the past two years, she was honored to serve as a National CASA Panelist for the newly hired executive director onboarding program.
“I am honored to be appointed to this important national role for a second term,” Thornton said. “I’m looking forward to bringing our successes and challenges to a network that makes us stronger as we strengthen our work across the nation.”
CASA of the Pines exists to train community volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children involved in the court system so that each child is placed in a safe permanent home. CASA advocates are an appointed guardian ad litem by the local court system. For more information on how one can become a CASA advocate, visit www.casapines.org or call 936-634-6725.
