CASA Volunteer of the Year Award

Across the state, numerous organizations work to make Tennessee a better place for children and families. One such group is Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), which currently serves families in 47 counties through 28 local programs. During the month of April, a number of these groups will host events to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month and raise awareness of their work.

CASA Volunteer of the Year

The TBA Young Lawyers Division also recently recognized the work of Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) with the presentation of its annual CASA Volunteer of the Year Award to Jane Hickman of Greenbrier. Hickman serves with CASA of Robertson County and has volunteered there for the last eight years. During this time she has reunited 18 families and found safe permanent homes for 31 other children.

Hickman was recognized for that amazing track record as well as her unrelenting advocacy on behalf of clients and her “above and beyond” approach to serving. Kathy Williams, executive director of CASA of Robertson County, wrote in her nomination form that at one point Hickman was handling seven cases at one time. While the agency rarely gives a volunteer that many cases, Williams said they were confident that Hickman could carry the caseload without sacrificing the quality of representation.

Hickman also has a special place in her heart for teens and those who are about to “age out” of the foster care system — a group that often does not receive the attention it deserves. Hickman is particularly effective in advocating for alternative education options so teens have the opportunity to earn a high school degree as well as a better chance for a successful and productive life.

Finally, Hickman supports the work of CASA by participating in its community events, representing the agency during the “CASA on the Hill” state legislative lobbying day and mentoring new volunteers. At the heart of her service, however, is an unwavering commitment to kids.

“She just does not give up on kids, no matter what,” Williams says. And for that, the YLD was honored to recognize her as the 2015 CASA Volunteer of the Year. Knoxville lawyer Katrina Atchley Arbogast, chair of the YLD Children’s Issues Committee, presented the award to Hickman at the group’s Mid-Winter Meeting in Nashville.

Stacey Shrader Joslin is the media relations coordinatory and Young Lawyers Division director at the Tennessee Bar Association.