Of the more than 1,000 Court Appointed Special Advocate associations that fight for the safety of abused and neglected children across the nation, Richland County’s has been nationally lauded for its excellent leadership and effectiveness.

 

Paige Greene, executive director of Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (RC CASA), has been with the County’s organization since 2003, leading a dedicated team of staff and volunteer Guardians ad Litem who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the Richland County Family Court system.

 

She is the recipient of the Kappa Alpha Theta Program Director of the Year Award, which is officially named after the national fraternity that adopted CASA as its philanthropy in 1989.

 

It is Greene’s “exceptional leadership and support of our volunteer advocates’ efforts for abused children” that led to her recognition as director of the year, according to National CASA Association chief executive officer Michael Piraino.

 

Richland County Councilwoman Julie-Ann Dixon, District 9, commended Greene during Tuesday’s County Council meeting. “Paige’s director of the year award is a great privilege to Richland County CASA. County Council appreciates everything that she does.”

 

RC CASA recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers who serve in the role of Guardians ad Litem for neglected children whose interests are before Richland County Family Court. Presently, the County has more than 500 CASA volunteers.

 

“I am humbly honored for the opportunity to work every day with so many people committed to our children, their well-being and our community,” Greene said.

 

RC CASA made history in 2014 when it received a perfect assessment from the national association – a first in the local organization’s 30 years of existence. Some of RC CASA’s other prestigious accolades include the National Diversity Award, two National Promising Practices Awards and several local honors.

 

Greene will be presented with the director of the year award at the 2015 National CASA Conference in New Orleans in May.

 

“We can’t control where abused and neglected children come from but we can have something to do with where they end up,” Greene said. “Please call us to learn more about volunteer opportunities. You can be the voice for our children.”

 

For more information about RC CASA, visit www.rccasa.org, email casa@rcgov.us or call 803-576-1735.