Shamika Williams’ Dallas CASA supervisor calls her “Super Woman.” The underwriting manager and mother to one teenage son joined Dallas CASA in 2020. She went on to take three cases, all siblings, in quick succession. To her, the children and their safety comes first.

When you got a call that another sibling had been born, what made you say yes to taking that case, too?

When I first heard about Dallas CASA, volunteering became like a mission for me. I said to myself that there would never be a case I would not take. I love being able to have a direct impact and help children.

So the first case was pretty straightforward, but it gave me a chance to get to know the family. It was my first experience getting to know a mother who doesn’t know me and my first experience advocating for a newborn who truly can’t speak for himself.

When my supervisor called about the second child, I just knew we had to keep those siblings together. Since I already knew mom and the family, I didn’t hesitate.

At one point on the second case, you developed some concerns about a placement.

The second child had some medical issues that took additional advocacy and time. At one point, I noticed that the placement seemed overly attached to the child – a little possessive perhaps and not committed to reunification. The child was going to the doctor a lot, but not making much progress. Something in my gut just didn’t feel right. He had medical needs due to his biological mother’s drug use while he was in utero, but not as many as the foster mother seemed to think.

In the end, my concerns were on point and the child was moved to a new placement. Within 30 days of being moved, he was walking and was able to have his nasal feeding tube removed. As a CASA volunteer, it was my job to dig deeper.

When the third child was born, I again did not hesitate to accept the case, especially since I already knew everyone in the family well by then. My focus was keeping the siblings together, ensuring their safety and protection.

Tell us about your background that made advocacy work so well for you?

I have a corporate job now, but I have lots of experience with children. I also have a master’s in child psychology with a specialization in childhood disorders and development. It helps me see where delays might be or if a child is just developing on their own curve.

What tips do you have for other advocates?

Notation in Optima is your best friend. Take good notes, then type up the summary right away. When you delay, you can miss out on the details. And contact those doctors, teachers and family members regularly. It gives you a good overall perspective of the case.

Of course, I say this from experience. I am not always the best at Optima notes, but I’ve learned the importance of them. If I know the child and case inside out, then it’s a lot easier for me to see if something is wrong.

Your cases took remarkable dedication, as well as significant travel. What kept you going?

Yes, I’ve been all the way from The Colony to Anna to Waxahachie and then to Nebraska!

The fact is, I will go the distance for these kids to see them safe and reunited. If going to Nebraska is what it takes, that’s what I will do.

How has being a CASA volunteer changed you?

I am learning to trust my gut more. I still think about things that happened on the second case, and it makes me ask more questions and pay more attention on future cases. Am I doing everything correctly? Is it enough? Am I asking enough questions?

Where are the three siblings today?

All three are permanently placed with family members in Nebraska, with the last case closing in an adoption in January 2024. They see each other frequently and will grow up knowing family and each other. Seeing them safe and together was always the most important thing.