About Us
CASA of Lackawanna is a volunteer driven nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who advocate for children in foster care.
History of CASA of Lackawanna
CASA is a national program, founded in 1977. CASA of Lackawanna is one of 950 programs in 50 states, including programs in 28 counties in PA. CASA programs follow a core program model under the auspices of the National CASA/GAL Program.
In Lackawanna County, the CASA program was founded in 2008 as Lackawanna County CASA, by the Advocacy Alliance and former President Judge Chester Harhut. CASA of Lackawanna became an independent 501©3 in 2022.
What Does CASA Do?
Our CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge in dependency proceedings to advocate for abused and neglected children, to ensure that they don’t get lost in the system. In Lackawanna County, CASA volunteers receive 30 hours of training and are required to have an additional 4 hours of court observation.
Once assigned to a case, the CASA volunteer reviews court, school, medical and caseworker records. The CASA volunteer talks with everyone involved including parents, foster parents, social workers, school officials, health providers, and most importantly, the child. The CASA then provides the judge with a factual, written report to help the court make a well-informed, timely decision about that child’s future. During the life of a case, a CASA volunteer monitors the child’s situation to make sure he/she remains safe. CASA volunteers support just one or two children, while a child welfare worker may have a caseload of a dozen children and families to monitor. The CASA volunteer continues to advocate for the child until the case is closed, for an average of 18 months.
Our Staff
CASA Executive Director, Joan W. Peterson, BSW, MPA
Joan W. Peterson has been the Director of CASA of Lackawanna since 2014, where she has grown the program from 10 children and 7 volunteers to 90 children and 32 volunteers, and overseen the program’s transition to become an independent 501©3.
Joan was previously employed by the Advocacy Alliance, and prior roles have included serving as a Certified Investigator for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Children’s Mental Health Advocate for children with behavioral difficulties and their families. Joan previously worked for Friendship House from 2004 to 2009, where she served as a Foster Care Case Manager, Foster Parent Recruiter, and as an Adoption Specialist. As a long-time social worker, Joan has also worked with delinquent and dependent children in a residential facility, with older adults, and with individuals with physical disabilities. An active member of her community, Ms. Peterson resides in Factoryville with husband Michael Bernhardt. She been involved with the Girl Scouts for many years and is the Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator for the Factoryville and Dalton Methodist Church. She is also the mother of 5 grown children. Joan earned a Bachelor of Social Work in 1998 and a Masters in Public Administration in 2008, both from Marywood University.
Volunteer Coordinator, Heather Carnathan
Volunteer Coordinator, Alexis Tinna
Board of Directors
LISA MURPHY
President
Lisa was a founding member of CASA of Lackawanna and served as a CASA volunteer from 2008-2018
At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. Lisa leads Faith Formation/Parish Planning/ and is the Director of Religious Education. She is retired from the Dunmore School District.
BENJAMIN ALLMAN
Vice President
Ben is the Business Insights Specialist with Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance. He joined CASA as a volunteer in 2018 before joining the board, and is committed to advocating for children who need a voice.
LORI A. BARRETT, ESQ
Treasurer
Lori is a VP, Senior Trust Officer with Fidelity Bank. She is a member of the board of directors of the Lackawanna Bar Association and an active volunteer with Lackawanna Pro Bono, Inc. and Friends of the Poor. A longtime community volunteer, she served as a board member of the Voluntary Action Center (VAC), Serving Senior and Habitat for Humanity, and was a member of the Greater Scranton Jaycees.
ELIZABETH WARRICK
Secretary
Consumables Marketing Manager
Benco Dental
JESSICA FARRELL
Jess has been a passionate advocate for children and animals since childhood, beginning with writing to lawmakers and volunteering locally to support those in need. With a professional background in sales, organizational development, and public relations, she has dedicated significant time and energy to numerous nonprofits, including Marley’s Mission, Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, Friendship House, and others. Jess previously served as Development Director for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania, supporting children affected by abuse and neglect. A former Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters, she now serves on the board of directors for CASA of Lackawanna County and Bianca’s K9 Haven.
MICHAEL A. DOHERTY, Ph.D.
(Retired), former Executive Director of The Arc of Chemung County (NY).
In my 36 years with The Arc, we grew from a $1M budget to a $23M budget. What I experienced with my Agency I feel can be helpful to CASA and its organizational development.
My experience supporting and advocating for individuals in need has inspired me to become a CASA Board member. The CASA Mission clearly is to support and advocate for children in need.
I like to spend my time as a retiree visiting with my children and grandchildren with my wife. And when not doing that, I like to walk the Trolley Trails.”
RUTH CONNOLLY
Ruth is on the board of Misericordia University, the Director of the North Pocono Dry Goods Pantry, and a Committee Member at the Outreach Center for Community Resources.
North Pocono Library, Community Garden Member, Prior to retirement, past roles include Diocese of Scranton, Superintendent of Schools, and EOTC, Development Director.
MARTIN TOTH, ESQ
Born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mr. Toth resides in both Harrisburg and Scranton. He currently serves as Associate Counsel to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Local Government Commission.
Previously, Mr. Toth held positions at the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania; counsel to the Business Attorney Team of the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS); and in-house counsel to the American Education Services/Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (AES/PHEAA).
He has previously served on the Boards of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and the Central Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra. He is a member of the Alzheimer’s Association of Pennsylvania, the Lackawanna River Corridor Association, the Architectural Heritage Association of Scranton, and Preservation Pennsylvania.
In his spare time, Mr. Toth is a competitive volleyball player and is an avid Olympics enthusiast.
