Our Team

Maura joined our staff as a case supervisor in November, 2004. She came to us from CASA of Rochester, NY where she served as a volunteer advocate, VISTA volunteer and case supervisor. Maura’s involvement with CASA began in 1996 when she became a CASA advocate in Pittsburgh, PA.

Maura and her husband are parents of three sons and while they were growing up she spent considerable time as a community volunteer with scout organizations, her college alumnae group, church and PTA activities. She has been a Board member of the Junior League of Pittsburgh as well as several non-profit organizations. Maura values her volunteer activities and enjoys working with our volunteer advocates.

Maura is a 1976 graduate of Smith College where she majored in Government. She earned her J.D. at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1980 and is a member of the Bars of New York and Pennsylvania.

Catherine started with CASA in April, 2004. She began her career in social work in October, 2001 when she was hired as a caseworker by the Division of Youth and Family Services. There she learned case management and how to effectively service her clients. Catherine chose to work for CASA in order to more effectively advocate for children in foster care. Prior to working with DYFS, Catherine attended Rowan University where she received a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Professional Writing. Catherine worked as a reporter in her junior and senior years at college. In 2000, she received the Sam Donaldson award for Excellence in Journalism and in 1999 she received the Editor's Choice Award from the National Library of Poetry. She also served as a student adviser to the College of Communication Advisory Board. Currently, Catherine is working toward a Master's degree at the Rutgers School of Social Work in Newark.

Neomi Bonilla, BA, Case Supervisor

973-648-3352

nbonilla@casaessex.org

Neomi joined CASA as a Case Supervisor in September, 2005. She received a B.A. in Psychology from Kean University in 2001. Prior to working for CASA, she gained valuable experiences working for Hudson Cradle and Project Headstart, both located in Jersey City, NJ. In her previous positions she learned the fundamentals of case management, effectively working with families, and supervisory skills. Her belief is that working with children and families brings great joy and satisfaction. “To believe that I have the ability to positively impact the life of a child is truly a reward for me.” Currently, she is enrolled in a graduate program at Strayer University and resides in Hudson County with her husband.

Erinn Barnes, MSW, LSW, Senior Case Supervisor

973-648-3352

ebarnes@casaessex.org

Erinn Caufield holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology with a concentration on Social Welfare from the University of Delaware and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Yeshiva University. Throughout her education Erinn worked and volunteered for various Child and Family Social Service organizations. In September 2003, post graduation, Erinn joined CASA for the first time. Later, she left to practice Social Work in London, England. It was a great experience for her to learn about and work within another country’s Child Welfare and Protection system. Being able to fulfill her love of traveling was an added bonus.

Erinn returned to the states and managed a community center in New York City for people who had been affected by the events on September 11, 2001. But after about a year, she realized her love of children and desire to help affect change in their lives never left her and was now calling her back to her original line of work. Erinn enthusiastically rejoined the CASA team in August 2006. She recieved her License in Social Work in December 2009.

Jose Melendez, BA, Case Supervisor

973-648-3310

jmelendez@casaessex.org

Jose joined CASA as a Case Supervisor in May 2007. He is responsible for supervising and consulting with volunteer advocates in preparation and management of cases, providing guidance in all aspects of a volunteer's role. Prior to working for CASA, he gained valuable experience working for The Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) as a Family Services Specialist. He previously worked for Program for Parents, the largest non-profit agency in the child care services in Essex County as an Operations System and Customer Services Manager working directly in the child welfare system. Jose moved to the U.S. with his family in 1996 from Mexico where he worked in the human resources field for over 15 years. He was a Human Resources Director for several international and national corporations and also had his own consulting firm.

Jose has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and a Diplomat in Human Resources. He lives in West Orange with his wife of 28 years and his 3 daughters. An avid runner, Jose enjoys sports and has been involved in coaching soccer, basketball and softball for youth leagues.

Shyra Aultmon, BA, Case Supervisor

973-648-3343

saultmon@casaessex.org

Shyra joined the CASA team in July 2007 as a Case Supervisor. She brings with her a vast range of experience in child welfare. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University in 2000 and began her career in social services at The ARC working with developmentally disabled adults. She enjoyed working with that population but always desired to work with children. After leaving The ARC she gained valuable experience as a Family Service Specialist at the Division of Youth & Family Services and as a Care Manager with the Care Management Organization, Bergen's Promise, Inc. Dissatisfied with the politics of the child welfare bureacracy and the lack of hands-on social work practice, Shyra left case management to become a Prevention Specialist teaching Life Skills to elementary and middle school students and their families. She was drawn to CASA because of its strong mission and the outstanding work being done to give voices to children who otherwise wouldn't be heard. "It feels great being on this side of the table where I can sincerely feel a part of the change. Seeing the children achieve permanency is beyond rewarding." Shyra resides in Bergen County with her husband. She plans to pursue her Master's Degree in Social Work in the very near future.

Stefanie Burgess-Bertrand, BA, Case Supervisor

973-648-3325

sbertrand@casaessex.org

Stefanie joined the CASA team in February 2009. She began her earnest work in child welfare soon after college. Stefanie worked with the Administration for Children’s Services in New York City for over a decade. She dedicated her efforts to the safety and welfare of the smallest members of our society. Having worked in the capacity of Case Manager, and Child Welfare Specialist Supervisor, she assisted in the mission to provide foster children with a safe and happy life. After marriage and starting a family, she dedicated her energies to her family. Stefanie volunteered as a Tutoring Coordinator in the West Orange tutoring program, after being a tutor for several years. She earned a Senate Citation from the 27^th NJ Legislative District for her dedication and commitment as a volunteer. She was also honored as “Volunteer of the Year” from the West Orange African Heritage Organization and received commendations from the Mayor of West Orange for her community service. Other accomplishments include, employment as a Manager in a child care agency and being a board member on the Essex County Child Placement Review Board. Stefanie earned a B.B.A. in Marketing and plans on exploring an M.S. in Psychology: Child and Adolescent Development in the near future. Stefanie feels, “All children deserve some happiness in their life; CASA is the messenger to help make these dreams a reality!”

Michael Slater, JD, Director of Development

973-648-3301

mslater@casaessex.org

Michael joined CASA as Director of Development in September of 2006. In this capacity he is responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting new sources of financial support for CASA and working with existing ones. He brings to CASA considerable fundraising experience. For many years he has raised money for his alma mater, and more recently for CASA, St. Anthony High School in Jersey City (where he is co-chair of the Development Committee) and for Harlem Academy.

Michael is no stranger to CASA. In the mid-1990's he joined its board, later becmoing its president. When he left upon the expiration of his term in 2001, he remained committed to its mission and impressed by the excellence of its work. He is delighted to be working again with CASA.

Trained as a lawyer, he practiced law for a few years in Los Angeles with the firm of Latham & Watkins, but soon moved into business, spending most of his career with the Wechsler Coffee Corp. where he ultimately became its CEO. A graduate of Yale University, the Yale Law School and the University of Chicago Business School, he lives with his wife Kathy in South Orange.

Cheŕe began working with CASA in July, 2004 as the Administrative Assistant/Volunteer Liaison and is responsible for assisting the Executive Director, Karen Burns and the Senior Case Supervisor/Volunteer Trainer, Phyllis Simon.

Cheŕe has 40+ years experience in the legal field as a legal secretary/paralegal for firms in California, New Jersey and New York and at one time owned a legal/ medical transcription business. She is also an active CASA Advocate for six children under the age of 6 and 1 teenager in the Educational Program. Of her work with CASA, Cheŕe says, “This is my dream job, without question! I have worked in the legal field for several decades and I have finally found my true calling.” In addition to serving as a CASA Staff member and Advocate, she volunteers with the Juvenile Intensive Supervision Program (JISP), UMDNJ-Boarder Babies, several senior-citizen facilities and plays a formative role in the Community Collaborative in East Orange (which is a part of the DYFS Reform).

Cheŕe studied Law and Child Development at UCLA and also obtained a Tutoring Certificate from the Literacy Volunteers of America. She has a daughter, Dawn, 37, who is a police officer and two teenage grandsons, De’Vion, 16 and Domini’Que, 15.

Carol joined CASA in January 2006 as the Volunteer Director. In this capacity, she manages volunteer recruitment and retention and is also involved with public relations and marketing efforts for the program. Prior to joining CASA, Carol supervised in the Writers' Room Program in the Montclair School District where she directed volunteers working in a writing program with students. Carol began her career as an attorney and then spent many years as a stay at home mom. During that time, she was actively involved as a volunteer in a number of school and community programs.

Carol and her husband have three children and are residents of Montclair. Since adopting her youngest son 15 years ago, she has developed a strong interest in adoption and foster care issues. She was drawn to CASA both by its child welfare mission and its association with the court system.

Carol is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a B.A. in Sociology. She received her J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago, School of Law and has been admitted to the Bar in Illinois and New Jersey.