Program Director of Casa Child Advocates of Montgomery County Announces Retirement

The program director of CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County, Marilyn McQueeney, has announced her retirement, effective April 30, 2023, initiating a leadership transition process over the next two and a half months.

McQueeney will be stepping down after 14 years with the organization. CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County advocated for more than 1,720 children in foster care during her five years as program director.

She has devoted more than 30 years of her career to early childhood education. For 20 of those years, McQueeney owned and directed a large private school and childcare center in Galveston County. After selling her school, McQueeney and her family moved to Montgomery County.

McQueeney says she has always had a passion for making a difference in the lives of children. She joined CASA in 2009, first as a volunteer Advocate, then as a staff case supervisor before being named program director in 2017.

“My dream fifty years ago was to work with children and make a difference in their lives. As an educator, a CASA volunteer, and finally a CASA staff member, I have been able to devote my entire working career to children in some aspect,” says McQueeney. “My time with CASA has been the most impactful of all, and CASA will always be in my heart and a part of my life.

“Marilyn has a passion for child advocacy that is evident in everything she does,” explains Ann Marie Ronsman, CASA President & CEO. “This role was never a job. For Marilyn, it was always a calling. She will be missed tremendously.”

During McQueeney’s tenure, CASA has maintained its ability to serve 100% of children in foster care in Montgomery County and expanded its Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) initiative for use on every case. As the organization’s first staff member to complete Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) Practitioner training in 2016, McQueeney was instrumental in developing CASA’s TBRI program to include training for Advocates, the ability to offer coaching to caregivers in all cases, as well as invaluable trauma education opportunities to the broader community.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the program director of CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County. I am so grateful to the entire team at CASA as well as our community partners that I have worked with through the years.” McQueeney continues, “I am proud of what we have accomplished in this county and very excited about the future work with children and families that CASA will continue to do.”

CASA volunteers are specially trained and appointed by judges to advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in the foster care system. They advocate for the child in court, school and other settings; and get to know everyone involved in the child’s life, including their parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, family members and others.

CASA volunteers advocate first and foremost for children to be reunified with their parents whenever safe and possible. When reunification is not an option, they may advocate for the child to live with another relative or family friend. They can also advocate for the child to be placed in an adoptive home. In all cases, CASA volunteers are steadfast, consistent presences for the children they serve, making sure they are safe and have the resources and connections they need to grow and thrive.

“Marilyn’s dedication and commitment to children is evidenced by her many years of exemplary service to the organization and our community,” says Ronsman. “Her lasting legacy is the thousands of children in Montgomery County who are safe and able to thrive because of her leadership and tireless advocacy on their behalf.”

With McQueeney retiring, Assistant Program Director Susan Truscott will take over as program director of CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County.

Following her retirement, McQueeney will remain active with the organization but in a different capacity.

'I am looking forward to spending more time with my grandchildren and traveling,' concludes McQueeney.

To learn more about CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County, visit the CASA website at www.CASASpeaks4Kids.com or call (936) 441-5437.