Emily Ciavarro, Court Appointed Special Advocates Manager (CASA), was recently awarded the STAR Award by the Council of Accountability Court Judges (CACJ) at their annual conference in Athens, Georgia. CACJ recognizes accountability court professionals across the state for their hard work and dedication to the programs they serve. Award recipients are nominated by their fellow team members, and CACJ selects and recognizes one person from each team role to receive the Star Award. Ms. Ciavarro was selected as the CASA STAR Award recipient, the only CASA Advocate to be honored with this award, and was recognized onstage in front of all CACJ Conference Members in attendance.
With over 16 years of experience working with the Bartow Juvenile Court, Ms. Ciavarro worked for five years as a juvenile probation and parole specialist with the Department of Juvenile Justice before joining the Advocates for Children CASA of Northwest Georgia team ten years ago. She currently serves as the CASA Manager where she manages a team of CASA Coordinators and 56 CASA volunteers who serve as the voice for children in foster care in Bartow and Gordon counties.
When asked about receiving the STAR Award by the CASJ, Ms. Ciavarro shared, “I had no idea my team had nominated me for the award and no idea I would be receiving it at the conference. I was surprised and honored to be recognized by my team and even more so to be chosen from so many other well deserving individuals across the state. It’s a good feeling to know others see you truly have a heart for the work.” Scott Sherwin, Senior Director of Advocacy and Prevention was delighted to learn of Ms. Ciavarro’s award and commented, “We are so proud of Emily and her commitment to the children she serves through CASA of Northwest Georgia. She is such an integral part of the Advocate’s team, and we are grateful to work with her to protect children and build families in our community.”