Dennise Jackson, Strategic Network Support (SNS) Director
Dennise Jackson joined Texas CASA in January 2003. She is the Strategic Network Support Director for Texas CASA. She currently provides consultation services for the CASA network in the areas of recruitment, retention, and re-engaging volunteers and supervises a team of six. She spent five years as one of Texas CASA’s live trainers and curriculum development for volunteer management and cultural proficiency. She developed and led an innovative statewide project to increase the involvement of men within the volunteer pool for CASA. Before coming to Texas CASA, Jackson spent over 30 years working in the child welfare system. Dennise received the Outstanding Service Award from the Human Health Service Commission for advancing the work to eliminate disproportionality and disparities. In February, she will celebrate 21 years with Texas CASA.
Tell us about yourself and what drew you to working in the child welfare space.
This work is woven into the origin story of my life. I was adopted when I was 16 months old. My adopted dad told me the story of my adoption, and he made me feel special every time he shared it. Also, this was the dark ages, a time when adoptions were hidden. For example, your records were closed, and the adopted person was not allowed to know their biological history. Thank goodness that has changed. My adopted parents kept my records as much as they could and shared with me that they would help me locate my biological family whenever I wanted. I loved my parents, and it was not until both my parents passed that I went on the journey to locate my biological mom. Because of shabby records, it took years. Honestly, it was not until Ancestory.com that I was able to find my mom, and my siblings. My mom has passed but I had the opportunity to connect with my siblings. I am thankful for programs like Collaborative Family Engagement because every child deserves to know their family and their story. Every child deserves to be connected to their past and their history.
How long have you worked for Texas CASA, and how did you get involved with the CASA mission?
I have worked for Texas CASA for 21 years. Wow! I started my career in non-profit working in the 80’s (yep, the 80’s) as a family teacher. I worked in a group home with 16 teenage boys at an organization called Lena Pope Home in Fort Worth. I worked there for 15 years in various positions. I ended up being the Director of the Shelter/Independent Living. I also was a therapeutic foster parent for teens. I think my adoption played a big role in my career path trajectory. I know I wanted to make a difference in a child’s life like my parents had done for me. In my role, as a director at one of the shelters that I managed, I ran into many CASA volunteers. I was amazed of the impact they would have on the disposition of a young person living in the shelter. The volunteer would brighten the kid’s day no matter what. And I liked seeing that. I had gotten to the place where I was looking for something new and different in my life. I saw this tiny ad in the paper for a Diversity Director at Texas CASA. That was 21 years ago. Well, a lot has changed since I took that job. I am now the Strategic Network Support Director and lead a team that, we like to say, support the staff who support the life cycle of the CASA volunteer.
Tell us about your work as the Strategic Network Support Director and what is your favorite part of the job.
I am fortunate to work with a fun team who holds my feet to the fire. We are committed to excellence, and we want to make a difference in our community and the world. We love what we do, and we challenge each other to bring our best efforts. We care about the CASA network, and we do our best to show them.
