Booth Named Ohio CASA’s Child Welfare Advocate of the Year

April Booth, Meigs County’s first ever CASA volunteer, was recently honored for her work with children at Meigs County Children Services.

Booth was named Ohio CASA’s 2024 Child Welfare Advocate of the Year at the association’s 29th Annual Celebrate Kids! Conference. She was honored for her dedicated work with youth in foster care and her collaboration with the Meigs-Gallia CASA/GAL Program. 

Booth said it is an honor to be chosen for this award, as she believes every child deserves to grow up happy, safe, and loved. 

“I grew up in poverty to teen parents and became a teen parent myself at 17 years old. I was able to lead a successful life because my family never doubted me and pushed me to do my best,” said Booth. “My situation is a testament that every child is one caring adult away from a success story. I will forever strive to make this world a better place.” 

Nominated by the Meigs-Gallia CASA/GAL program, staff shared that Booth served as the Assistant Supervisor at Meigs County Children Services, working closely with CASA volunteers and children in the foster care system.  

“She goes above and beyond for our local youth,” said Chelsey Kloes, Meigs-Gallia CASA/GAL Program Director. “She has assisted little ones through the traumas and victimizations of physical and sexual abuse. She has assisted older children who are about to ‘age out’ of the system find jobs and housing as they are pushed into being adults.” 

Kloes said Booth served as the county’s first CASA volunteer while in college.  

“She is also a champion for collaboration between CASA volunteers, caseworkers, and other professionals,” said Kloes. “She speaks up and says hard things when others remain quiet. I have also observed April speak up on behalf of a child about issues or needs not being met. There is no better person to be chosen for this award than April Booth.” 

Ohio CASA honors multiple child welfare advocates, like Booth, and CASA volunteers at its yearly conference, attended by a record 700 people in late September this year. 

Meigs and Gallia Counties have operated a CASA program since 2016. 

CASA volunteers are community members who undergo extensive training and then advocate for children experiencing abuse and neglect. If you’d like to become a CASA volunteer or support this work, you can learn more at ohiocasa.org or on the Meigs-Gallia CASA program website.