Inspired by her journey as a foster parent and mother to two adopted special needs children, she created CASA to ensure that special needs adults and their families receive the long-term care and support they deserve.

Caz is a highly experienced professional in Autism Spectrum Disorder, holding a Master’s Degree in ASD and a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Industrial Psychology. With over 20 years in the field, she has developed life skills programs for children with visual impairments, run her own behavioral therapy practice for children with ASD, and trained educators and caregivers to support inclusion. As founder of Spectrum ConNEXTions and former chair of Blue and You Autism Awareness, Caz combines professional expertise with personal experience as a mother of three, including a young adult with ASD, bringing deep empathy and commitment to her work.

Melissa represents Anderson and Abbeville counties for CASA Upstate SC, Inc. With deep community roots in Abbeville County and extensive experience in healthcare, Melissa is also a devoted parent to a special needs daughter. Her firsthand understanding of the challenges families face drives her passion for advocacy, support, and building a compassionate network for parents and caregivers.

Ellie is a passionate advocate and valued member of CASA dedicated to raising awareness for the special needs community and fostering meaningful connections, bringing heart, vision, and commitment.