Shane Salter, Executive Director / CEO

After founding CASA for Children of Washington, DC, Shane Salter went on to complete a two year appointment as Chief of Staff under Mayor Anthony Williams before returning to CASA as CEO in 2002. Here at CASA, he leads a community volunteer movement, consisting of nearly 150 advocates for children, where they enhance the decision making ability of judges regarding sibling placements, dual jacketed youth in child welfare and juvenile systems, family drug treatment, preparing youth for adulthood, and youth sexual identity. In his former capacity as Chief of Staff, he supported the Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders in providing oversight for the following District Government Agencies: Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Mental Health, Child and Family Services, Office of Aging, Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Human Rights, The State Education Office and The Public Library System.

Shane Salter has provided practice tips that are published on forgiveness in children, served on numerous boards and advisory committees, and authored the critically acclaimed book entitled, “When a Child becomes the 4-year old Parent…Trouble Don’t Last Always.” 

kevin Arnold, Youth Advocacy coordinator

Kevin Arnold is a native of Washington, DC; born and raised east of the river in the District’s Ward 8 section, formally known as South East Washington. He attended DC Public Schools and has lived in the District Housing Projects. Kevin graduated with honors from Oxon Hill Senior High and went on to attend Stratford University. He attended Martha Mary Washington Vocational school for Culinary Arts in the North West region of the District for one year. Kevin also attends and plays the African drums for Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, MD. He has been teaching drumming to the youth at Ebenezer and other district churches for over 10 years. Kevin found CASA DC by way of the Project Empowerment Program. His hard work and dedication led him to interview with CASA in May of 2008. His positive attitude, passion, and motivation to help children landed him a promotion to Program Assistant in September of 2008 and another promotion to Youth Advocacy Coordinator in November of 2009. 

RAQUEL HALSEY, PROGRAM ASSISTANT

 

A native of Maryland, Raquel Halsey has spent much of her life working to raise awareness on violence prevention, education and health concerns in the District of Columbia and Maryland. She came to CASA DC from StandardsWork, a DC-based nonprofit education consultancy. Before then, Ms. Halsey served as Congressman Albert R. Wynn's Staff Assistant, where she worked on legislative issues as well as managed the front office and internship program. Raquel began her career working with both Women in Film and Video of DC and ArbonaWorks, LLC helping to produce documentaries, public service announcements and live events. At CASA DC, Ms. Halsey coordinates CASA and B.U.D.D.Y. volunteer outreach and trainings.

PHILLIP LARTIGUE, Senior Manager of youth connectionS & B.U.D.D.Y. INitiative

Phillip Lartigue received his undergraduate degree in Legal Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Mr. Lartigue went on to receive a Juris Doctorate from the Boston University School of Law. He has been a part of CASA for two years; first with CASA Prince George’s County and currently, CASA for Children of DC. He served as a volunteer manager at both locations. Prior to his work at CASA, he spent three years working with foster care children in the Child in Need of Assistance Unit as a Law Graduate/Case Manager. A majority of his case load focused on working with teenagers and in addition to forging strong and lasting relationships, he ensured they had a powerful supportive voice in their court proceedings. Before becoming involved in advocating for abused and neglected children, Mr. Lartigue spent four years working at John Hancock Financial Services as an Assistant Manager on a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against the company. He supervised a team of 25 attorneys, serving as a resource and problem solver. Mr. Lartigue currently manages the Preparing Youth for Adulthood and B.U.D.D.Y. Mentoring Initiatives for CASA for Children of DC. 

sEETAL PARIKH, manager of youth connections 

Seetal Parikh came to CASA from Houston, Texas after graduating from the University of Houston in May 2006 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology. Initially, Seetal came on as an intern where she was assigned to a project that collaborated with Child and Family Services Agency. Seetal was then presented with an opportunity to join the staff full time. Currently, she manages the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Initiative, manages volunteers, takes charge of special events and co-facilitates with Mr. Lartigue on the Volunteer Advisory Committee.

ARIKA OROZCO, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE CEO

Arika Orozco is another Texas native on the CASA team.  She received her undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University before completing her Master of Social Work degree, with an emphasis on child welfare and clinical social work, from The Catholic University of America. Ms. Orozco first joined CASA DC during her first year of graduate studies where she revitalized the organization's Family Treatment Court Initiative. She then went on to manage a caseload with the District's Child and Family Services Agency during her second year internship. Now back at CASA DC, Ms. Orozco assists CEO Shane Salter in developing, evaluating, and overseeing the CASA program and initiatives.