Staff Spotlight: Leslie Cocke, Advocacy Development Specialist
Leslie Cocke, JD, MA, is the Advocacy Development Specialist for Texas CASA, providing training, assistance and resources for best-interest advocacy for children in foster care to the 74 local CASA programs. Drawing on her legal background as an attorney and mediator, as well as her 15-year tenure with CASA as a CASA volunteer and staff member, Leslie creates and facilitates training for the CASA network on CASA’s legal role and responsibilities, confidentiality and DFPS court hearings to help ensure the safety and well-being of children in Texas. Leslie received her Bachelor of Arts & Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD/BCL) from Louisiana State University and her Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution from Southern Methodist University.
Háblenos de usted y de lo que le llevó a trabajar en el ámbito del bienestar infantil.
When my family moved to the DFW area in 2008, I was looking for a way to both get involved in the community and help children and families in need of support. The CASA mission felt like a good fit!
¿Cuánto tiempo lleva trabajando para CASA Texas y cómo se involucró en la misión de CASA?
I’ve worked for Texas CASA in a few different roles beginning in 2017 when I joined the CFE Team as the CFE Coach for Regions 2 and 3. Over the years, my role has changed but has always been focused on supporting local programs and bringing a legal lens to training and resources for the network.
Before joining Texas CASA, I was a CASA volunteer for 9 years and to date that is the work I am most proud of. Best interest advocacy for children and families is definitely what first drew me to the CASA mission and is what continues to keep me involved in this important work.
Tell us about your work on the Strategic Network Services team and your role as Advocacy Development Specialist.
I joined the Network Services team in 2020 on a project to develop a Mock Trial Video to help prepare volunteers for a final trial on their case. The Mock Trial Video and companion E-learning is still a great way to train volunteers to prepare for testifying and help shake off some of the nerves associated with a trial. Since that first project, I’ve continued to support the local program volunteer supervisors with training, assistance and resources as part of the STAR team. The STAR team provides 12 hours annually of supervisor and staff continuing education as well as annual in-person strengths-based supervision training. We are always available for support and coaching for program staff working directly with volunteers and to identify or create needed resources for the network.
How does your personal experience impact your work at Texas CASA?
Honestly, it’s the opposite, it is my work at Texas CASA and as a CASA volunteer that has impacted my personal experience. Most recently, working on the dual status resources and with the young men with dual-status lived experience that joined us at the Texas CASA Conference, I was profoundly inspired by the resilience and hope these young men embodied and how they were able to effectively communicate the real and significant difference that connection and advocacy made in their lives. I believe one person really can have a positive impact on the life of a child in foster care and that is at the heart of CASA advocacy and my work for Texas CASA.
¿Qué es lo que más le gusta de su trabajo?
I really enjoy developing training and resources to support and empower CASA volunteer supervisors. I’m an attorney by trade, which means I also love a good deep dive into different areas of best-interest advocacy. I deeply value working with the dedicated CASA staff who advocate tirelessly for children’s safety and well-being. I’m proud to be a part of Texas CASA and the CASA network, working towards solutions for children and families involved in the child welfare system.
