Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Erica Fischer-Kaslander

Name: Erica Fischer-Kaslander
Title: Executive Director
CASA Employee Since: July 2007

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I worked for a private infant and international adoption agency as well as helped run a volunteer nonprofit organization that provided open heart surgery to children in developing countries.

2)       Describe your job in five words.

Coordinator of Chaos, Decision Maker.

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

Nope. There is no "typical" for me. I could be doing absolutely anything. Today I went from cleaning out our server room to writing a new policy and next to a court hearing.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

I love my job. I love being about to respond to our kid's needs in common sense ways and knowing that we are pushing the needle, even a tiny bit, on systemic change of the child welfare system.

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

So many things... I have caught 1-inch long geckos in a plastic cup, not once but twice, when they were found in our former office. Since this is NJ, it was pretty crazy.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Definitely any sweet or carbs.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

Probably my sarcastic sense of humor or maybe my stubbornness.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

Ummmmm, none?

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

A book, my snorkel and a towel.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Muriel Leconte

Name: Muriel Leconte
Title: Advocacy Supervisor
CASA Employee Since: February 2021

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I’ve been working in child welfare for over 35 years. I got my start as a Caseworker at St. Vincent’s Children’s Services and later moved on to work as a Home Finder and Foster Parent Recruiter. I first worked at CASA in New York City as an Advocate Supervisor and later transitioned to Director of Volunteers. Before returning to work at CASA (this time in Passaic County), I was a Caseworker at SCO Family of Services for 12 years.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Fulfilling, Challenging, Necessary, Rewarding, Impactful.

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

On a typical day I start out reviewing emails and approving contact logs. I reach out to connect with my volunteers, see how they’re doing and if there’s anything important we need to address. Throughout the day, I’m also editing reports and attending court virtually.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

The opportunity to work with volunteers on behalf of the children in care. I am always in awe of anyone who would give their time to be involved with the child welfare system and champion the rights of the children within it. 

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

I worked with a young lady who overcame sexual abuse and domestic violence and wanted to go to college. Her choices included the University of Buffalo and SUNY Plattsburgh; however, she was about to decide without visiting both schools and her deadline was days away. We flew to Buffalo for an open house and later that day, I drove to Plattsburgh late at night so that she was able to visit SUNY Plattsburgh. She decided that school was where she belonged. This young lady graduated college having made the Dean’s List and is now working on behalf of youth in foster care.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I initially wanted to become a pediatrician until I realized that I was not too fond of the sight of blood.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Dry white rice.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

I have difficulty accepting no for an answer when I’m particularly passionate about something. It can sometimes be misinterpreted as slightly aggressive but really it’s just assertive passion for a cause. 

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

When I was younger, people said that I looked like Anita Baker because we had similar haircuts.

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

My dog Mozzie, my husband, and my children.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Carol Costello

Name: Carol Costello
Title: Advocacy Supervisor
CASA Employee Since: January 2021

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I did a number of things before arriving at Passaic CASA, including working at Essex County CASA. But immediately before coming here I spent most of last year volunteering as a cook with a community feeding program in Montclair. I had been laid off from my position as a Volunteer Manager with an organization in NYC that provided career services along with clothing for disadvantaged women.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Supporting volunteers in their advocacy.

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

A typical day for me includes tracking upcoming court dates and volunteer activities, answering volunteer questions, finding out answers to other questions, assisting with and editing court reports, adding and updating info in our database, attending court hearing(s), making daily to do lists and getting immense satisfaction from checking off items.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

Knowing that children in difficult circumstances have another caring and involved adult in their lives.

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

It's early days yet here in this position so nothing too crazy has happened yet! But when I worked for Essex County CASA I was involved in their annual holiday gift program. Each December I would clock tons of miles on my car picking up donations. The toys would pile up throughout my house until they could be delivered to their intended recipients.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When it became apparent that supermodel was not a viable career path for me, somewhere in my early teens I was drawn to law because I wanted to help the underdog. At one point, my particular aspiration was to be the first woman on the Supreme Court. Sandra Day O'Connor crushed that dream for me.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Chocolate.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

My sarcastic sense of humor. It is often misunderstood , but somehow I don't learn and keep it up.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

No one person that I can think of, but I am often told that I remind people of someone they know. I think I have one of those faces.

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

Chocolate (are you sensing a theme?), a thick good book that I wouldn't mind re-reading often, and a companion - one who is easy to talk to and is skilled in wilderness survival (come to think of it, I guess that's my husband).

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Marian Golan

Name: Marian Golan
Title: Advocacy Supervisor
CASA Employee Since: November 2020

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I worked for 22 years as a school psychologist at a public school in Passaic County.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Exciting. Fast-paced. Challenging. People-oriented. Just-right-for-me (Is that cheating?)

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

Review the day’s calendar; I am petrified I will miss a court hearing. Respond to emails. Attend staff meetings. Talk with CASAs by phone (and hope for some in-person meetings)! Edit court reports. Keep on top of due dates and alert CASAs ahead of time. Converse with colleagues.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

Working with CASA volunteers, as we learn together. I love getting to know new people.

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

Coming out of the retirement I'd just started. But there will be more to report later, I know it.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A teacher. I loved school from the day I entered kindergarten.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Grilled cheese.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

My chattiness.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

Carole King. We both have lots of curls and we both love to sing.

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

Books. Music to listen to. A piano.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Tiffany Mendoza

Name: Tiffany Mendoza
Title: Bilingual Advocacy Supervisor
CASA Employee Since: November 2020

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

Before CASA, I was working at a single, adult male homeless shelter, in NYC, as a Case Manager Supervisor.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Rewarding, informative, busy, challenging, honest

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

A typical day for me always starts with a cup of coffee. I work my way through my "to do" list. Many times that means attending court hearings, editing court reports and making follow-up phone calls. After work, I go home and spend time with family or just relax.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

The best part of working for CASA is that it doesn't feel like work! I love what I do!

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

Thus far, nothing unusual or crazy. Ask me this same question probably in another month or 2 and I'm sure I will have an interesting story.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be anything and everything! When I hit high school, I wanted to be a psychologist and that was my first major in college.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

That's a tough question, I'm going to have to say sushi. I can literally eat it ALL the time!

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

Being outspoken.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

Curly Sue (Alisan Porter), mainly because of my curly hair, but also because my personality is similar to hers in the movie, I can be a firecracker.

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

I would bring sunscreen, water purifying tablets, and an axe.