Jackson County CASA
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Frances Allsup, Executive Director
(228) 762-7370 ext. #38
CASA@co.jackson.ms.us

ABOUT US.
A Voice for Abused and Neglected Children in Court

Think child abuse doesn't happen in Jackson County, Mississippi? Think again.

CASA - Foster children In 2007 alone, there were over 1,600 cases of reported child abuse in our area. Think about that for a moment - 1,600 cases. That means there were at least 1,600 children right here in Jackson County who were either being abused, neglected or both by their guardians. For these children, life just isn't fair. First they suffer at home, and then they are thrown into a whirlwind of change by the system that is trying to help them. They have to adapt to new foster parents, a new school, a new lifestyle with new rules, and are surrounded by new people everywhere. For many of these children, the only constant in life is the smile and support of their Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Our organization has roughly 30 volunteers. These giving individuals work with the court to help the judge make the best possible decision regarding permanent placement of the children for which they advocate.

We are a non-profit and keep the doors open by donations and funding through the United Way alone. That is why we greatly need your help. If you want to do something to stop the cycle of child abuse, get involved with CASA. You can volunteer your time or your money or both. Contact us today to start helping out.

Our Staff

Frances Allsup
CASA Director
Email Frances
Former City Clerk/Administrator for City of Hokes Bluff, Alabama. Former Court Clerk/Administrator for City of Rainbow City, Alabama.

When I moved to MS, I applied to the County for part time work. I was hired as a Clerical Float and worked in many offices of the county. Youth Court needed some help at the front desk, so I worked as receptionist (still part time) for awhile, then I was moved to fill in for one of the Deputy Clerks, then when she returned, I was moved to the Judge Starks secretary. When her secretary returned, I moved into the CASA Executive Director position and remained with that for several years. I left for a short time and was asked back under a grant from the MS Supreme Court to work under a "pilot" software program, Mycids, which is now being used by many counties in our state. I remained with the part time grant program for appx. 5 years and as of October, 2006, returned to CASA as Program Director.

Katie Allsup
Administrative Assistant
Email Katie.
Katie was born in Hokes Bluff, Alabama. She was raised in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 2005 and attended Mississippi State University for two years before deciding to come back home. She recently earned her Associates of Arts Degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Jackson County Campus. She is attending the University of South Alabama and plans to earn her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She has been involved with CASA as a friend since 2006. She became a volunteer in 2008 and also works part-time as the Administrative Assistant with CASA. Read Katie's Mississippi Press story.