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East Orange Today
By the People, for the People
National CASA/GAL Association Elects Tawanna Brown as Inaugural Young Adult Trustee
Brown will bring valuable lived experience to the organization's board of trustees.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association has elected Tawanna Brown, an advocate and mentor with lived experience in the child welfare system, to its national board of trustees as the inaugural Joseph R. Bankoff Young Adult Trustee. This new role was established to ensure the voice and perspective of young adults with lived experience are represented at the highest level of the organization.
Why it matters
The appointment of Tawanna Brown as the Young Adult Trustee is an important step in National CASA/GAL's strategic plan to elevate the voices of individuals with lived experience in the child welfare system. Her unique perspective and advocacy work will help inform the organization's efforts to support and empower youth in the system.
The details
Brown, a graduate of Seton Hall University, has been a nationally recognized voice for youth in the child welfare space, championing reform, empowerment, and equity. She has served on the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) Youth Council and collaborated with DCF on initiatives like the Siblings' Bill of Rights. Most recently, she served as the Advocacy and Policy Fellow for the Arthur Coachman Fellowship at Children's Rights.
- The National CASA/GAL Association announced Brown's election to the board on February 26, 2026.
The players
Tawanna Brown
An advocate, mentor, coach, and motivational speaker with lived experience in the child welfare system, who has been elected as the inaugural Joseph R. Bankoff Young Adult Trustee on the National CASA/GAL Association's board of trustees.
Tara Perry
The CEO of the National CASA/GAL Association, who welcomed Brown to the board and praised her passion, resilience, and insight.
James (Jim) Rishwain Jr.
The chair of the National CASA/GAL Board of Trustees, and a partner at the international law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
National CASA/GAL Association
The organization that elected Tawanna Brown to its board of trustees as the inaugural Joseph R. Bankoff Young Adult Trustee.
New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The state agency where Brown served on the Youth Council and collaborated on key initiatives.
What they’re saying
“We are thrilled to welcome Tawanna to our board of trustees. She is a dynamic, accomplished young leader whose passion, resilience, and insight will enrich our work in profound ways. Tawanna represents the very impact of our mission—youth who, with advocacy and support, rise to become powerful advocates themselves. Her voice and vision will be invaluable as we continue building a brighter future for children and families.”
— Tara Perry, CEO of National CASA/GAL Association (globenewswire.com)
“Being appointed to the National CASA/GAL Board of Trustees is an incredible honor and a continuation of the work I've dedicated myself to since my early teenage years. I understand what it means to be seen and heard. As the first young adult trustee, I am proud to bring my lived experience to the table and serve as a voice for the voiceless.”
— Tawanna Brown (globenewswire.com)
What’s next
The National CASA/GAL Association will continue to work with Tawanna Brown and the newly expanded board of trustees to elevate the voices of individuals with lived experience in the child welfare system and advance their mission of supporting court-appointed volunteer advocacy.
The takeaway
The appointment of Tawanna Brown as the inaugural Young Adult Trustee on the National CASA/GAL Association's board demonstrates the organization's commitment to ensuring the perspectives of youth with firsthand experience in the child welfare system are represented at the highest levels of leadership. This move aligns with the broader effort to amplify the voices of those directly impacted by the system and drive meaningful change.
