Advocates for children in foster care
CASA of Milam County is made up of staff, volunteers, board members, and community supporters who care deeply about children and families in Milam County.
Our staff trains and supports CASA volunteers as they advocate for children in foster care. CASA volunteers are appointed by the court to get to know the child, gather information, and make recommendations focused on the child’s best interests, safety, well-being, and permanency.
Every role on our team supports the same mission: helping children in foster care feel seen, heard, and supported while decisions are being made about their lives.
Executive Director
Rachel Owens
Rachel Owens has extensive history working with children, especially those who have suffered abuse.
She has a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Psychology, a Masters degree in Elementary Education, an Educational Specialist degree in School Counseling, and a PhD in Counseling. She is a Nationally Certified School Counselor and is currently back at Texas A&M University, attending Law School.
She was a Professor for 11 years in the field of school counseling, teaching students working on their Masters in School Counseling.
She investigated abuse and sexual assault for the State of Texas for many years. She has been involved with the Milam County CPS Board as the Treasurer, assisting with ensuring the kids in CPS care in Milam County have Christmas presents, clothing for the year, birthday cards and their physical needs met.
She is also the Treasurer for the Regional CPS Board for the State of Texas, as well as a Delegate. She has counseled at some of the lowest income schools with very high rates of abuse and neglect because of poverty and cyclical abuse patterns.
She is currently completing national research to find teachers’ attitudes and perceptions of obesity and weight in children and their students.
Her biggest accomplishment is her 3 children and 2 grandchildren. None of her philanthropy work is possible without the support of her husband, Josh Owens.
Advocate Volunteer Supervisor
Addie Garrison
Addie is the Advocate Volunteer Supervisor at CASA of Milam County, where she works closely with volunteer advocates supporting children in foster care.
She helps advocates manage their cases, think through decisions, and keep the child’s best interests at the center of the conversation.
Her background in education and marketing shapes how she approaches advocacy—paying attention to details, asking better questions, and making sure important information doesn’t get lost.
She believes every child deserves someone who is paying attention, showing up consistently, and advocating loudly for them.