Angie Jones
Executive Director
[email protected]
(501) 340-6946
Angie has been with CASA for over 10 years. She first served as a Volunteer Advocate before transitioning to the role of Advocate Supervisor with Grand Prairie CASA. She joined Pulaski County CASA in early 2020 as the Program Coordinator and became Executive Director in July 2022. Angie was raised in Central Arkansas and has over twelve years of experience working with children and families.
Angie is a Certified Volunteer Manager, Certified Guided Facilitator, Certified Youth Mental Health First Aider, and a certified trainer for National CASA Preservice Training and Managing Youth Trauma Effectively (MYTE) Parenting.
Her goal is to work in conjunction with the County Government, Staff, Volunteer Advocates, and Pulaski County Friends of CASA, Inc. Board of Directors to maintain the highest program standards, grow, and strengthen Pulaski County CASA.
Angie is active in her church and community. Together she and her husband, Eric, have 3 grown children; Jerril, Hannah, & Fox, and three precious granddaughters: Lilly, Rosalee, & Sierra.
Stanley Barnes
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(501) 340-6778
Born number 5 of 6 children to a single mom, Stanley Barnes, grew up living in the largest housing project in the state of Arkansas located in Little Rock. He was faced with crime, drugs, poverty, and the fact that nothing good was expected to come out of the projects. He overcame the odds that were stacked against him to be the first one in his family to go to college.
Now also a minister, Reverand Barnes has over 40 years of leadership and quality experience in youth and adult mentoring, mental health, sports and community-based programs. Since 1983, he has held supervisory and leadership roles at prominent companies, agencies, and schools in Central Arkansas. He has over 40 years of related experience, excellent capabilities, and a strong desire to truly mentor children, youth, young adults, and others by helping develop them socially, spiritually, mentally, and physically while empowering them to achieve their optimal level of health to become outstanding citizens in their communities, and society.
In addition to his role as Program Coordinator at Pulaski County CASA, Rev. Barnes currently serves as the founder and CEO of Building Bridges/Mending Fences Mentoring, a mentoring program, relationship-building skills training, and consultant ministry that travels across the country training, empowering, and encouraging mentors to build positive relationships with youth, their families, and others that last a lifetime. Rev. Barnes is also a Certified Guided Facilitator & Certified Trainer for Better Dads parenting.
He has been honored as a top-five nominee for the Honorable Vicki Shaw Cook Award of Distinction and received mentoring proclamations from the Mayor of Hot Springs and the Arkansas Governor.
Xanthoula Groom
Outreach & Training Coordinator
[email protected]
(501) 340-6732
Xanthoula is a native of Greece. She has lived in Arkansas since 1991. She became a CASA Advocate in 2014. Xanthoula diligently advocates for the children and families she represents. In addition to her role as Advocate, Xanthoula is Pulaski County CASA’s Community Outreach & Training Coordinator. She is a Certified Trainer and Certified Guided Facilitator.
She met her husband Bruce when he was in the military and stationed in Greece. They have been married for 35 years and have 3 biological children. Several years ago, they became foster and adoptive parents and grew their family to include a fourth child. They are also the proud Papou and Yiayia to 2 beautiful grandchildren. Xanthoula is very active in her church and community.
Ashley Scarlet
Advocate Supervisor
[email protected]
(501) 340-6778
Ashley grew up in various parts of Arkansas as a foster youth from the age of seven until she aged out at nineteen. This is where her true passion for abused and neglected children began. She had her first experience with CASA in her early teens when she herself was appointed an Advocate. Prior to joining the CASA Team, Ashley worked diligently in the hospitality industry as a Hotel General Manager. In addition to that role, she is also an Area Representative for International Student Exchange. She resides in Little Rock with her two biological children (one and 13) and two International Exchange Students (17 & 18).
Ashley most enjoys spending time with her children, traveling, and having random dance parties in her living room with her children. Ashley’s motivation to assist foster youth in becoming successful, happy, and well-rounded adults is what makes her a perfect fit for this role. She hopes to use her life experiences to help children find comfort and calmness after the trauma.
Meri Ann Wyn
Advocate Supervisor
[email protected]
(501) 340-6741
Meri Ann Wyn newly relocated to Arkansas from the Pacific Northwest. She grew up in West Michigan where her family was tribal affiliated with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
She is a veteran that served in the United States Army for 10 years. In the military, she worked as a Mental Health Specialist and was trained as a Combat Medic/EMT.
Meri Ann went to Saint Martin’s University in Washington State, where she attended her graduate program and earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Community Services. With both academic disciplines, she graduated with magna cum laude honors. She is currently enrolled in an intensive post-graduate level certificate program in traumatic stress studies from the Trauma Research Foundation.
Meri Ann has extensive experience working with children and families in a variety of settings, such as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health, adoptions, and early childhood education. She initially became involved in child advocacy through her volunteer work as a CASA. Meri Ann enjoys working with families, and she is happy to be part of a wonderful team with Pulaski County CASA! A favorite quote of hers, “To a child love is spelled T-I-M-E.” – Zig Ziglar
Sylvia Harrison
Advocate Supervisor
[email protected]
(501) 340-6741
Sylvia Harrison was drawn to CASA because of her compassion for others and her lived experience. Sylvia was raised in middle Tennessee and was in foster care in the Nashville area for 5 years with her baby sister. So, her love for helping the kids CASA advocates for is near and dear to her. Sylvia didn’t have a CASA and sees how impactful they are to children in care.
Sylvia has been working for CASA programs for 10 years. Prior to becoming an Advocate Supervisor, she spent a year as a CASA Volunteer. In addition to her CASA work, Sylvia has spearheaded multiple community outreach drives including coat drives, beauty bag drives, and duffle bag drives. Sylvia also runs a sensory box company called Box for a Cause that is community-focused and gives back a percentage of all earnings to local non-profit programs.
Training is another of Sylvia’s talents. She is a certified trainer for Managing Youth Trauma Effectively (MYTE) training and for CASA Pre-Service training. She has also had multiple speaking engagements on local and state level about her life in care. She created a training called “18 homes” and has recently developed another training to share with fellow CASA programs called “Foster to Love” about her experiences in the system, her own personal testimony , and how God has been her guide her whole life.
Tara McCain
Advocate Supervisor
[email protected]
(501) 340-6732
Tara grew up all over the place, and considers herself to be something of a nomad, having been born in Colorado and lived in Wyoming, Louisiana, Texas, Scotland, Florida, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Ireland, and now Arkansas. She has traveled extensively within the United States and overseas, including a mission trip to Papua New Guinea, and continues to travel when able.
She is married with four children and is active in her church and community. Her educational background includes choral conducting and vocal performance, and she is involved locally as a private music teacher of voice and various instruments, contract pianist for local area organizations and events, and substitute choral director for several area community and church choirs.
Tara has served as a crisis counselor to girls and women through pregnancy help centers, women’s shelters, jails, churches, and a Houston-based ministry she founded and directed. She worked with CASA before getting married and moving to Ireland and is excited to be connected back to CASA, now that her children are older and she is finished homeschooling. She also served for a time as a jail chaplain.
She is passionate about helping children and their families to overcome the effects of trauma, abuse, grief, trafficking, and other crisis situations – not just to survive in life but to thrive.
Tara enjoys spending time with family and friends, teaching Bible studies, traveling, reading, playing board and card games, hiking, camping, sports, music, animals, puzzles, crafts, and cooking.
Diana Smith
Advocate Supervisor
[email protected]
(501) 340-6732
Diana Smith comes to CASA with a heart for kids in the foster care system. As the grandmother of 3 adopted foster kids, she has a unique insight and perspective that drives her passion for ensuring every child has a chance to succeed and reach their full potential. Diana has been advocating for children and their rights for the last seven years in various states and is currently working with Pulaski County CASA.
Prior to joining CASA, Diana spent 25 years in the education field, helping students with their academics, coursework, and guiding them through the college selection process.
Diana has been married for 31 years to her husband, who has served in the educational field for 25+ years. Diana has three adult children and four grandchildren. Diana is looking forward to continuing her work at CASA and helping impact children’s future in the foster care system.
Tristan Traylor
Teen Specialist
[email protected]
(501) 340-6732
Tristan, a native of Hot Springs, AR, is a compassionate individual dedicated to serving his community and beyond. Born as the youngest son of his parents, Tristan’s upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility and a passion for helping others.
Tristan’s educational journey began at Hot Springs High School, where he proudly graduated before pursuing higher education. He obtained an Associate of Arts and Liberal Studies Degree from National Park Community College and furthered his academic pursuits by earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Central Arkansas.
Currently residing in Little Rock, AR, Tristan leads a multifaceted professional life. He is deeply committed to his roles at Pulaski County CASA, where he works tirelessly to advocate for the welfare of children, and the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office, where he focuses on promoting road safety and preventing accidents. Additionally, Tristan serves the community in a compassionate capacity at Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services, extending comfort and support to grieving families during their times of need.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Tristan is a beacon of hope and positivity for the underserved and minority populations. He utilizes his expertise to provide crucial health information and resources to those in need. Inspired by his unwavering faith and love for humanity, Tristan actively contributes to advancing the Kingdom by spreading kindness and compassion wherever he goes.
Tristan’s dedication to serving others extends beyond his professional commitments. He is deeply involved in various community coalitions and boards, including The Giving Team Inc., P.H.O.E.B.E., Sharing Love Outreach Inc., and the Hot Springs Stop the Violence Coalition. Through these engagements, Tristan strives to foster unity, promote social justice, and create positive change within his community.
Known for his outgoing spirit and boundless enthusiasm, Tristan’s organizational skills are matched only by his genuine desire to make a difference. Whether he’s coordinating community events, volunteering at local shelters, or mentoring youth, Tristan’s passion for service is contagious, inspiring others to join him in his mission of uplifting those in need.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Tristan remains humble and committed to his calling of serving others. He looks forward to continuing his journey of community service and making a lasting impact on the lives of those he encounters, both locally and beyond.