Spotlight of the Week: April Booth — A Well-Written Advocate for Children and Change

In every community, there are individuals whose dedication quietly shapes the futures of countless lives. These individuals do not seek the spotlight, but their work demands to be seen. This week, we turn that spotlight toward a remarkable woman, April Booth a true champion for children, families, and the future.

Named Ohio CASA’s 2024 Child Welfare Advocate of the Year, April’s journey is a profound testimony to the power of purpose, passion, and perseverance. Her story is not only inspiring but deeply human, a reflection of what it truly means to be an advocate.

April’s life could have gone in many directions. Growing up in poverty to teen parents and becoming a teen parent herself at 17, the odds were stacked against her. But she defied them all, with grit, determination, and the support of a family that never stopped believing in her.

“Every child is one caring adult away from a success story,” April says—a phrase she doesn’t just quote, but lives every single day.

With a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in criminal justice, April took her personal experiences and transformed them into professional excellence. In 2014, she became Meigs County’s first CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, planting the seed of a career that would grow into a lifelong mission.

Over the past eight years, April has carved a path of significant impact in child welfare. Today, she serves as the Assistant Supervisor of the Children Services Unit at Meigs County Job and Family Services, a role that encompasses leadership, mentorship, administration, and advocacy.

Her daily responsibilities are both vast and vital: supervising nine caseworkers, conducting forensic interviews, training new employees, managing compliance with state and federal guidelines, approving child welfare assessments, and leading efforts in foster care recruitment and licensing as a certified Tier 2 Assessor.

April is one of two certified forensic interviewers in her county, trained by the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Her specialized knowledge includes child death investigations, trauma-informed care, substance use in families, and the Reid Technique of interviewing and interrogation.

This is not just work. It’s a calling.

In her role, April has stood with children through the most unimaginable circumstances, cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and even child fatalities. She’s helped teens navigate the difficult journey of aging out of the system. And she’s been a constant support to CASA volunteers, always ensuring the child’s best interest remains front and center.

Chelsey Kloes, Director of the Meigs-Gallia CASA/GAL Program, captured April’s impact perfectly:

“She speaks up and says hard things when others remain quiet. She goes above and beyond for local youth and builds bridges between CASA volunteers, caseworkers, and professionals. There’s no better person to be chosen for this award than April Booth.”

Indeed, April isn’t just managing systems, she’s changing lives.

At the 29th Annual Celebrate Kids! Conference, attended by more than 700 people across Ohio, April was publicly recognized not just as a standout professional, but as a relentless advocate with a voice, a vision, and a heart for change.