Get to Know Lisa Cioffi, Essex County CASA Director

Lisa Cioffi recently started a new role as the Essex County CASA Director at Family Services of the Merrimack Valley. A part of the CASA/GAL national organization, Essex County CASA helps support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive. Learn more about Lisa, her career path, and what she hopes to accomplish in this new role.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Cambridge, MA. I went to college and law school in Boston and I have lived in southern New Hampshire for the last 15 years or so.

Can you talk to us a bit about your career path?
After graduating college, I worked for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in their legislative policy program, which sparked my interest in child welfare law. I decided to go to law school with the intention of practicing in the child welfare field. After law school, I practiced as a trial lawyer for DCF for several years. I also served as assistant general counsel to DCF where, among other areas, I represented the agency in appellate litigation before the Massachusetts’ Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. I took some time off to raise my daughter and when I returned to work I opened my own law practice where I represented parents and children in the Juvenile Courts and in Probate Court. I also worked for several years as a court investigator and GAL in the Essex County Juvenile Courts. Prior to joining the Essex County CASA program, I worked as a program manager for three years at CASA of New Hampshire.

Why Essex County CASA?
This program, under the leadership of Family Services, has been instrumental in advocating for the best interests of the most vulnerable children in our community for over 30 years.

What are some of your goals in this new role?
My goal is to work in conjunction with our advocates, staff, and stakeholders to build the capacity of the program so that we can serve more children who need CASA advocates.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I’m a homebody and like to hang out with my husband and daughter. We like to garden in the summer and cook together.