RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Seventh Circuit CASA Program announced today that Executive Director Kehala Two Bulls will step down from her role effective October 20, 2026, after leading the organization for the past decade. Longtime CASA staff member Bailey Johns will step into the role of Interim Executive Director beginning October 21, 2026.

Two Bulls has served as Executive Director for the past 10 years. Under her leadership, the Seventh Circuit CASA Program achieved significant administrative and financial stability, strengthening the organization’s capacity to advocate for children in the region’s child welfare system.

Two Bulls is leaving CASA to take on a new role as Director of Programs for the Northern Plains Region with Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA), where she will oversee short- and long-term support services to 20 Tribal Nations across Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington. PWNA’s programming in the Northern Plains supports Tribal Nations and local nonprofits with $5.75 million annually, an additional $140,000 in scholarships, and 1 million pounds of supplies and services each year.

Board Chair, Chris Hornick comments, “On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank Kehala Two Bulls for her dedication to CASA and to the children we serve. Her commitment to making sure every child in foster care has a voice has left a lasting mark on this organization, and while we’re sad to see her go, we’re deeply grateful for everything she’s given. We’re also excited to have Bailey Johns step in as Interim Executive Director. As an Advocacy Program Manager, Bailey knows our volunteers, our cases, and our mission from the inside, and she has the knowledge and ability to lead us through this transition without missing a beat. The whole board is behind her.”

“The past decade at CASA has been an amazing experience for me. I am forever changed from the things that I have learned. Naturally some of that is about the trauma that children in our community experience, but I have also had the privilege to witness the amazing talent and potential of the children we advocate for and the dedication of our volunteers,” said Two Bulls.

Stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director is Bailey Johns, who has been with the Seventh Circuit CASA Program since January 2019. Johns brings a broad base of institutional knowledge and a strong commitment to the organization’s mission, and has been cross-training with Two Bulls to ensure a smooth transition.

“I am excited to shift my journey with CASA in this role, being in a position working directly with volunteers has been such an amazing experience. Seeing the direct impact these positive connections make for the children in our community is beautiful and truly inspiring. Stepping into the Interim Executive Director role to continue our mission is an honor. I am so grateful for the confidence and support I have in our board, volunteers and staff. Our mission would not be possible without these dedicated humans committing their time and hearts to our work.”

The Seventh Circuit CASA Board of Directors will host an event in the coming weeks to recognize Two Bulls’ achievements during her tenure and to welcome Johns into her new role. Details on the date, time, and location will be announced soon.

About Seventh Circuit CASA Program

The Seventh Circuit CASA Program covers the South Dakota Seventh Judicial Circuit including all of Pennington, Custer and Fall River counties beginning in 1986, making it the first CASA Program in the state of South Dakota. The Seventh Circuit CASA Program believes that every child deserves a safe, permanent, nurturing home. We recruit, train, and supervise volunteers to advocate in court for the best interest of abused and neglected children. Our goal is to provide a “voice” in court for every child who needs one. In the past 40 years, we have advocated for more than 5,221 children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

There are currently 93 children with CASA volunteers in the Seventh Circuit and 501 children waiting for a CASA, if you are interested in becoming a child advocate please visit: casaofrapidcity.org/become-a-casa and apply today!