State Director – Charles Lerner

Charles Lerner brings over 20 years of experience in child welfare and mental health. He is the founding Executive Director of Boston CASA. During his seven-year tenure, Boston CASA increased revenue from $60,000 to over $800,000, volunteers from 33 to 175, and children with advocates from 60 to 225. His previous work has included leading the first LGBTQ foster-to-permanency program in California as well as teaching at multiple universities including California State University- East Bay and Harvard University. He holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. 

Charles is a previous foster youth and an adoptive father. His son had a CASA and she’s still in their lives close to a decade later. He joins Massachusetts CASA in the hopes to elevate the CASA network across the Commonwealth and support local programs across the state to reach their goals. Charles believes that foster care, as we know it, does not work for children, their families, or society. As a matter of fact, the system is harmful and unjust. He plans to leverage his role as State Director to be a catalyst for change, including bringing greater dignity and humanity to the system. Stay tuned for regular communications from Charles. He welcomes messages at charles@macasa.org.