From CPS to Big Country CASA: Lee Ann Millender’s lifelong commitment to advocate for children

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Working with children who may have been neglected or mistreated requires a big heart, and Lee Ann Millender has had that heart from the very beginning of her career.

After graduating from college, she went right into work with Child Protective Services. 

“God put me where he needed me,” Millender said. “I graduated from college on a Friday and started to work for CPS on a Monday. So I can’t say anything about that other than bringing my faith that God put you where he needs you.”

Millender has worked to keep children safe for 35 years, first with CPS and for the past five years at Big Country Casa, as a court-appointed special advocate for children. Millender said the smallest actions have the biggest impact.

“There’s not any more meaningful work than what we do to make sure that these kids grow up to be successful adults who are contributing to society in positive ways,” Millender said. “We may think that it’s just a little simple thing of showing up at school, being there in court, or even visiting in the foster home. It matters to these children. It validates that they mean something and that someone is watching out for them.”

Dana Ward, who works alongside Millender, said that Millender’s caring spirit creates a positive and uplifting atmosphere.

“Every employee that she that works underneath her really knows that she cares about them all the way to their heart, not just as an employee or as a subordinate, but as a human being that’s doing this work because they care about it,” Ward said. “She’s not just a person who says we need to take care of kids. We need to take care of families. But she is a person who lives it out every day.”

Ward shared that one of Millender’s greatest qualities, perfectly suited for their work, is her keen eye and compassionate heart for others.

“I love that Lee Ann gets to look at our families and look at our kiddos in a very unique way. She really genuinely wants whatever’s healthy for our family and healthy for our community, not what looks exactly like someone else’s family,” Ward said. “She sees the diamond in the rough. She sees the potential behind people and families and kiddos. It’s important to have someone who not only is for the people, but of the people.”

According to Ward, Millender’s position isn’t just a job for her — it’s something that comes from the heart.

“She genuinely wants to see growth in whatever way, shape or form that looks like for families. I think that’s important because our community isn’t made of cookie-cutter people,” Ward said. 

Milender became the executive director for Big Country CASA in 2020. 

Throughout March, four women will be recognized on BigCountryHomepage for their remarkable efforts in the community. The winner of this year’s Remarkable Women contest will be announced on April 1, 2025.