Montcalm CASA

Montcalm CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) trains, supports, and oversees qualified adult volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system. Our volunteers serve as dedicated voices, ensuring the needs of these children are met and advocating for a safe, permanent home.

What does CASA stand for?
Court Appointed Special Advocates

Who is a CASA volunteer?
A CASA volunteer is a compassionate adult community member who has been screened and trained by CASA staff and sworn in by the judge to advocate for and be a voice in court for abused and neglected children.

What is a CASA volunteer’s role?
A CASA volunteer gets to know the child to whom they are assigned and offers support, friendship, and advocacy. A volunteer works with the child’s family and all professionals on a child’s case in order to ultimately make recommendations to the judge as to what is in the best interest of the child. A CASA volunteer will help explain the court process to the child and will listen to and relay a child’s feelings, hopes, and opinions in court.

What does being a CASA require?
A CASA volunteer must successfully be interviewed, screened, complete a minimum of 30 hours of training, observe court hearings, and be sworn in by the juvenile court judge prior to their first case assignment. Each CASA volunteer must meet regularly and consistently with the child they are assigned to. The volunteer will submit a report to the court for each hearing, will attend court hearings, and work collaboratively with all professionals involved in the abuse/neglect case. A CASA is required to make a commitment to the program for 12 months or until the resolution of their case, whichever comes first.

What are the qualifications?
A Montcalm CASA volunteer may be any compassionate community member who is 21 years old, has a valid driver’s license, and has no history of abuse or neglect. A CASA must be screened, interviewed, trained, and sworn in prior to being assigned a case.