Montcalm CASA

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Montcalm County 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 caring, community-minded adult who has undergone screening and training by CASA staff and has been sworn in by the judge to advocate for and represent the voices of abused and neglected children in court.

What is a CASA volunteer’s role?
A CASA volunteer builds a relationship with their assigned child, offering support, friendship, and advocacy. They collaborate with the child’s family and professionals involved in the case to provide recommendations to the judge regarding the child’s best interests. The volunteer also helps explain the court process to the child, listening to and sharing the 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.