Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program of Genesee County provides highly trained community volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children who come into the court system as result of abuse and neglect.

Every child has the right to a safe, permanent and caring home. Yet each year in Genesee County over 8,000 children are alleged victims of abuse or neglect. More than 2,000 of these children live in foster care or with relatives because it is not safe to return home. Most of these children will end up in court. Their only “crime” is that they have been victims.

Who is a CASA volunteer?
CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens, specially trained and appointed by Family Court judges to speak up for these most vulnerable children. CASA volunteers are respected and trusted sources of crucial information. A CASA volunteer will research the care, assess the facts, identify key problems, and submit court reports. They attend hearings, provide insight to the judge and recommend actions in the best interest of the child.

It is up to a Family Court judge to decide the child's future.

A CASA volunteer is appointed to a limited number of cases or sibling groups. They work in partnership with attorneys and foster care workers as appointed officers of the court. The CASA volunteer takes time to find out as much as possible about the child from relatives, neighbors, teachers and friends in order to provide objective information to the Family Court judge. The CASA volunteer may be the only consistent adult a child has contact with during their case.

What Does It Take To Be a CASA?
Commitment to children, common sense and persistence, objectivity, responsibility, communication skills, the ability to talk to a variety of people, and about 15 hours a month.

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. A social work or legal background is not required.

CASA volunteers are screened to ensure the safety of the children. They receive over 30 hours of training on Michigan law, the child protection system, the dynamics of abuse and neglect, child development and the juvenile justice system.

For additional information about CASA, please contact Jamie Brooks, CASA Program Manager at 810-234-7160 or by email at casa-manager@sbcglobal.net.