Flint, MI – On September 11, in the Genesee County Circuit Court, the Honorable Judge Mary Hood will officially swore in six new Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). These dedicated individuals have completed eight weeks of training to serve as advocates for children in Genesee County’s foster care system.
“Today marks a powerful moment for our program,” said Candace Waggoner, director of the CASA Program at Voices for Children Advocacy Center on the date of the event.
Waggoner added: “We are grateful to have so many volunteers step forward to give children a voice. With more than 126 children currently being served and a waiting list of others in need, these new CASAs will make an immediate impact.”
CASAs play a critical role in advocating for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. They work closely with the courts, families, and service providers to ensure each child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and supportive environment.
ABOUT COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES
CASA is an acronym that stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are appointed by Genesee County Juvenile Court Judges to advocate for children, to make sure they have support and advocacy in navigating the foster care system. CASA partners with Genesee County Courts, Child Protective Services, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and various foster care agencies in Michigan. Volunteers are advocates for children (newborns to 18 years of age) who are in the juvenile court system as the result of allegations of abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers appear in court to speak on behalf of the child, complete visits with the child regularly, and provide comfort by letting the child know that someone is looking out for them. The CASA volunteer gets to know the child by talking with everyone in that child’s life: parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers, and others. They use the information they gather to inform judges and others of what the child needs and what will keep them safe, healthy, and thriving. CASA volunteers are specially trained to work on behalf of children in foster care to make sure the children receive the care and services they need. The CASA representative’s role is to look out for the child’s best interest, from the time they are assigned to the case until the child, or children are reunited with their family or in an adoptive home.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Voices for Children provides hope and advocacy for youth throughout Genesee and Shiawassee Counties. As the provider of child advocacy for this community, Voices for Children serves child survivors of abuse, neglect, and human trafficking, educates the community on prevention, and creates advocacy opportunities for the good of all children. Voices for Children provides free (virtual and in-person) community prevention education in the areas of child abuse and neglect, mandated reporting, human trafficking, safe sleep, resiliency and Adverse Childhood Experiences, internet safety, youth LGBTQ+ advocacy, and child body/personal safety for local elementary students. For a full list of Voices for Children’s vital resources and programs and to learn more about Child Advocacy Center services, please visit www.voicesforcac.org. For additional information about the CASA program contact (810) 238-3333 ext. 211.
