Court Appointed Special Advocates work to ensure children in foster care are supported

May is Foster Care Awareness Month. Child abuse and neglect is likely on the rise in the aftermath of the ongoing pandemic, as families are put under more financial and emotional stress. One group of volunteers in St. Joseph County is working to ensure that abuse and neglect do not go unnoticed. 

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s) are community members who volunteer with CASA of Southwest Michigan. They work with children in the child welfare system who have already experienced abuse or neglect. They meet with children in person at least monthly (often weekly), and provide information to judges that helps them make the most well-informed decisions about each child. 

This program was started in St. Joseph County in March 2020 and the first volunteers trained in July 2020. 

In 2021, 56 volunteers spent more than 3,800 hours advocating for 114 children experiencing foster care in our community. 

“Many don’t realize that when a child is placed in foster care, they enter a complicated and confusing time in their lives, a time filled with almost constant change," said Jamie Brooks, CASA of Southwest Michigan executive director. "Our exceptional volunteers walk beside them, learn everything about them and make sure they are receiving the supports they need to thrive. They provide this vital information, along with their recommendations, to the court so that court can make the most informed decisions for that child. We’re there for them.” 

“We need volunteers now more than ever, and are encouraging all community members to join with us. We will be offering virtual, free CASA training to begin in June and volunteers will be able to begin advocating soon thereafter," Brooks said.

To volunteer or donate to CASA, contact Brooks at Jamie@casaswmi.org or visit  website: www.CASAswmi.org.