CASA:
Court Appointed Special Advocates
BEING A CASA
WHAT IS A COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (CASA)?
CASA/GAL volunteers are appointed by a jurist (judges or referees) to advocate for children’s best interests. They remain with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. We serve children from birth through the age of 21 years old.
Volunteers work with legal and child welfare professionals, educators and service providers to ensure that jurists have all the information they need to make the most well-informed decisions for each child.
Our best-interest volunteer work advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that helping children grow and develop best with their family of origin, if that can be safely achieved. Most of the children we do volunteer work with are in foster care, but some are with their family of origin and most children who leave foster care do so to return to their family. For many of the children we work with, their advocate will be the one constant in an otherwise chaotic life. Their best-interest advocacy work helps ensure that children are safe, have a permanent home and have the opportunity to thrive. Volunteer in Oakland County.
Meet the Team
Brenda Baker-Mbacke, Director of CASA
Michelle Watson, Case Manager
Chris Bieszczad, Case Manager
70 Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates
A Powerful Voice in a Child’s Life®
In 1977, Judge David Soukup, a Seattle juvenile court judge felt he needed more information about the children he was making life-changing decisions for. He had an idea of getting citizen volunteers who would be trained and represent the best interests of abused and neglected children.
Do I Qualify?
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must have a high school degree or equivalent.
Good communication skills (written and verbal)
No experience necessary (this could be an advantage)
Fill out an application and undergo a comprehensive background check
Proof of own insured transportation
A passion for giving a voice to those not often heard with a commitment to see your case to the end.
