LACASA Center’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program recently received additional funding to expand and advocate for more children in Livingston County’s Abuse/Neglect Court System. The expansion means CASA of Livingston County is seeking additional applicants for its volunteer training program, which begins in October.
CASA is a part of the National CASA organization which advocates for more than 251,000 children across the country who are in foster care or the family court system.
National CASA is a network of over 76,000 trained and screened volunteers who advocate in and out of court for our most vulnerable children. Advocates participate in specialized training programs and are appointed by a judge.
LACASA’s CASA of Livingston County program started in 2010 and assumed its first cases in 2011. Since then, 68 volunteers have advocated for more than 130 local children.
The additional funding for the program was awarded by Livingston County and will help the organization expand its capabilities and its volunteer training programs.
“We are grateful to Livingston County for making vulnerable children a priority,” said Sara Applegate, director of LACASA’s CASA program. “The additional funding will help us to advocate for more abused children from the community who desperately need advocates.”
LACASA’s CASA program works in conjunction with the Livingston County Court System and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
CASA volunteers often are the only consistent adults in the lives of abused and neglected children. They serve as a child’s voice during court proceedings and advocate for their wellbeing throughout the time they are in foster care.
“Our specialized volunteer training program begins in the fall,” said Applegate. “We encourage anyone who is interested in becoming a CASA volunteer to submit an application. Our volunteers tell us that becoming a CASA advocate is one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.”
The CASA Volunteer Training Program application deadline is Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. Applications are available on LACASA’s website. The fall training session begins on Oct. 4, 2016.
Anyone interested in learning more about the CASA Volunteer Training Program can contact Sara Applegate at (517) 548-1350, email her at sapplegate@lacasacenter.org, or visit lacasacenter.org.
