CASA volunteers sworn in
CASA volunteers were recently sworn in for CASA for Kids in Flathead County. From left in back, are Judge Heidi Ulbricht, Judge Robert Allison, Judge Dani Coffman and Judge Dan Wilson; and in front from left, Susan Davidson, Leslie Pittman, Benita Chuey, Kamy West and Katie Mast.
Five community members have been sworn in as CASA/GAL volunteers.
Each will work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate/ Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children in the Flathead County foster care system. District Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht presided over the ceremony last month and administered the oath.
Each new advocate received a certificate for the 56 hours of training they completed. The training covers topics such as the CASA/GAL role, child development, substance abuse disorders, domestic violence, assessing family strengths, the court process, laws relating to abuse/neglect, cultural diversity, interviewing, and how to write reports to the court.
In 2023, 155 children with 91 advocates in Flathead County were served by CASA for Kids. CASA's goal is to assign an advocate for every abused/neglected child who enters the foster care system within 30 days.
Applications are being accepted for the next training cycle, which starts in September 2024. Get more information at www.flatheadcasa.org or by calling 406-755-7208.