New CASA volunteers sworn in
New CASA volunteers include Joanna Ward, Stacie DaBolt, Matt Hall, McKenzie Koenig and Taryn Morgan. In front is District Court Judge Danni Coffman. (Courtesy photo)
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 for the 11th Judicial District.
District Court Judge Danni Coffman presided over the ceremony and administered the oath. Each new advocate received a certificate for the 50 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 courtprocess, laws relating to abuse/neglect, cultural diversity, interviewing, and how to writereports to the court.
In 2023, 155 children were served by CASA for Kids with 91 advocates in Flathead County. CASA’s goal is to assign an advocate for every abused/neglected child whoenters the foster care system.
Applications are being accepted for the next trainingcycle, which starts in March 2025. Get more information at www.flatheadcasa.org or bycalling 406-755-7208.