CASA – Legal Aid for Children – moves to new location in BH

Founded in June 2016, CASA of Southwest Michigan is part of a national network of over 950 CASA programs across the United States. Its mission is to provide highly qualified community volunteers to advocate for the interests of abused and neglected children in foster care. Since their inception, they have trained over 120 volunteers and served more than 325 children in Berrien and St. Joseph counties. However, there is still much work to be done as approximately 200 children enter foster care in Berrien County each year due to extreme abuse and neglect.

“CASA of Southwest Michigan plays an indispensable role in our community by ensuring vulnerable children have a dedicated advocate at their side during some of the most difficult times in their lives,” said Arthur Havlicek, president and CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. “Their commitment to service and justice not only impacts the children they serve, but also strengthens the entire child welfare system.”

The move to a nearby space allows the CASA team to be in close proximity to the Berrien County Courthouse and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) office, allowing the team to better serve and respond to the community’s needs of abused and neglected children in the foster care system.

“This milestone reflects the collective impact of the continued generosity of our donors, the passion of our supporters and the strategic leadership of our Board. Their collective efforts are the foundation of our progress,” said Kate Rendell, executive director of CASA of Southwest Michigan.

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, there were over 591 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in Berrien and St. Joseph counties in 2023, and 310 children were placed in foster care. As CASA expands its efforts to support the region, they need community support in a variety of ways, including through volunteering, donations or simply raising awareness: every contribution has a lasting impact on the lives of local children.

Under the CASA model, each child assigned to their program is supported by a two-person team: a dedicated CASA volunteer and a CASA volunteer coordinator. Volunteers complete more than 30 hours of preparatory training before being assigned by a family court judge to handle a child’s case. Each volunteer visits their assigned child every 7-10 days, or monthly if the child is placed out of county, to ensure these at-risk youth have a consistent, caring advocate who can help them navigate the complex foster care system.

Research consistently shows that children with a CASA volunteer spend less time in foster care and are more likely to find a permanent home than children without CASA. Judges who work with CASA volunteers overwhelmingly agree that CASA volunteers positively influence court decisions and improve outcomes for children and families. In fact, nearly 99% of judges surveyed nationwide believe that CASA volunteers improve their ability to make the best possible decisions about a child’s future.

Locally, CASA of Southwest Michigan volunteers spent nearly 3,000 hours with youth in foster care last year alone, providing services at a cost of approximately $1,800 per child. As an organization, their goal is to ensure that every child in need is matched with a CASA volunteer and ultimately finds a safe and permanent home.

“This move re-energizes our mission to equip our dedicated volunteers whose tireless efforts make a difference in the lives of the youth we are privileged to serve,” Rendell added.

To learn more about their mission, volunteer or donate, please visit www.CASASWMI.org or follow them on Facebook at @CASASouthwestMichigan.