On Wednesday, February 7, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Oakland County held a swearing-in ceremony in Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Lorie N. Savin’s courtroom at the Oakland County Courthouse in Pontiac. A total of 30 volunteers swore the oath.
CASA Director Brenda Baker-Mbacké, CASA Managers Chris Bieszczad and Michelle Watson, Vice President of Programs at CARE House Tricia Schuster, MI CASA program President Patty Sabin, Referee Lisa Harris, and Judge Savin all spoke during the ceremony. They talked about their experiences with the CASA Program and the advocacy benefits a CASA volunteer provides for abused and neglected children in Oakland County.
The ceremony officially ended after our 30 volunteers were sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates. Light refreshments were served following the ceremony and provided by the Circuit Court.
Advocates complete between 30-40 hours of initial training prior to being assigned to a case. The volunteers who just completed the necessary training had nine weeks of in-person instruction on what the position entails and on courtroom observation, which is usually done via Zoom.
The responsibilities of a CASA volunteer include making contact with the child, being a safe adult for the child, reporting any new incidents of child abuse or neglect, conducting interviews of parties involved in the case, and attending all court hearings. In addition, CASA volunteers will submit recommendations concerning the case to the court in a signed report and maintain confidentiality.
CASA is a nationwide program that trains community volunteers of all walks of life to advocate for children under the care of the Department of Health and Human Services. A CASA volunteer assures that a child’s voice is heard in the system and supports the child’s placement in a safe and permanent home as soon as possible. CASA Advocates are often referred to as the “eyes and the ears” for the court. They are a voice for children who need it most.
Oakland County CASA is always looking for volunteers. A new training class is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 4, 2024. Individuals interested in helping our community's most vulnerable children can fill out an online application at www.casaoaklandcounty.org or call 248-332-7173.
CASA Director Brenda Baker-Mbacké, CASA Managers Chris Bieszczad and Michelle Watson, Vice President of Programs at CARE House Tricia Schuster, MI CASA program President Patty Sabin, Referee Lisa Harris, and Judge Savin all spoke during the ceremony. They talked about their experiences with the CASA Program and the advocacy benefits a CASA volunteer provides for abused and neglected children in Oakland County.
The ceremony officially ended after our 30 volunteers were sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates. Light refreshments were served following the ceremony and provided by the Circuit Court.
Advocates complete between 30-40 hours of initial training prior to being assigned to a case. The volunteers who just completed the necessary training had nine weeks of in-person instruction on what the position entails and on courtroom observation, which is usually done via Zoom.
The responsibilities of a CASA volunteer include making contact with the child, being a safe adult for the child, reporting any new incidents of child abuse or neglect, conducting interviews of parties involved in the case, and attending all court hearings. In addition, CASA volunteers will submit recommendations concerning the case to the court in a signed report and maintain confidentiality.
CASA is a nationwide program that trains community volunteers of all walks of life to advocate for children under the care of the Department of Health and Human Services. A CASA volunteer assures that a child’s voice is heard in the system and supports the child’s placement in a safe and permanent home as soon as possible. CASA Advocates are often referred to as the “eyes and the ears” for the court. They are a voice for children who need it most.
Oakland County CASA is always looking for volunteers. A new training class is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 4, 2024. Individuals interested in helping our community's most vulnerable children can fill out an online application at www.casaoaklandcounty.org or call 248-332-7173.
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