Stories and our Latest News
In an effort to keep our community aware of happenings across the state that relate to the mission of Michigan CASA and others involved in the protection of children, we will share relative articles and videos here. If you are aware of news releases or media broadcasts that would build awareness please email to information@michigancasa.org
Michigan CASA Board Secretary running 100 miles this weekend in support of Michigan's abused and neglected foster care children
Amy D’Aprile, Michigan CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates for Children) board secretary and CASA advocate, is running 100 miles across the state this weekend to help raise money for the nonprofit organization committed to advocating on behalf of abused and neglected children in Michigan’s foster care system.
Michigan CASA Applauds Signing of House Bill 5429, Strengthening Advocacy for Michigan’s Children
Michigan Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is thrilled to announce the signing of House Bill 5429, which further establishes the vital “Court-Appointed Special Advocate” program to ensure consistent representation for abused and neglected children across the state.
Help Your Volunteers SOAR with Optima: A Guide to Effective Volunteer Management
In the world of CASA, success often comes down to how well you can support, organize, and empower your advocates. That's where Optima comes in, offering comprehensive solutions to help your volunteers SOAR to new heights of engagement and productivity.
Focus on back to school; education, CASA/GAL volunteers, and children in the child welfare system
It’s back-to-school season, and although it can be an exciting time, it can also be filled with anticipation and anxiety. It can be especially overwhelming for children who are in the child welfare system due to allegations of neglect or abuse. CASA and GAL volunteers are trained to gather information to advocate for children’s best interest in the court and in the classroom.
FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Actions to Keep Children and Families Safely Together and Supported
The White House hosts a convening on transforming child welfare and announces new policy to prevent family separation due to poverty.
Michigan to become first in U.S. to implement kinship care rule for relatives taking in loved ones
Michigan will become the first state in the country to acknowledge kinship caregivers with the same level of financial assistance and licensing requirements as other foster care providers.
Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills to Protect Children and Cut Red Tape
Governor Whitmer signed two bipartisan bills to better protect foster care children in Michigan and ensure they are receiving a high-quality education.
The aim in Michigan is to increase the number of licensed Muslim foster care families
Michigan has a sizable Muslim population but only about 10 licensed Muslim foster care homes. It's difficult to place Muslim foster children with families of the same religious or cultural background.
Nonprofit opens home for youth aging out of foster care
A Grand Rapids adoption and foster care program is attempting to make the transition to adulthood easier for teens.
Advocates for Michigan foster youth hope education reforms will pass this year
When Christian Goode transferred from a traditional high school to Lakeside Academy, a state-licensed residential foster care facility near Kalamazoo, some of his academic records never made it over.
As a result, he had to repeat an entire year of classes, and redo school work he had already completed.
“At times, I didn’t want to do it, because I had already done it,” Goode said of the work. “It felt like I was forgotten and no one cared.”
Need for more foster families grows
Especially following the pandemic, there is a need for foster parents in Michigan. There are approximately 10,000 children in foster care in the state, and nearly 200 children who still need an adoptive family.
Experienced Court Leader Chosen to be Regional Administrator
Zenell Brown appointed to oversee Wayne County trial courts
CASA of Kent County has a new website
If you've visited the CASA of Kent County website recently, you may have noticed something is a bit different... their brand-new website.
Study Reveals Foster Children 4x More Likely to Get Psychotropic Drugs
Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) International says a recent study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology has unveiled the high prevalence of psychotropic drug usage among foster children.
CASA volunteers will continue to advocate for the best interests of children going back to school
As children and youth in the foster care system return to their schools or are faced with entering a new school environment, CASA volunteers will continue to advocate for the best interests of children and help families identify resources for them to be successful.
Kathleen Brach receives Michigan CASA Emeritus Board Member position
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to express our gratitude to Kathleen for her considerable contributions and dedication to Michigan CASA, Inc. as a valued board member and constant supporter.
Amid a Mental Health Crisis, Foster Children Are Forgotten
Recently, while I was conducting a survey investigating the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on children’s mental health, I noticed all my phone conversations were starting the same way: I would introduce myself as Tom, a medical student at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan, then ask if the person I was speaking to was the parent or guardian of the patient I was inquiring about
UPDATED: An ‘unimaginable’ conversation stirs in the U.S. Supreme Court
Native American tribes in Michigan are joining hundreds of others across the country, waiting on a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Indian Child Welfare Act.