Michigan CASA expands into Huron County

FAMILY COURT TO SWEAR-IN 5 VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN

BAD AXE, MI – July 28, 2022: The CAN Council has trained 5 Huron County volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for abused and neglected children. The first CASA training in Huron County launched in May this year. Culmination of the 6-week training program is a swearing-in ceremony officiated by The Honorable Gerald M. Prill at the Huron County Courthouse on August 4 at 1:30PM.

CASAs are highly trained volunteers serving as the voice for children who are in the court system due to abuse or neglect. Their advocacy helps ensure services are provided for these youth, their best interests are served, and their voices are heard. The newly launched program in Huron County is an expansion of the program that began serving Saginaw County youth 20 years ago. Since then, the CAN Council has expanded the program into Bay County in 2013 and was eager to bring the program to Huron County this year at Judge Prill’s request.

 Of the program, Judge Prill says, “It is my belief that the CASA Program is a trusted and valued organization working to improve outcomes for youth in the Bay and Saginaw County court systems. The 52nd Judicial Circuit Court fully supports the Program’s expansion into Huron County. I look forward to having the CASA Program serving our community’s vulnerable children.”

There will be another CASA training held this fall at the CAN Council’s Bad Axe location beginning September 6 from 5-8PM every Tuesday for 6 weeks. Applications to volunteer are due by August 23 and are found at cancouncil.org/casa. Anyone interested in learning more about the CASA Program may contact CASA Program Director Katherine Griffiths at kgriffiths@cancouncil.org or by calling (989) 623-0257.