CASA's Mission

About CASA of Ingham County

There are currently over 1000 children in foster care in Ingham County.  These children enter the foster care system through the family court because they have suffered abuse and /or neglect at the hands of a parent or caregiver.  These children are victimized and then often subjected to multiple placements, estrangement from family and siblings, and a revolving door of professionals that often changes.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Ingham County exists to ensure that these victimized children do not fall through the cracks.  CASA's are ordinary citizen volunteers who make an extraordinary commitment to help a child.  With thorough training and supervision, the CASA acts as an independent advocate (appointed by a judge as an officer of the court) to investigate the case and offer an informed opinion of the child's best interests.  In most cases, the CASA is a child's only stable relationship during the tumultous time of locating a permanent, safe home.  The CASA volunteer visits the child weekly and stays involved until the child is in a permanent, loving home.

CASA is part of a national network

CASA began in 1977 in Seattle, Washington as a result of a family court judge who felt he wasn't receiving enough information at reviews to make decisions on the placement of children.  Since then, CASA has grown to over 850 programs represented in every state, as well as, Washington, D.C. and the Virgin Islands.  Over 48,000 volunteers are advocating for 200,000+ children.  New programs start up at the average of 2 per month.  In Michigan there are currently 19 CASA programs and 2 tribal courts that are assigning volunteers.

Who becomes a CASA volunteer?

CASA volunteers come from all lifestyles, with a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds.  The one thing that our volunteers have in common is that they want to make a diference in a child's life.  Our Ingham County volunteers include small business owners, stay-at-home moms, state employees, retired teachers and graduate students.

Why do we need CASA?

We need CASAs because children fall between the cracks in the child welfare system.  A CASA is a powerful voice in the life of these children.

Which cases are referred to CASA?

The criteria for cases to be referred to CASA are the existence of several high risk factors:  multiple siblings, substance abuse, or emotional, physical or sexual abuse.  CASA takes cases in which our volunteers will be the most effective.

To Contact CASA of Ingham County:

• Call: (517) 483-6544
• Fax: (517) 483-6543
• Email: casa2@ingham.org
• Mail: 303 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48933
• Click here to request more information or visit our Information on Volunteering page

Giving to CASA

CASA has recently signed up with MissionFish and Giving Works through Ebay.  Anyone selling items on Ebay may donate part of their proceeds to charity, and now CASA is one of the organizations eligible for this donation.  Please visit www.missionfish.org if you are interested in donating part of your Ebay proceeds to CASA of Ingham County, Inc.

Thank you all very much.

CASA Funding

This CASA project was supported by the Crime Victim Assistance Grant Award CVA #20702-5V02 awarded to CASA of Ingham County by the Michigan Crime Victim Services Commission, Michigan Department of Community Health, the grant award of $74,860.00 (80% of the project), comes from the Federal Crime Victims Fund, established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. CASA of Ingham County provides the required match by the use of volunteer hours valued at $18,715.00

Board Members

• Beverley Henrichsen - President
• - Vice President
• - Treasurer
• - Secretary
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• If you are interested in becoming a Board Member, please contact the CASA office at (517) 483-6544.

Accepting Applications

CASA of Ingham County, Inc. is now accepting applications for the Summer 2005 new volunteer training.  Please contact the CASA office for more information or to request an application.

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