CASA's Mission

As dedicated, trained volunteers for children in foster care due to abuse and neglect, we advocate for a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible by providing a voice on their behalf in the family court.

CASA's Vision

CASA is a highly visible, sustainable, innovative organization working collaboratively for a positive impact in the community.

There are currently over 900 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.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Ingham County exists to ensure that these victimized children do not fall through the cracks.  CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens 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; becomes an officer of the court) to investigate the case and offer an informed opinion of the child's best interests.  In some 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.   Again, the caseworker and other professionals working with the child may change numerous times.

CASA is part of a national and state-wide 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 1018 programs represented in 49 states.  Over 68,800 volunteers are advocating for 240,890+ children.  New programs start up at the average of 2 per month.  In Michigan there are currently 22 CASA programs; 2 tribal courts that are assigning volunteers and new programs are in development.

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 difference 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 St. 3R, Lansing, MI 48933
• Click here to request more information or visit our Information on Volunteering page

Giving to CASA is easy

CASA is signed up with MissionFish 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.  We are also a registered charity with IGIVE.com.  Please visit at www.igive.com. Thank you all very much.

Also if you buy items on-line go to: www.Igive.com and designate CASA of Ingham County, Inc. as your charity of choice and browse or shop at over 750 retailers that donate a percentage of their profits to CASA of Ingham County, Inc.

Shaklee: Changing Brands to Change Lives: We are partnering with Shaklee for fundraising purposes Visit: www.casaofingham.myshaklee.com  For more information contact:  Kathy Huebner kathyum81@comcast.net  Dave Horka  horkad@att.net or BarbSchram  schram2468@aol.com

Board of Directors

• Karen Ross - President
• Terry Fobbs/Kim Pickard - Co-Treasurer
• Ann Blair
• Margaret Bucklin
• Denise Cole
• Lorri Rishar Jandron
• Jill Lawler
• Cindy Levine
• Barbara Scott

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 new volunteer training.  Please contact the CASA office for more information or to request an application.  This training has not yet been scheduled.