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Montana CASA/GAL Association
The Difference We Make May 2023
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The mission of Montana CASA/GAL Association is to:
Support, develop, expand and unite local CASA/GAL programs so they can maximize their effectiveness while advocating for Montana’s abused and neglected children.
The 16 Local Programs in the State of Montana have helped:
1,791 Children with
604 Advocates this past year
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Letter from the
Boardroom
Jim Fitzgerald, Board Chair
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In an effort to expand public awareness, knowledge, and support of CASA services, our state board will complete the branding, marketing, and communications endeavors that are currently underway. The MT CASA state office is focusing on alignment of our Vision, Mission, Values, brand clarity, communication protocols, and marketing position.
One of MT CASA’s main focus right now is to optimize public understanding, support, and connection to the work of CASA in Montana. The state office will continue to work with local programs to align strategic arenas for collaborative, integrated efforts and maximal impact. Our intent is to create new opportunities and combine efforts, resources, and strengths that are common to the state office and each local program. We will also work with local programs to strengthen the state office contributions to local program functioning and success, based upon each program’s identified needs.
The state office will provide leadership in working with National CASA and local programs to clarify and shape early intervention and prevention directions that are currently being considered. Additionally, we will work with local programs and Child & Family Services (CFSD) to understand current collaborative needs and opportunities, and their implications for local program execution.
With emerging changes in child welfare practices and law, there is an urgent need to elevate the mission and impact of CASA services. With funding being a crucial need, the state office will invest in a comprehensive, multi-year fund development plan that supports state office functioning, local program operations, and positions the CASA brand for successful impact.
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From the
Director's Desk
April Barnings, Executive Director
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Welcome back to our quarterly editions of our digital public newsletter! It has been some time since we have reached out and we are happy to bring you back in the loop with help from some new staff and board members. We are happy to report that CASA in Montana is thriving and growing. In 2022 approximately 1,800 children were served by a CASA. Due to allegations of abuse and neglect, children are sadly taken from their home and placed into a confusing, scary, and traumatic time due to no fault of their own. CASAs are there for them every step of the way, guiding them through days of struggle, confusion, and estrangement from loved ones. As best interest advocates, we work for the judges who oversee these cases. CASAs provide vital reports to the court, helping to ensure proper services and placement are ordered for the child.
We serve as a friend and a steady loving hand to hold for each child as we work for reunification with parents whenever safely possible. We thank you, our supporters, for donating your funds, volunteering your time, and voicing your support for CASA in Montana. We are especially grateful for your support during what was a challenging Montana Legislative session. MTCASA, CASA Local Programs, and statewide partners continue to educate leadership and the public regarding the importance of keeping CASA alive and well for all children in Montana. You are invited and encouraged to reach out to our state organization or to your local program anytime to find out more about CASA in your community and across the state.
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MTCASA Welcomes New
Board Members & Staff
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Since our last edition, we have gained lots of great new board members. In the next few editions, we'll highlight a few of our new board members! MTCASA also welcomed a new staff member. |
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*Photo Unavailable for Kim Casey |
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Read about a local advocate's story as a CASA |
Melissa knew she was capable of being a child’s continual support, exemplifying love, and compassion—but more importantly, she knew she could be a voice for the voiceless. |
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Melissa Rich, CASA Advocate
CASA of Yellowstone County
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If you would like to become a CASA Volunteer please click the link to find your local program. |
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Montana CASA/GAL 2022
Impact Report
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Our office is proud to support 16 local programs across the State of Montana. Please click the link below to access our 2022 Impact Report pdf. |
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2023 Legislative Session Report |
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The 68th Montana Legislative Session has concluded and it was a busy one for CASA. Our deepest gratitude to the entire Montana CASA network, MNM Consulting, legislators, judges, attorneys, advocates, past CASA service recipients and child welfare partners who all came out to support our status in the court room. We had some significant challenges. We successfully defeated bills that would have limited CASAs access to crucial information needed to serve judges and children and our ability to provide best interest advocacy on behalf of abused and neglected children. We were also successful in attaining 1 million dollars in TNF funding ($500,000 per year for 2 years) for CASA local programs and the
state organization. Our successes were made possible through vigorous efforts educating and informing legislators and through impactful testimony. To see some of the specific bills addressed, click the button below.
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Tap on the 2023 session bill lookup tab and type in the bill. For questions or for more information on how to participate, contact April Barnings at aprils@montanacasagal.org
Introducing 2023 MTCASA Task Force Members:
April Barnings (MTCASA Executive Director)
Glenda Noyes (MTCASA Board Member and CASA of Gallatin County Executive Director)
Kim Casey (MTCASA Board Member and CASA CAN of Cascade County Executive Director)
Rob Cook (past MT. Legislator and Board Member of Front Range CASA)
Judge Karen Townsend Ret.(MTCASA Board Member)
Ryan Phelan (MTCASA Board Member and Family Attorney)
Pat Zeller (CASA with Yellowstone CASA and Communications Coordinator-RiverStone Health)
Shyanne Wallace (MTCASA Vice Chair, past program employee of Eastern Montana CASA, currently with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce)
Laura Dever (MTCASA Board Secretary, past CASA with CASA CAN and member of the Polson City Council)
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CASA/GAL volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children’s best interests. They stay with each case until it is closed and the child is in a safe, permanent home. We serve children from birth through the age defined by state statute as the limit to youth remaining in care.
Volunteers work with legal and child welfare professionals, educators and service providers to ensure that judges have all the information they need to make the most well-informed decisions for each child.
Our best-interest advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin, if that can be safely achieved. Most of the children we work with are in foster care, but some are with their family of origin. And, most children who leave foster care do so to return to their family.
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Click the video below to learn about the role of a CASA! |
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Montana CASA/GAL Association serves as a member organization for the 16 CASA/GAL programs statewide. In February 2023 the organization worked with an outside consultant to design and administer a survey to collect basic service data from the CASA/GAL programs. While National CASA/GAL surveys programs twice yearly and shares data with the state organization, there is significant lag time, and timely data is not available for time-sensitive needs such as the 2023 legislative session and ongoing growth strategy and communication plans. Additionally, this locally conducted survey provided an opportunity to learn about data collection and reporting practices among the member programs. Findings from this process can be used to improve data accuracy and alignment among programs.
This survey provided an opportunity to learn about data
collection and reporting practices among the member programs. Findings from this process can be used to improve data accuracy and alignment among programs. This locally conducted survey provided an opportunity to learn about data collection and reporting practices among the member programs. Findings from this process can be used to improve data accuracy and alignment among programs. The resulting data will be used to advance the understanding and importance of MTCASA in MT’s court rooms, bolster public awareness and fundraising, to recruit more advocates and provide financial stability.
A huge thank you to Lily Sussman and LAS Visions LLC for their work on this project.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS |
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*LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
Without support, MTCASA/GAL wouldn't be able to fulfill their mission. Thank you for your generosity in supporting our vision.
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Betsy & Bill Bayne
Brandon Green
Brugh Foundation
Elaine and John Meeks
Elisabeth Smith
Glenda Noyes
In Honor of Lisa Kuntz
Jan and Pat Munday
Jeff Montag
Jennifer and Christopher Burke
Jim Fitzgerald
John and Jody Menyhart
Karen and Burke Townsend
Kelly Anne Dalton
Lael Gray
Laura Dever
Laura & Larry Brehm
Local Montana CASA Programs
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Lake
Ondrak Family Holdings LLC
Sandy Black
Tom and Carol McElwain
Tom and Christine McCall
Waverly Huston
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Montana CASA/GAL Board of Directors |
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Board Chair: Jim Fitzgerald from Helena
Board Vice Chair: Shyanne Wallace from Glasgow
Secretary: Laura Dever from Polson
Treasurer: John Menyhart from Miles City
Elaine Meeks from Polson
Jennifer Boyer from Bozeman
Glenda Noyes from Bozeman (Program Director CASA/GAL Gallatin County)
Joe Walsh from Billings
Karen Townsend from Missoula
Allison Dunne from Florence (Program Director Bitterroot CASA)
Kim Casey from Great Falls (Director CASA-CAN)
Ryan Phelan from Missoula
STAFF
April Barnings, Executive Director
Maggie Jensen, Office Assistant
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