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Montana CASA/GAL Association
The Difference We Make August 2023
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Montana CASA/GAL Association empowers advocacy for 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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The MTCASA board continues to be busy with a variety of focused efforts. Of particular importance is the completion of our work with Flying Horse Communications at our board retreat this spring. In the noisy and competitive world of nonprofit work, the board sought to enhance our brand, marketing, and communications to better fulfill our responsibilities. We engaged with Flying Horse earlier this year to take a fresh look at our vision, mission, and values, and more specifically, our needs for enhanced branding, and communications. Flying Horse was excellent to work with and we are excited to drive statewide awareness about the mission and work of CASA, recruitment of volunteers, and fund development opportunities. Additionally, we will be better positioned to work with strategic partners, legislators, and Montana DPHHS.
Another exciting development is a two-year TANF grant (total 1 million dollars) awarded through the Legislative Finance and Budget Committee during the last legislative session. MTCASA is contracting with the Montana DPHHS to administer these restricted funds for the purpose of expansion of CASA services statewide. MTCASA is excited to be working with local CASA program directors as they discern how best to utilize these TANF funds in their programs.
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From the
Director's Desk
April Barnings, Executive Director
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I have had the pleasure to travel across our beautiful state this summer visiting all of Montana’s local CASA programs. These “site visits” occur in person every other year and virtually every year. During this time, I get the privilege of seeing first-hand the important work that CASA does every day for children and families. I also learn about program challenges and successes. We assist with the challenges by providing pass-through funding (when possible), coaching, and plan for trainings to address needs. We celebrate success and share what has worked well with all programs so that they may all benefit in their services and practices. These visits have been inspiring as I have had the opportunity to sit in on hearings and meetings with families, CASAs and court room stakeholders. CASAs continue to play a unique role in the lives of children and families experiencing the most difficult chapter in their lives, giving voice to the child’s best interests and supporting families by providing information leading to resources and support. Montana’s judges have voiced their gratitude regarding the information that CASAs provide to them in their reports and for the hope they provide to children. We thank all of our donors and volunteers-- present and future-- for helping to ensure that this work continues. |
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MTCASA is now a proud member of MT Shares, a partnership of Montana-based nonprofit groups devoted to improving the quality of life in the communities throughout the state. MT Shares hosts an annual raffle with prizes from across Montana to raise money for their members. Raffle ticket sales go to support advocacy for abused and neglected children in Montana's court system.
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MT Shares Raffle offers 39 amazing prizes ranging across Montana!
Check out a few prizes:
- A guided float on any river in SW Montana
- Gift cards for local Montana restaurants
- Introductory flying lesson in Helena, MT
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Print your tickets and mail them to MT Shares:
PO Box 883, Helena, MT 59624 with your check!
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Save the Date
2023 CASA Impact Silent Auction: September 18-22
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MTCASA receives TANF Funding |
We are grateful for the recent award of 1 million dollars ($500,000 in 2023 and in 2024) in TANF funding (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) to support the expansion of services in existing local programs and bringing CASA to areas of the state where CASA does not currently exist. The award was made possible through the Montana Legislative Session vote to approve funding (HB2) to Montana CASA. Our thanks to Rep. Mary Caffero for sponsoring and carrying us through the session to this successful end. These funds will help to meet our mission of providing CASA services to every Montana child in need. Funds will be available to local programs by the end of summer via our state organization office and the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. Our office has increased our staffing capacity and will be launching a grant administration platform to adequately administer and oversee the grant. We are grateful for our partnership with TANF and DPHHS staff as they will be assisting us throughout the process. This award was a big win for Montana’s children and families served by CASA now and in future. |
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National CASA Annual Conference |
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April Barnings (MTCASA Executive Director) and several staff members and advocates from Montana’s Local CASA/GAL Programs attended the Annual National CASA/GAL Conference. This year’s conference was held in Saint Louis, MO, June 9-13. The focus was strong families and strong futures. CASA leaders, staff and advocates were provided several sessions on how to reduce the number of children in foster care, strengthening and supporting families, increasing diversity, equity and inclusion, and building operational excellence. We were also very proud that one of Montana’s outstanding District Court Judges, the Honorable Leslie Halligan received the Hon. David W. Soukup Judge of the Year Award. We are incredibly grateful to Judge Halligan and the positive difference she makes for children and families and for her continued support of CASA throughout Montana. |
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Montana's very own Judge Leslie Halligan was awarded The Honorable David W. Soukup Judge of the Year Award!
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Read about Judge Halligan's work through the years and her incredible dedication to the CASA organization!
Thank you Judge Halligan for being a champion for abused and neglected children in the Montana court system.
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Congrats to Cindy Basnett
New Executive Director of CASA for Kids in Flathead County
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Hello All! Some of you know me already, as I became an advocate with our local program in 2007, and joined the CASA Flathead County staff in 2009. I am excited to let you know I accepted a new position at CASA for Kids, Inc. as Executive Director. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue working alongside you all in this new capacity as we do what we can to raise our voices on behalf of vulnerable children caught up in our foster care and court systems. When not busy at the office, I love spending time with my family (especially my two grandsons) and in the Montana outdoors. I enjoy hiking, biking, gardening and reading . I love team CASA and look forward to our future together. -Cindy
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2023 MT Legislative Session |
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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
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Supreme Court upholds constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) |
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MT Legislation also passes ICWA Bill: HB 317
The bill is meant to strengthen protections under the federal ICWA law, which was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court
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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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If you would like to become a CASA Volunteer please click the link to find your local program. |
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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS |
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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
*LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
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Montana CASA/GAL Board of Directors |
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Board Chair: Jim Fitzgerald, Helena
Board Vice Chair: Shyanne Wallace, Glasgow
Secretary: Laura Dever, Polson
Treasurer: John Menyhart, Miles City
Elaine Meeks, Polson
Jennifer Boyer, Bozeman
Glenda Noyes, Bozeman (Program Director CASA/GAL Gallatin County)
Joe Walsh, Billings
Karen Townsend, Missoula
Allison Dunne, Florence (Program Director Bitterroot CASA)
Kim Casey, Great Falls (Director CASA-CAN)
Ryan Phelan, Missoula
STAFF
April Barnings, Executive Director
Maggie Jensen, Executive Assistant
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