Be the voice for a child in foster care.

Become an Advocate.

Change a child’s story

Help a child in foster care find a permanent, safe & loving home.

Court Appointed Special Advocates are community volunteers who speak up for the best interests of children in foster care. Each CASA is appointed to a child or a group of siblings to be a stable and consistent relationship for them as they go through the foster care system. Volunteer CASAs work for the best interests of kids by advocating for their safety and permanency.

There’s a record number of children in Montana’s foster care system.

In the past decade, Yellowstone County has experienced a significant increase of children removed from their homes and placed into foster care. Nation-wide, the state of Montana has one of the highest populations of children in foster care per capita with Yellowstone County accounting for approximately 25% of all statewide removals each year.

600 kids are currently in foster care in Yellowstone County.

Children in foster care have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect

CASA of Yellowstone County serves children 0 -18 years of age in foster care.

On average, children will spend 18-24 months in the local foster care system.

Of the 600 kids in local foster care, 200 have a CASA Advocate.

Per capita, Montana has one of the highest numbers of children in foster care. 

Kids still need an advocate.

Advocates Make a Difference!

Children in foster care who have a volunteer Advocate experience better outcomes and increased resilience.

Less time in foster care

Less likely to re-enter protective custody

Improved educational outcomes

Recieve more services while in foster care

Higher rates of permanency

What Does An Advocate Do?

A Court Appointed Special Advocate is not an ordinary volunteer position. Advocates come from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. Volunteer Advocates are committed to being the one constant for a child while their case moves through foster care. Other professionals will change frequently in the child’s life, but CASA Advocates provide consistency and stability, which makes all the difference for a child in foster care.

Build a Relationship

with the child

Meet with the Adults

in their life

Document & Report

everything you learn

Attend Court Hearings

Build a Relationship

Court Appointed Special Advocates visit the children on their case regularly at their foster home and school to build a relationship with them. A volunteer CASA commits to be a consistent and trusted adult for the child through the change and turmoil of foster care. 

Meet With The Adults

Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates gather information from every adult and professional involved in a child’s life, including foster parents, teachers, social workers, medical professionals, and members of the child’s family. 

Document & Report

With the information they gather from everyone involved on a case, volunteer Advocates write reports that are distributed to the judge and other people involved on a case to keep everyone informed on the child’s needs and wishes.

Attend Court Hearings

In addition to writing reports, volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates attend court hearings to be the voice of the child, and to advocate for their needs and best interests. 

Build a Relationship

Court Appointed Special Advocates visit the children on their case regularly at their foster home and school to build a relationship with them. A volunteer CASA commits to be a consistent and trusted adult for the child through the change and turmoil of foster care. 

Meet With The Adults

Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates gather information from every adult and professional involved in a child’s life, including foster parents, teachers, social workers, medical professionals, and members of the child’s family. 

Document & Report

With the information they gather from everyone involved on a case, volunteer Advocates write reports that are distributed to the judge and other people involved on a case to keep everyone informed on the child’s needs and wishes.

Attend Court Hearings

In addition to writing reports, volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates attend court hearings to be the voice of the child, and to advocate for their needs and best interests. 

You can make a difference. Become an Advocate.

CASA Stories

We love sharing these inspiring stories with you. Read about our volunteer experiences and how being a CASA has impacted them.

Together

We Can Help Change A Child’s Story

Take the First Step

Attend an Info Session