CASA Updates

Many people may be surprised to learn that the leading cause of death for children in the United States is motor vehicle crashes. Car accidents cause 1 of every 4 unintentional deaths for children in the United States. According to the CDC, 675 children under 12 were killed as occupants in motor vehicle crashes in 2017. Of the 675 that were killed, 35% were not buckled up. Although seat belts and child safety seats are still relatively new technology...

Pixabay “Oh, so you’re a CASA?  So that means….” And so often begins a conversation in which I have the privilege of blowing away all kinds of myths about what we do here at CASA of Yellowstone County. Even though different CASA programs across the country vary bit by bit, there are still a lot of misconceptions in our community about just what CASA of Yellowstone County does! Here are some of the myths I’ve come across and the facts I’ve been...

The work of CASA of Yellowstone County is filling an urgent need in our community by advocating for the most vulnerable among us: abused and neglected children. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate, Peer Coordinator, Staff or Friend of CASA, how do you spread the word about our work? Do you have an elevator pitch that you use to introduce CASA to outsiders and entice them to learn more? If not, now’s your time to refine your ambassador skills! What is...

One of the tools used by Department social workers as they strive to keep families whole is the family engagement meeting, or FEM.  An FEM is a unique opportunity to bring together the adults in the child’s life, and sometimes even the child once the child is old enough, to hash through the issues before them. An FEM is one of the “firsts” that a CASA’s peer coordinator or program coordinator will attend with you.  But if it’s been a while...

CASA OF YELLOWSTONE COUNTY MISSION: To advocate for a safe and permanent home for abused and neglected children in Yellowstone County. VISION: To provide a highly trained volunteer Advocate for every abused and neglected child in the Yellowstone County court and foster care systems. CORE VALUES: Boldness, Cultural Awareness, Engagement, Professionalism, Teamwork/Collaboration, Transparency ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY: The Administrative Assistant provides technical and operational program support to the Development Director and Executive Director. This role assists the Development Director with fundraising activities, donor cultivation, data management, financial management and events. Additionally, the Administrative...

CASA OF YELLOWSTONE COUNTY MISSION: To advocate for a safe and permanent home for abused and neglected children in Yellowstone County. VISION: To provide a highly trained volunteer Advocate for every abused and neglected child in the Yellowstone County court and foster care systems. CORE VALUES: Boldness, Cultural Awareness, Engagement, Professionalism, Teamwork/Collaboration, Transparency PROGRAM COORDINATOR JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY: The Program Coordinator provides supervision and support to CASA volunteer Advocates. The Program Coordinator ensures that children involved with CASA receive sound advocacy and early permanency planning. The Program Coordinator is hired by the...

In January 2017, four Native Americans from Pryor drove to Reed Point to attend a basketball game.  They reported being denied entry to the game until a group of white Reed Point people were allowed into the school gym.  Although the Montana Human Rights Bureau subsequently found that there was no discrimination, merely a misunderstanding, it’s worth asking why such a story connects with another, more recent one, this time from Colorado. In early May, two young Native American men drove...