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CASA program asks county to renew support as volunteer advocates report continuing need
Summary
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) representatives described outreach and volunteer work, reported serving roughly 110 children with county funding last year and requested continued support at the previously approved level.
Representatives from the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program described their volunteer advocacy work for children involved in the child‑welfare system and requested renewed county support.
Suzanne Lehi, development staff, and retired Colonel Bob Landry (longtime volunteer) spoke about CASA’s role in providing trained volunteers who act as a child’s court‑appointed advocate and help the judge understand the child’s circumstances and needs. The presenters said last year’s county contribution ($7,510) supported work that reached about 110 children and that cases are increasingly complex, involving substance misuse, domestic violence and other challenges.
Bob Landry described his 16 years volunteering as a CASA and said the program provides judicially useful, independent information for decisions about child welfare, custody and services. Presenters said training and support for volunteers is a major program cost and that county funding helps sustain recruitment and training infrastructure.
Outcome/next steps: Presenters thanked commissioners; the record shows no final appropriations decision at the hearing. Commissioners thanked speakers and noted the program’s impact; follow‑up about funding will occur as the budget is finalized.
