The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Program is to provide specifically selected and trained community volunteer guardians ad litem to work on behalf of abused and neglected children within our court system and to undertake any and all activities necessary for the promotion of these children's best interest, including but not limited to health, safety, and welfare.
In 2002 the Honorable Judge Nels Swandal called for the creation of a local CASA/GAL program in the Sixth Judicial District. Local attorneys and community leaders established a board of directors and created this program within the district. Local attorneys supported us financially enabling us to train our initial ten volunteers.
The Sixth Judicial District serves two counties (Park and Sweet Grass) which cover an area of 4,511 square miles and a population of 19,303. These two counties are both considered rural and remote. Since we serve two counties there are two distinct court and social service systems. There is one presiding judge over both systems the Honorable Judge Nels Swandal.
We received our 501(c)(3) status in 2002, established a board of directors which includes community members from both Park and Sweet Grass Counties. We have since compiled our By-laws, Articles of Incorporation, Board policies and procedures, and volunteer policies and procedures. We have Errors and Omissions insurance on all board members, officers, and volunteers. In 2003 we recruited our first wave of volunteers, scheduled trainings, and assembled appropriate paperwork (applications, references, fingerprints, etc.). In January 2004 we received our first abuse and neglect case. Going forward the board members' main responsibilities are to manage the Program Director, support future fundraising endeavors, recruit additional volunteers and future board members.
Prior to January 2004 children in abuse and neglect proceedings in the Sixth Judicial District were represented by local attorneys that were assigned by the Court. Under President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" Program the Federal Government has, by June 2004, mandated that all guardians ad litem receive certified training. It is commonly accepted that the CASA/GAL Program is the national standard training program and the State of Montana will be drafting their training program after the National CASA/GAL Program. Beginning in January 2004 our first wave of specially trained CASA/GAL volunteers were assigned cases in the Sixth Judicial District.
When a child abuse or neglect petition is filed with the District Court, the court administrator contacts the Program Director of the Sixth Judicial District CASA/GAL Program. The Program Director then selects a volunteer who is able and willing to accept a new case. Prior to being assigned as a child's representative the CASA/GAL volunteer receives thirty hours of initial training by nationally certified CASA trainers. The program then mandates twelve hours of continuing education annually. Each volunteer receives individual mentoring from the Program Director. The Judge then files an order appointing that CASA/GAL volunteer to the case. All CASA/GAL volunteers are assigned an attorney to advise them on legal procedures. The quality of the child's representation improves because a single CASA/GAL volunteer is assigned per case so the child's best interest receives that volunteer's exclusive attention. This volunteer is able to work outside of the usual system (Child Protective Services, parent's attorneys, etc.) and is a voice for the child in all court proceedings. Although our court district covers a large rural and remote area our volunteers are committed to perform on-site interviews, meet with appropriate agencies, attend all court hearings, and attend all treatment-team meetings. Since our program began receiving cases we have been assigned 100% of the abuse and neglect cases in the Sixth Judicial District Court. Typically Park County serves thirty to thirty-five cases yearly and Sweet Grass County serves one to five cases yearly.
In 2004 the Program began seeking varies funding sources. Funding Sources for the Program included private donations, State of Montana Court Assessment Program, United Way of the Greater Gallatin and State case reimbursement. We were able to acquire free office space and free printing services. The Fall of 2004 saw us hiring a Part Time Program Director.
In 2005 the Program received funding sources from private donations, both Park and Sweet Grass Counties, United Way of the Greater Gallatin, National CASA, and State case reimbursement. We continue to serve 100% of the cases in our district with 20 Volunteers.
In 2006 we were able to continue with the same funding sources and continue to meet 100% of the cases with 25 Volunteers.
In 2007 we saw that 48% of our cases were related to Methamphetamine using parents compared to 68% in 2006 and 60% in 2005. We continue to be slightly higher than the state average.
In 2007 we lost our free office space and moved the office to 1313 West Park, Suite 21 and in February 2007 we hired additional personnel in the capacity as a Part Time Program Assistant. 2007 saw the program paying for the bulk of its printing expenses. Our funding sources continue to be Private Donations, Park and Sweet Grass Counties, United Way of the Greater Gallatin, State Case reimbursement, and Jewelers for Children Grant. We now have 31 Volunteers serving 100% of the cases.
