CASA of Lincoln County welcomes six new special advocates

CASA of Lincoln County recently welcomed six new Court Appointed Special Advocates to its team.

District Judge Matthew J. Cuffe swore in the new class of six people on Oct. 2. They include Willow Holm, Kristy Hensel, Faith Vaught, Evan Comella, Stephanie Mullany and Lacey Thompson.

The volunteers completed 30 hours of pre-service training and took an oath to act in the best interest of children and to support and strengthen families who are before the court as a result of abuse and neglect.

Announced earlier this year, CASA of Lincoln County is the newest member of the National Court-Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem Association for Children, a nationwide network of over 940 programs that recruit, train and support volunteers who advocate for the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected. 

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to provide a voice for children who are in the foster care system or whose families are at risk of court involvement. They work to ensure children receive the necessary services and support to help them thrive and find a safe, permanent home.

One of the new members, Comella, a resident of Troy for the last 13 years, shared her thoughts about joining CASA.

“When a child, who has been neglected or abused, is removed from their home, they leave behind most everything that is familiar. It can be a frightening experience,” Comella said in an email to The Western News. “The child may be placed with relatives or an unrelated foster family. They may start attending a new school and lose contact with their friends. Now there are multiple new professionals in their lives such as their Child Protective Services case worker, attorneys, perhaps a therapist. The Court will be making decisions about their future. It can be confusing and nearly overwhelming for a child. This is where the Special Advocate comes in. 

“He or she does not have multiple cases, the CASA is able to focus on this one child and hopefully build a relationship of trust. The CASA meets with the child regularly and listens to the child’s concerns, hopes and wishes,” Comella said.

Comella also said that when so much is changing in the child’s world, the 

Special Advocate will remain a consistent source of support. The CASA’s job is to advocate for the best interest of the child. 

“We make a time commitment of at least 18 months. We work to help the child have a safe permanent home. We meet with and gather information from the many people who interact with the child so that we can present written reports to the judge outlining the child’s situation and desires. We make recommendations in those reports based on all that we have learned about the child and their circumstances. The advocate serves as an independent set of eyes and ears for the judge. The opportunity to have a lasting positive impact on the life of an abused and/or neglected child is what got me interested in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem.”

Comella said her experience volunteering in Emergency Medical Services for many years and during her corporate career prepared her well for the Special Advocate.

“I met with clients to gather business requirements and then I crafted design documents. I am accustomed to conducting fact-finding interviews and writing concise reports,” she said. “I also volunteered in Emergency Medical Services for many years, so I have experience with children and adults in crisis situations. I am comfortable providing care, comfort, and support to those experiencing trauma.”

Also, CASA of Lincoln County is seeking board members. CASA of Lincoln County advocates for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. The CASA role is to guide vulnerable children through the complexities of the court system, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Board Members play a crucial role in managing the organization. They provide leadership, set policies and oversee the agency’s overall performance while contributing passion to help others. 

The board meets to develop policy, monitor financial health and ensure the agency aligns with its mission. They also support the Executive Director in meeting the needs of the children CASA serves.

For those interested in joining the board and are passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, apply at www.lincolncasa.org  and explore this rewarding opportunity.

Also, for further information on how to partner or volunteer, please visit:

• Montana CASA/GAL Association www.montanacasagal.org
• National CASA/GAL Association for Children www.nationalcasagal.org.

For more information, ways to help or become involved, visit lincolncasa.org.