CASA members to be sworn in

SANDERS COUNTY - Due to the increase in the number of abuse and neglect cases filed in Montana, CASA of Lake County has been working with local organizers to expand its services into Sanders County. Local organizers include Betty Boehler, Polly Cavill, John Thorson, Marissa Ilac, Peg McCarthy, County Commissioner Carol Brooker and Leslye Baldwin Mackelwich. The new organization is known as CASA of Lake & Sanders Counties and will serve the 20th Judicial District Court of Montana.

Like other local CASA programs in Montana, CASA of Lake & Sanders Counties is a local non-profit organization based on volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates representing children who have been subject to abuse and neglect. In Sanders County last year, there were as many as 10 cases in which children were removed from their parents. Some of these will be added to the children in over 20 cases CASA currently serves in Lake County.

Under the direction of Director Ann Marie McNeel, volunteers will work closely with the children and others involved in the cases, including the Montana Department of Family Services, local mental health professionals, and local attorneys to seek cooperative solutions to the situations these children suffer. Volunteers are expected to attend court hearings and make reports of their findings to the district court judges. The goal of the program is to ensure that an abused or neglected child has his/her rights protected and is given hope for a better future.

CASA of Lake & Sanders Counties is affiliated with National CASA and 14 other CASA offices in Montana. The Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribe provides and maintains the program’s professional office space located in Polson.

On April 8, three CASA volunteers will be sworn in and recognized by Judge James Manley to serve in Sanders County. They are Polly Cavill, Marissa Ilac and Leslye Baldwin Mackelwich. If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer or donating to this organization, contact CASA of Lake & Sanders Counties at 883-0158.

The public is welcomed to witness the swearing in of these new CASA volunteers at 9:45 A.M. on April 8 in the Sanders County District Courtroom, Thompson Falls.