Battle Creek Welcomes Court-Appointed Special Advocates as New CASA Program Opens to Serve Vulnerable Children
*BATTLE CREEK, MI — A new chapter in child advocacy opens this spring as Michigan CASA launches its newest program in Calhoun County*, bringing dedicated volunteers to represent the best interests of children in the foster care and family court systems.
CASA of Calhoun County will begin recruiting and training volunteers from the local community, with services expected to start in May 2026. The program is located at 32 W. Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek and is led by Executive Director Robert Miller, who serves as the sole employee of the organization.
"Calhoun County has some of the highest rates of child abuse and neglect in Michigan, so the need is certainly there," said Miller during an interview. "We've been waiting to get a CASA program here for about 20 years."
Twenty-Year Wait Ends as State Funding Launches Program
The new CASA of Calhoun County joins Michigan CASA, a statewide network that currently serves 30 counties across the state. The organization has 656 CASA volunteers and serves 1,388 children annually.
Initial operations are supported by a $150,000 grant from the state, designed to help launch the program and establish its foundation. Miller said the chapter is designed to become self-sufficient through direct contributions, corporate partnerships, additional grants, and fundraising events.
"The goal is to have someone there for the child who has their best interests in mind," said Miller. "Each volunteer is expected to work with only one child, providing one-to-one support that is critically important to a child's best interests."
The program will hold its first fundraising event on April 24 at 7 p.m. at the Record Box Loft in Battle Creek, with individual tickets expected to be available soon.
Comprehensive Training and Volunteer Recruitment
CASA of Calhoun County follows established standards that allow for up to 25 volunteers per employee, with Miller actively recruiting and training volunteers to meet the needs of children in the welfare system.
"Volunteers are very empowered here and receive very comprehensive training," said Miller. "They visit the kids at home and help to provide a strong social system."
More than 20 years of waiting for a local CASA program has ended, according to Miller, who added that additional volunteers from diverse demographic backgrounds are still needed to expand the program's capacity.
37th Circuit Court Becomes Primary Referral Source
Initial referrals to CASA of Calhoun County will come from the 37th Circuit Court, where Judge Tina Yost Johnson has been a longtime advocate for CASA and children in the welfare system.
"Miller said referrals from other sources are expected as CASA's local influence grows," according to reports.
CASA volunteers are specially trained and sworn in to represent the best interests of children in family court. They serve as witnesses to facts, friends with compassion, and advocates who can make lasting impacts on vulnerable children's lives.
What CASA Volunteers Do
Michigan CASA defines a Court Appointed Special Advocate as "a positive, caring, and consistent adult who plays a vital role in changing the life of an abused or neglected child."
CASA volunteers:
- Advocate for children in foster care or at risk of court involvement
- Ensure children receive necessary services and support
- Collaborate with child welfare agencies, attorneys, and judges
- Visit children in their homes to build strong social systems
- Provide one-to-one support focused on each child's best interests
The program is particularly designed to serve children who have experienced abuse or neglect and work to help them find safe, permanent homes.
Statewide Network Supports Local Programs
Michigan CASA provides financial support, training, and services to help local programs operate effectively. The statewide organization serves as an association for 30 local CASA programs and works to connect each part of the CASA community.
"Michigan CASA is dedicated to changing the lives of abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interests through establishing, supporting, and expanding quality CASA programs throughout the state of Michigan," stated the organization.
The program aims to ensure that every child who needs a volunteer has one, serving as a critical resource for vulnerable children throughout Calhoun County and Battle Creek.
How to Get Involved
Those interested in learning more about CASA of Calhoun County or volunteer opportunities can visit michigancasa.org or visit the program's location at 32 W. Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek.
The program can also be found on Facebook, and more information is available through the Michigan CASA statewide network.
"If you have the heart and compassion to change the life of an abused or neglected child, we invite you to become a CASA volunteer today," said Michigan CASA.
About Michigan CASA
Michigan CASA is the statewide association for 30 local CASA programs that recruit, train, and supervise Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers. The organization's mission is to ensure every child in the state that needs a volunteer has one.
Michigan CASA by the Numbers:
- 656 CASA Volunteers
- 1,388 Children Served
- 30 Counties Covered
The organization is committed to diversity in all staff, volunteers, and audiences, ensuring full participation in programs, policy formulation, and decision-making.
What Comes Next
With training sessions beginning later this month and services expected to launch in May, CASA of Calhoun County will start providing critical support to vulnerable children in the system.
The program's first fundraising gala on April 24 will help establish its financial foundation, with the goal of becoming self-sufficient through community support and corporate partnerships.
"More volunteers from all demographic backgrounds are still needed," said Miller. "The need is certainly there, and we're working to meet it."
The launch of CASA of Calhoun County marks a significant milestone for child advocacy in Calhoun County, ending a 20-year wait for dedicated volunteers to serve children in the welfare system.