Our mission is to provide trained independent volunteers who promote and advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the justice system of Kittitas County. Our vision is a community that is aware of and committed to the efforts of Court Advocates to secure safe, permanent, and… Read More »Mission & Vision
September 03, 2021 CASA Visitation Policies August 2021 Effective Immediately No one is required to DO in-person visits with their CASA child(ren). The safety of our volunteers is a priority for our program as we continue to advocate for children. This policy has been created to communicate the protocol for… Read More »Visitation Policy Update
August 17, 2021 Throughout our history, CASA and GAL programs across the country have trained committed and dedicated volunteers to serve as court-appointed advocates for children and youth. Today, National CASA consists of 950 CASA/GAL state organizations and local programs, and more than 93,000 CASA and GAL volunteers nationwide. Together… Read More »national nonprofit day
July 30, 2021 Source: https://nationalcasagal.org/supporting-children-and-youth-in-the-new-school-year/ SEATTLE, Washington – As children and youth prepare to return to school this fall, many are hopeful about returning to a sense of normalcy. The U.S. Department of Education anticipates that most schools across the country will offer in-person learning at the start of the… Read More »Supporting children and youth in the new school year
August 03, 2021 Court Advocates for Children Promotes Police-Community Partnerships Ellensburg, Washington (August 4, 2021) – National Night Out took place on August 03, 2021. The objective of this nationwide annual community-building campaign is to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. This year Court Advocates for Children was invited to take part in the community-building event in Ellensburg at Memorial Park, in Kittitas at Gazebo Park, and in… Read More »National night out
Strengthening parent-child visitation during child welfare proceedings HB 1194 Impacts on Family Time Visitation July 29, 2021 – https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/news/hb-1194-impacts-family-time-visitation HB 1194 Impacts on Family Time Visitation Family Time visitation is critical to strengthening and preserving the family bond and achieving successful reunification. During the 2021 Legislative Session, the Legislature passed HB… Read More »new law: HB 1194
Ellensburg, Washington (July 14, 2021) – Court Advocates for Children would like to announce the swearing-in of two new advocate volunteers. On July 8, 2021, the Honorable Judge Hooper swore in Judy Backlund and Crystal Mach. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) a/k/a Guardians ad Litem are trained volunteers from the community,… Read More »Kittitas Superior Court Judge hooper swears in new child advocates
A Message from our CEO SEATTLE, Washington – April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which recognizes the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child abuse and neglect. Though this month focuses our attention on protecting children, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association… Read More »National Child Abuse Prevention
In 2017, from the gentle nudge of a close friend, Debbie Schmit explored a local non-profit program, Court Advocates for Children. After learning about the program’s mission and its increasing need for volunteers, Debbie signed up. Since then Debbie has advocated for more than seven children, she received the Judge… Read More »Quilts for a Cause – Stitching two passions together.
April 4, 1983 A Proclamation Child abuse and child neglect continue to threaten the lives and health of over a million of our Nation’s children. Their physical suffering and emotional anguish challenge us, as parents, neighbors, and citizens, to increase our attention to their protection and intensify our efforts to… Read More »Proclamation 5039 — National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 1983
Ellensburg, Washington (February 22, 2021) – Court Advocates for Children celebrates its 36th year as a nonprofit, providing best-interest advocacy for children in Kittitas County. Our mission is to provide trained independent volunteers who promote and advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the justice system of… Read More »Judge Alumbaugh Volunteer of the Year Award – 2020