CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Marianne C.

Role: Friends of CASA Board Chair & CASA Volunteer

Picture: Marianne C. with husband, Dan


What interested you about the CASA program?

That it was for children in the county in a vulnerable situation. It seems there is always an awful story in the news about foster children being further abused, and the CASA program is a way to directly help these children.


Tell us a little bit about your previous Work and/or Volunteer Experience and/or Education:

20 years as a consultant, managing large systems integration projects. Switched to the nonprofit sector in 2005 when I joined Nonprofit Enterprise at Work. Currently work as a NEW board advisor for nonprofits. I have volunteered primarily in my children’s schools and for church organizations. I’m currently a youth counselor at First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor.

Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

I love to read and garden. I’m perfectly happy digging weeds for hours at a time.

What is your favorite quote of all time?

“The distance is nothing. It is only the first step that is difficult.”
- Madame du Deffand, French intellectual and writer, 16^th century.

How did you hear about the CASA Program?

I had an assistant who was a graduate student at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, and she had an internship at the Toledo CASA program. I also read about the Washtenaw CASA program in an Ann Arbor News profile of Ashwin Patel.

Certificate of Tribute Awarded by State of Michigan Governor

Contributed by: Ferlie Yruma

We were honored to receive Governor Granholm’s Certificate of Tribute recently, recognizing the CASA program as an effective way of ensuring that courts have access to thorough and reliable information on the circumstances of abused and neglected children. Click here to see exactly what the certificate says!

Legislation Passes U.S. House

Important legislation supporting foster youth beyond age 18 and relative guardianship has recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is looking for support in the Senate.

The issue of foster youth, especially those “aging out” of the system, has gained increased media attention of late and the bill’s passage is a giant step toward providing federal funding to states that opt to support youth in care beyond age 18.

The bill also provides federal support for relatives caring for foster children, extends IV-E support to Native American tribes and includes $50 million/year for a new Family Connection grant program. It also requires reasonable efforts be made for sibling placement and notification to relatives within 30 days of a child’s placement.

Primary funding for the Fostering Connections to Success Act would be tax dollars recovered from individuals who fraudulently collected unemployment benefits and improved cash management by the U.S. Treasury.

The provision for relative guardianship is expected to result in a cost savings by reducing caseworker oversight requirements. Please contact your legislators with “thanks” and “support.”