CASA/GAL of Montana
301 S. Park Ave. Rm 328
Helena, Montana 59620
Contact: Ellen M. Bush,
866 863 2272 (tollfree)
info@casagal.org
Montana CASA/GAL programs participate in
volunteer background check program
Stacye Dorrington at the state Department of Justice in Helena shows how the new computerized livescan fingerprint equipment works with no ink. CASA/GAL of Montana is part of a pilot background check project with DOJ, the FBI and the National PROTECT Act.
Montana CASA/GAL programs are taking part in a background check pilot program offered in cooperation with the FBI and the Montana Department of Justice.
New volunteers, directors and even some board members are checked through a national and state fingerprint background investigation. The project is offered through the Federal PROTECT Act (Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today Act). Montana is one of three pilot states using the project to check volunteers who work with children.
Fifteen Montana CASA/GAL programs are currently speaking up for 855 abused and neglected children in our state's district courts. More than 250 trained volunteers are serving as Court Appointed Special Advocates, working with children around the state.
Our CASA programs need more volunteers to advocate for foster children. We estimate we are serving only about half the number of children in need of an advocate. State statutes require a judge to assign a Guardian ad Litem to represent the best interest of each child involved in court abuse and neglect proceedings.
While attorneys are assigned in some cases, many do not have the time to investigate the case as carefully as a trained volunteer. The CASA volunteer investigates the situation, visits with the child, the parents, the social worker, school teachers and other concerned individuals, and makes a report to the court on what is the best placement and treatment for the child. Each local program also has a legal advisor and works with local attorneys.
CASA volunteers go through an intensive 30-hour training course approved by National CASA and then a mentoring period after they are assigned to a case. They also must pass a background check.
 Great Falls Program Director Lisa Goff and DOJ technician Sarah McClanahan look at the detail in the fingerprints. Lisa is learning how to do fingerprints so that the Great Falls program can do state and FBI background checks on its volunteers and employees. |
 Lisa and Sarah hold up their hands after practicing taking fingerprints. All FBI and state fees on processing fingerprints are waived during July for CASA programs who participate in the pilot project. Montana is one of three state involved in the pilot program designed to provide complete background checks on volunteers. |
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