Opportunities From: United Way of Cascade County

You can make sure that a child has enough to eat tonight. All you have to do is donate to the local school food pantries. These pantries provide children with food for over the weekends and, depending on their stock, other items such as toiletries. Studies show that fed children do better in school, and the pantries are one way to help feed hungry students. All you need to do to help is donate food and/or toiletries to a school pantry. For more information, contact Lisa Carlson at lisa_carlson@gfps.k12.mt.us.

Join CASA and make a child's journey through the social welfare system a little easier. Each CASA volunteer protects a child’s rights and ensure that their best interests are met so that in the overburdened social welfare system in Cascade County, abused and neglected children won’t slip through the cracks among hundreds of cases. CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers local citizens to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children. Appointed by a local judge, CASA guardians ad litem advocate for children to be in a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible.

No experience required. CASA provides training. Volunteers provide the heart and compassion to help ensure Powerful Voices to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children in court. CASA-CAN volunteer guardians ad litem work to ensure that our children are safe and have a permanent home as quickly as possible.

Potential volunteers must be at least 21 years old, complete a written application, and pass a background check.

New volunteers will receive 30 hours of Pre-service training to prepare them for their role. The average time commitment after initial training is 10 hours per month. CASA will provide additional support and mentoring as needed. A commitment of one year is required.

For more information or to volunteer, contact the CASA office at micasa@casacan.org or 454-6738.

Foster parents have the ability to give abused and neglected children a safe and stable home to start the healing process while their parents are working with Child & Family Services with the goal of reunification. Foster parents are called on to include the child in their case as a member of their family unit while giving recognition to the birth family’s rights.

Foster parents will work objectively with Child and Family Services Division of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services or other placing agencies to implement the particular plan for the child in their care. They must comply with all licensing or placement requirements and cooperate and support visitation with parents and siblings. Foster parents inform the child protection specialist about medical or behavioral problems, educational progress, and other matters regarding the child. They keep personal information regarding the child and birth family confidential. Foster parents help the child develop and understand the child’s cultural traditions, ethnic background, and religious beliefs. They parent according to the reasonable and prudent parenting standard.

Potential foster parents must complete application, pass a background check, complete all training, and successfully complete a SAFE Home Study. Training includes 8-hour Keeping Children Safe in person and 15 hours of CORE training online. Placement can be made once you are fully licensed. Once licensed, you may relicense each year as long as you would like to continue. Foster parents will be supervised by the Resource Family Specialist working with the family and the CPS worker. To be considered, you must be physically and mentally capable of caring for children.

To apply or for more information, please go to http://dphhs.mt.gov/CFSD/Fosterparent.