CASA's Commitment to LGTBQIA+ youth

In January 2022, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) signed a settlement agreement that ends a lawsuit filed by a private child welfare agency challenging its non-discrimination policy. This settlement is the result of a 2021 unanimous Supreme Court decision that restricts MDHHS's ability to enforce its non-discrimination policy under certain circumstances. The Supreme Court decision was fatal to the success of Michigan's case.  The decision can be found here:
​19-123 Fulton v. Philadelphia (06/17/2021) (supremecourt.gov). 
 
​CASA acknowledges the heaviness of this decision and the impact that it may have on individuals and families who are implicated by it.

The mission of CASA for Kids, Inc. is to provide volunteer advocates to work independently for the best interests of each child of service coming under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Barry, Eaton, and Ingham County Courts due to abuse and neglect. We aim to do this for EVERY CHILD and acknowledge that historically diversity, equity, and inclusion have not always been our strengths.  We can do better! We are committed to improving our diversity, equity, and inclusion education within our agency. 

CASA for Kids, Inc. Barry, Eaton, and Ingham advocates for LGBTQIA+ children in the child welfare system, and we will continue to do so.  We value and greatly appreciate the LGBTQIA+ foster parents and adoptive families within child welfare and our communities that are providing homes for children who would otherwise have nowhere to go. It is always CASA for Kids' goal to provide advocacy from within the child's community, and identified community. For LGTBQIA+ youth this is no different, and we are deeply grateful for our LGTBQIA+ volunteers and staff. 
​THANK YOU to all of our LGBTQIA+ children, caseworkers, foster families, adoptive parents, and CASA Volunteers. We greatly appreciate you; you are valued and safe here at CASA for Kids Barry, Eaton, and Ingham. 

~ CASA for Kids, Inc. Staff in Barry, Eaton, and Ingham County