It is commended that stricter guidelines should be in place for CASA. Unfortunately, there is another element in which CASA is suppose to operate: Parents.
This particular bill is automaticly under the assumption that the child welfare system is flawless and all children are assumed under the state interpretation of the ASFA that poverty is abuse and neglect.
The assumption of infallibility, also, overflows onto the privatized child welfare agencies, which function, deviod of any oversight. Statutory constraints should be considered into Michigan being in the lower bowels of the national ratings.
CASA should be held under the strictest standards of ensuring all parents/caregivers are given the respect of their constitutional rights under state and federal law.
CASA should function as a conduit for grievances, since Michigan refuses to recognize the right to due process and the right to freedom of speech.
I am initiating a campaign to ensure all actors within the court and child welfare agency system are to be brought into the strictest compliance of contractual state agreements and the rule of law.
Before this piece of legislation is even considered for discussion, I highly suggest those involved keep in mind the silent loosers of thier children...some of whom will never speak again, except through the unheard tears of the parents/caregivers.
Beverly Tran