Grant Recipient Update – Care House
February 5, 2026

Standing Strong for Children: How Impact100 Helped CASA of Oakland County Continue Its Mission

When children enter the child welfare system, consistency and advocacy can make all the difference. Thanks to the generous support of Impact100 Oakland County, CARE House of Oakland County’s CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) program has been able to provide exactly that—steadfast support for children during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Investing in People Who Advocate for Children

To date, $48,667 in Impact100 grant funding has been used to support the core staff of the CASA program, including the CASA Director and CASA Case Managers. These dedicated professionals recruit, train, and supervise volunteer advocates who serve as a child’s voice in court—ensuring their needs, safety, and best interests are always front and center.

Real Impact, Even in the Face of Loss

Since the start of the grant period, CASA of Oakland County has:

  • Provided Court-Appointed Special Advocates for 105 children

  • Maintained 79 trained CASA volunteers, with 71 actively assigned to cases

These outcomes are especially meaningful given the challenges the program faced in 2025. The unexpected and tragic passing of a beloved CASA Case Manager deeply affected the CARE House team. Yet, even during this incredibly difficult time, the program never reduced services to children.

With support from a part-time staff member and careful stewardship of grant funds, CASA continued operating at full capacity while recruiting for the vacant position. A new full-time CASA Case Manager is scheduled to join the team in February, ensuring long-term stability and continued excellence in service.

Unexpected Successes and Community Support

One unexpected success was the program’s ability to maintain full continuity of care despite staffing challenges—something that would not have been possible without Impact100’s investment. In addition, CARE House received additional funding from Michigan CASA, helping strengthen the program and reinforcing statewide confidence in its impact.

Why Impact100’s Support Matters

The Impact100 Oakland County grant played a critical role during one of the most challenging chapters in the program’s history. Without this support, CARE House would have been forced to reduce the number of children served or pause new referrals—leaving vulnerable children without consistent advocacy when they needed it most.

Instead, because of Impact100:

  • Children continued receiving uninterrupted advocacy

  • Volunteers remained supported and supervised

  • The program remained stable and forward-focused

Looking Ahead: Sustainability and Growth

CARE House is committed to sustaining the CASA program through:

  • Continued partnership with Michigan CASA

  • Pursuing additional grant opportunities

  • Ongoing support from individuals, corporations, and community partners

The organization anticipates staying fully on schedule to complete all grant objectives and responsibly spend remaining funds.

A Shared Commitment to Children

While CARE House has not yet published materials specifically about the CASA of Oakland County program, the impact of this work—and Impact100’s role in sustaining it—continues to be felt every day in courtrooms, foster homes, and lives changed by advocacy.

At its heart, this grant represents more than funding. It represents belief—belief in children, belief in community, and belief that even in the hardest moments, we can show up and keep going.

Impact100 Oakland County did exactly that. And because of it, children across Oakland County were never left without a voice.

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