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Home My WebLink About2023 MOU EXECUTEDMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN KITTITAS COUNTY SUPERIOR;COURT AND COURT ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN FOR KITTITAS COUNTY PURPOSE: The Superior Courts of the various counties are authorized under Chapte establish and operate Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)13p agreements with independent CASA programs to provide court appainte ,advocates/guardians ad litem in juvenile dependency cases filed and. pen Consistent with the above legislative intent and authority as expressed I I Kittitas County Superior Court has provided CASA services in juvenile through an agreement with Court Advocates for Children for Kittitas Co :corporation incorporated in December 1985. I This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) memorializes and out County Superior Court and Court Advocates for Children for Kittita have worked together and will continue to work together to provide in dependency cases filed and pending in Kittitas County Superior.;( It is the desire of the parties to improve the CASA program by ent�i Advocates is aware that by entering into this MOU, it will continue 13.34 RCW to ms or enter into special .ing �n supenior court. Chapter 13.34 RCW, ;naency cases a not -for -profit tys in which Kittitas ty (Court Advocates); services for }uveniles I i into ;this MOU. Court t . ell bound to provide CASA services forJuverule dependency cases in Kittitas County Superlor Court. This MOU shall continue indefinitely unless terminated by either partras described below. Both parties may review the terms of this MOU annually, or as needed. This 1N OI may be amended only by mutual written agreement. Either party may terminate Us agreement with ninety (90) days written notice with or without cause. This MOU shall remaini ee�ctuitil there is a written notification from either party, that there is a need to change; q to�"te this MOU. In the event of termination of this MOU, Court Advocates shall be paid compensation, as described in Section 2 below, through the last month of services provided to Ktttas i ounty Superior Court. 1. IT IS AGREED THAT COURT ADVOCATES FOR CHILDtEN FOR KITTITAS COUNTY (Court Advocates) SHALL: a. Provide those services needed to recruit, select, and ain olunteers to serve as CASAs/ uardians ad litem in Kittitas County juveni : doendency proceedings. g , b. Provide administration. and management services to •'ttitas :County Superior Court related to the CASA program. c. Supervise all.volunteer CASAs, including conducting.or causing to be conducted on its behalf the background information and investiiations required by applicable provisions of law and regulatory standards. i 2. IT IS AGREED THAT KITTITAS COUNTY SUPERIOR G�DURT SHALL: .i t( • f E I a. Pay a monthly sum to Court Advocates for Children,,ps allocated by the County , each year to defray in part the cost of providing the. services'described above; and, in addition, b. Assist the county auditor in ensuring that reimburse ' ent dollars provided by the State of Washington Administrative Office of the Co„ : forprovision of CASA/guardian ad litem services in juvenile depend' ncy cases filed and pending in Kittitas County Superior Court are passed through to Court Advocates: C. Provide assistance that Court Advocates may requi to�compiete required criminal and child abuse history background checks. n the administration of the CASA program. 3. INDEPENDENT STATUS. Court Advocates acknowledges hat it iSs an independent (not for profit) corporation. Court Advocates shall indemnify and hold less Kittitas County from all obligations to pay or withhold federal or st i e a ' es;or contributions on behalf of Court Advocates or its employees. Although Cour, Advocates is an independent t corporation, the terms of this MOU shall not alter, impair o l modify It legal ;rights that Court Advocates, its employees and volunteers have or may 't a ` e,, wider applicable laws to legal defense, immunityand indemnification from Kittit Cbunt � in connection with! g the performance of CASA/guardian ad litem services and duties on' ehalf of Kittitas County Superior Court. The parties agree to cooperate to the greaten extent possible in defense of any claims made arising from acts performed within, tbe scope of this MOU. Intentional acts of misconduct are not within the scope of this MOLT. 4. CONFIDENTIALITY. To the extent allowed bylaw, Court Advobates shall use information gained by reason of this Agreement only for the; purpose Hof this Agreement. Court Advocates shall not disclose, transfer or convey any such iiif&mation to any other except as required by law. 5. SEVERABILITY AND SURVIVAL. Should any of the provision contained in this Agreement be held illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the other provision shall remain in full effect. The confidentiality provision shall survive termination of this Agreement for, any cause. 1 6. STANDARD OF CARE. Court Advocates shall complete its seryices :with the standard of care and degree of skill and diligence normally employed by professionals performing the same or similar services in the locale in which the services #re performed. , i i COURT ADVOCATES, FOR CHILDREN FOR KITTITAS COUNTY �Md yti rum '/ Sandra Bankston, Executive Director Dated: 0 p 6 to 2fl?17 KITTITAS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Scott R. Sparks, Presi` jng Judge Dated: