Maricann McClarnon Miller
HANCOCK COUNTY — The director of the Hancock County Court Appointed Special Advocates program has resigned after nine months on the job.
Tammy Settergren was hired in February to take over the reins from Maricann McClarnon Miller, who created the local program at the start of 2020 after first working as an advocate through the Madison County CASA program.
Settergren had also taken over as executive director of Friends of CASA, a nonprofit which raises funds for the program aimed at supporting children removed from their homes by the court.
McClarnon Miller said she will be coming out of retirement to resume both roles effective Monday, Nov. 21.
“This program is my baby, and I want to see it succeed. We look forward to a very bright and prosperous 2023,” she said.
Neither gave details as to the reason for Settergren’s departure, but Settergren said she looked forward to pursuing other opportunities and would continue to support the CASA program in any way she can.
“I’m confident that I am leaving the program in great shape for the staff, volunteers and management,” said Settergren, whose last day on the job was Wednesday, Nov. 16.
“I have a lot of love and support to continue to give this community and I anxiously await my next opportunity.”
Settergren first joined the program as a volunteer in March of 2020 and became a CASA two months later.
She said she’s proud of the work she’s done as director, adding additional staff, building relationships in the community and expanding the Friends of CASA program.
Hancock County Circuit Court judge Scott Sirk, who oversees the local CASA program, said he appreciates the work Settergren has done for the program and wishes her the best.
“We’re excited to have Marciann back to help us move forward,” he said.
McClarnon Miller said she’s taking over the CASA and Friends of CASA programs on an interim basis, and that the search for a new diretor will start in January.
“This organization is my heart, and it means everything to me that it grows and prospers so we are able to serve the children of Hancock County,” she said. “We have some amazing volunteers, and know that there’s a bright future ahead for the program.”
One of her main goals is growing the program’s volunteer base of court-appointed child advocates, which provide a voice for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. The program now has around 50 volunteers, which she said isn’t enough to serve the growing number of children who need support.
“We want to be able to serve every single child who has been removed from their home by abuse or neglect, and right now we’re not able to do that because there are not enough volunteers,” said McClarnon Miller. “We have children on a waiting list that is growing.”
Sirk said the need for court-appointed advocates for children has grown exponentially since he first entered the legal system as an attorney in 1988.
“Over time it seems like there’s been a breakdown in the family, which is why the CASA role is so important,” he said. “CASA volunteers play a tremendous role for us. They are the eyes and ears of the court when it comes to helping these vulnerable children.”
While McClarnon Miller hopes to start classes for new volunteers early next year, she said she’s always willing to talk to people about what the program entails and how they can be of service.
“I would be thrilled to talk with anybody who is interested in serving kids. I’m always happy to talk about the CASA program,” she said.
For more information on Hancock County CASA or Friends of CASA, visit CASAhancockcounty.org.
