History - National CASA/GAL Association for Children (2024)

FAQs

Is CASA evidence-based? ›

Court Appointed Special Advocacy is a nationally-recognized, research-based best practice with many positive proven outcomes for children. Most importantly, children themselves report that they know and can rely on their CASA volunteer.

Our History

We've been standing up for children since 1977.

Court Appointed Special Advocate® (CASA) and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children's best interests. This best-interest advocacy makes a life-changing difference for children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect, many of whom are in foster care.

The National CASA/GAL Association for Children supports a network of 941 state CASA/GAL organizations and local CASA/GAL programs operated in 49 states (all but North Dakota) and the District of Columbia.

At the same time, the study found some challenges, including a tendency for CASA volunteers who are employed full-time (the majority of CASA volunteers) to spend less time on their cases, and the possibility of a mismatch between the services children and parents receive and the needs identified by their caseworkers.

According to the National CASA Association, there are more than 93,000 volunteers nationwide, serving in 49 states and the District of Columbia. North Dakota is the only state without a CASA program. Each year more than a quarter of a million children are assisted through CASA services.

CASA was founded in 1977 by David Soukup, a Seattle judge who became concerned by how quickly decisions concerning the lives of abused and neglected children were being made when there was often a lack of detailed information.

By 1977, Judge Soukup formed the first CASA program to recruit, train, and supervise everyday people who volunteered to build meaningful relationships and advocate for abused and neglected children in juvenile dependency court.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is an independent statutory authority established in 1995 under the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

CASA accounts combine the benefits of savings accounts and current accounts. A current account is mostly used by businesses for everyday transactions and it allows them to deposit and withdraw money often. On the other hand, a savings account is for individuals to save money and earn a small amount of interest.

What is Casa income? ›

Current account savings accounts (CASA) are a type of non-term deposit account. A CASA pays a lower interest rate than term deposits, such as certificates of deposit, and is thus a cheaper source of income for the financial institution.

As a CASA volunteer, you work with foster parents, families, DCS, the court, etc. to figure out the best solution possible for the child which helps you gain a sense of teamwork while also helping you gain insight on how to use your voice and advocate for others.

The National CASA/GAL Association, together with state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who serve as powerful voices for abused and neglected children as they navigate through the court system. CASAs are every day community members appointed by a judge to advocate for children in need of care.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. They are volunteers who are appointed to advocate on behalf of children who have come to the attention of the dependency court system due to abuse, neglect or abandonment.

The National CASA/GAL Association, together with state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a volunteer from the community who serves as an advocate for a child in the foster care system. The CASA is appointed by the juvenile court judge and works with the child, parents, foster parents, school personnel, and others to advocate for the child in court.

There is no restriction on number and amount of deposits. There is also no restriction on withdrawals. No interest is paid on current deposits. These accounts are also known as demand deposits as amount can be withdrawn on demand.

The primary responsibilities of a CASA volunteer are to: Gather information: Review documents and records, interview the children, family members and professionals in the children's lives. Document findings: Provide written reports at court hearings.