"We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own."
- Ben Sweetland
HISTORY
National CASA Movement - How it all began:
In 1976, Superior Court Judge David Soukup of Seattle, WA, saw a recurring problem in his courtroom:
"In criminal and civil cases, even though there were always many different points of view, you walked out of the courthouse at the end of the day and you said, "I've done my best; I can live with this decision.' But when you're involved with a child, and you're trying to decide what to do to facilitate that child's growth into a mature and happy adult, you don't feel like you have sufficient information to allow you to make the right decision. You can't walk away and leave them at the courthouse at 4 o'clock. You wonder, "Do I really know everything I should? Is this really right?"
To ensure he was getting all the facts and the long-term welfare of each child was being represented, Judge Soukup came up with an idea that would change America's judicial procedure and the lives of almost a million children. He obtained funding to recruit and train community volunteers to step into courtrooms on behalf of the children: the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers.
This unique concept was implemented in Seattle as a pilot program in January 1977.
By 1982 it was clear that a national association was needed to direct CASA's emerging national presence, and the National CASA Association was formed in Seattle.
On April 22, 1985, President Ronald Reagan presented the National CASA Association with the President's Volunteer Action Award for "outstanding volunteer contribution, demonstrating accomplishment through voluntary action."
In August of 1989, the American Bar Association, the country's largest professional organization of attorneys, officially endorsed the use of CASA volunteers to work with attorneys to speak for abused and neglected children in court.
The U.S. Congress authorized the expansion of CASA with the passage of the "Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990" so that a "Court Appointed Special Advocate shall be available to every victim of child abuse or neglect in the United States that needs such an advocate."
Today the National CASA Association represents over 950 local CASA programs across the country, including Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It provides support for new programs, technical assistance, training, and fundraising, media, and public awareness services.
Currently, over 70,000 CASA volunteers serve approximately 280,000 children each year.
CASA Kane County
CASA
Kane County was established in 1988 by concerned citizens, child welfare
professionals, and court personnel. The program was developed in response to
concerns that the rights and needs of abused and neglected children were not
being adequately addressed in court.
Founder Charlotte Evans first learned about the CASA movement while out west
with her family, and brought the inspiration back to Kane County. Chief
Judge Gene Nottolini signed the General Order, and Judge Peter Grometer was the
presiding judge in Juvenile Court. During the program’s first year, a part-time
director and two CASA volunteers served seven children.
In 1992, the legal status of CASA volunteers changed from "Friends of the Court" to Guardian ad Litem. This change has given CASAs a more powerful role in court. Pro Bono attorneys have been recruited to assist with the agency's more complicated cases since 1993.
Beginning in 1999, CASA has organized a biannual conference to educate the public about issues that impact abused and neglected children and their families.
In the fall of 2004, CASA Kane County was asked by the Probate Court judge to expand its mandate. CASA volunteers are now appointed to all private guardianship cases involving minors.
Today, there are approximately 200 CASA volunteers and 12 pro bono attorneys representing the best interests of over 450 abused and neglected children in Kane County Juvenile and Probate Courts each year. Last year, CASA Kane County served 466 children.
