How did the CASA program get its start?

A guardian ad litem is someone appointed by the court to look out for the best interests of a person during the course of legal proceedings. The first volunteer guardian ad litem program serving abused and neglected children was organized in 1977 in King County, Washington. In the following years, word of success of the King County program spread like wildfire, and similar programs were begun all over the United States.

Because some state statutes require the guardian ad litem to be an attorney, the term CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) was coined to denote volunteers from the local community who had been trained to serve as advocates for children involved in court proceedings.

In 1982, the National CASA Association, Inc. was established to serve as an umbrella organization for the growing number of programs in the country. National CASA provides information, technical assistance, research, training, and various grants. National CASA also hosts an annual national conference.

CASA of Rochester/Monroe County, Inc. was started in 1981 through the joint efforts of the Junior League of Rochester and Rochester Action for Foster Children. The Monroe County CASA program is a member of CASA: Advocates for Children of New York State and of the National CASA Association.

Where can I learn more about CASA?

CASA: Advocates for Children of New York State hosts a website at www.casanys.org.
The National CASA Association hosts a website at
www.nationalcasa.org.

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