A Seattle Judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interest of absused and neglected children in court because he was concerned about making decisions regarding these children without sufficient information. The program was so successful that judges across the country replicated it for their courtrooms.Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, Inc. was founded in 1995 by a foster care mother after grieving the death of a foster child who once resided in her home. Her mission was to work to prevent "even one more child from falling through the cracks of our child welfare proceedings." The program operated on a small scale it its early years of existence.
In July of 2001, after receiving a grant from the National CASA Association, CASA revitalized its board, hired staff and increased its overall operating capacity. Today, CASA serves over 290 children. Our goal is to continue training volunteers until we can provide a volunteer advocate for every child living within the foster care system.
CASA Founder Honorable David Soukup
"As a judge, I had to make tough decisions. I had to decide whether to take a child from the only home he's ever known or leave him somewhere he might possibly be abused. I needed someone who could tell me what was best for that child-- from the child's viewpoint. That's what CASA does."
Every child deserves a safe, loving, permanent home. CASA volunteers are everyday people who are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children living within the foster care system. A CASA volunteer advocates for one child's case until he/she is placed into a safe, permanent and loving home.
Who are CASA Volunteers?
CASA volunteers are everyday people who are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children living within the foster care system. A CASA volunteer advocates for one child's case until he/she is placed into a safe, permanent, and loving home.