History of CASA

“It terrified me to make decisions about kids when I didn’t have anybody there.”
Judge David W. Soukup

In 1977, a Seattle Superior Court Judge named David Soukup was concerned about trying to make decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without enough information. He conceived the idea of appointing community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court. He made a request for volunteers; 50 citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement.

The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (National CASA) was formed in 1982 to provide a unified voice for CASA programs around the country. Since its inception, CASA/GAL advocacy has grown to change America’s child welfare and judicial systems, helping more than 2 million children find safe, permanent homes in which they can thrive.