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Act Locally: Find a CASA program near you
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Forgotten Children

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Overview

In 1977, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. So successful was this program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the US Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA programs with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act.

Today, we have grown to a network of more than 59,000 volunteers that serve 243,000 abused and neglected children through 900+ local program offices nationwide. Our advocates, also known as volunteer guardians ad litem in some jurisdictions, are appointed by judges and act as officers of the court. Judges rely on the information these trusted advocates present.

Learn about current employment opportunities with National CASA and throughout the CASA/GAL network.

Read the values (62 KB PDF) established by National CASA's staff.

See the results of independent research documenting the value of CASA advocacy.

 

Learn More About the Important Work of CASA Volunteers from a Former Foster Youth

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To give a child a CASA is to give them a voice.
To give them a voice is to give them hope.
And to give them hope is to give them the world.

Pamela Butler, former foster youth

National CASA's Services
In addition to providing leadership, training, technical assistance and grants to CASA programs across the country, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association stages an annual conference and promotes CASA programs through public awareness efforts. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, National CASA offers consultation and resources that help start CASA programs and provides vital assistance to established programs.

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