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About Each year, thousands of children are thrust into court through no fault of their own. Some are victims of violence, psychological torment, or sexual abuse. Others have been neglected or abandoned by their own parents. Most are frightened and confused. Often these children also become victims of a massive child welfare system - a complex legal network of lawyers, social workers, and judges who are too frequently overworked to give urgent attention to each child. In 1976, Superior Court Judge David Soukup of Seattle, Washington, observed a recurring problem of too little information in the courtroom upon which to base life-changing decisions about the safety, permanency and well-being of children. He raised funding to recruit and train community volunteers to obtain information and speak on behalf of children in court. In 1977, a CASA pilot program was formed based on Judge Soukup’s idea. In 1982, the National CASA Association was established to direct CASA’s emerging national presence. In 1988, Georgia CASA began as a demonstration project of Kids of Federal law requires that a Guardian ad Litem (GAL- person appointed by the court to advocate for the best interest of a child involved in a juvenile court deprivation proceeding), a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), or both, be appointed in all cases of child abuse or neglect. Georgia law includes GALs and/or CASAs for children in juvenile court deprivation (abuse and neglect) proceedings (O.C.G.A. 15-11-9(b)). Georgia law also outlines the responsibilities and limitations of CASA volunteers (O.C.G.A. 15-11-9.1) |
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