History of CASA
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Concerned over making decisions about abused and neglected children’s lives without sufficient information, Superior Court Judge David Soukup of Seattle conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of children in court. In 1977, he created a legacy that continues to flourish when he founded what was then called the Guardian ad Litem Program and is now known as the King County Dependency CASA Program. This program was the first of its kind and has served as a national model for child abuse advocacy.
In 1977, the Children in Placement Committee of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) developed guidelines to help the juvenile justice system protect the child's right to a safe, permanent family. The committee coined the umbrella term "Court Appointed Special Advocate"—CASA—denoting any volunteer following a clearly defined role as a friend of the court.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (National CASA) was formed in 1982 to provide a unified voice for CASA programs around the country. It has grown to offer leadership, training, technical assistance and grants to programs as well. National CASA stages an annual conference, engages in national public policy efforts, promotes volunteer advocacy through public awareness efforts, offers consultation and resources to help start CASA programs and provides vital assistance to established programs.
For more information, go to: www.nationalcasagal.org
OHIO
Judge Andy Devine formed the first CASA program in Ohio in October 1980 in Lucas County (Toledo). Currently, out of 88 counties in Ohio, there are 48 CASA programs advocating for children in 62 counties.
OHIO ORGANIZATION
The Ohio CASA/GAL Association was established in 1993 as a non-profit organization to serve as a network-wide support association for Ohio’s local CASA/GAL programs. The Association monitors the statewide implementation of National CASA Association standards of practice; holds quarterly director’s meetings and bi-annual training meetings; communicates regularly with local programs; collects statewide data; provides technical assistance and training; manages the “Celebrate Kids!” specialty license plate and disseminates related funds; tracks CASA-related legislation; and holds an annual “Celebrate Kids!” conference.
Mission: The Ohio CASA Association supports local volunteer CASA programs throughout Ohio with technical assistance, funding, and legislative support, so that they may advocate for abused, neglected, and dependent children in the court system.
Phone: (614) 224-2272
Fax: (614) 228-6446
Website: www.ohiocasa.org
RICHLAND COUNTY
Judge Ron Spon began the Richland County Juvenile Court CASA program in 1998 to serve the unique needs of abused and neglected children in our community. Since becoming Juvenile Court Judge in 2019, Judge Steve McKinley continues to recognize that the CASA program plays an important role in Richland County Juvenile Court’s commitment to providing abused and neglected children with safe, stable, nurturing and permanent homes.
THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO - SUPERINTENDENCE RULE 48 GUARDIANS AD LITEM
On January 22, 2009, the Supreme Court of Ohio announced the adoption of a new rule to establish standards and govern guardian ad litem services in Ohio courts. Rule 48 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio (Sup.R. 48) became effective March 1, 2009. Although some courts had local rules, this was the first rule to set statewide standards regarding the appointment, responsibilities, education, and reporting requirements for Guardians ad litem. Sup.R. 48, with revisions effective January 1, 2021, applies in all domestic relations and juvenile cases in common pleas courts when the court appoints a Guardian ad litem to protect and act in the best interest of a child.