CASA For Children!
Speakers:Carla Landry, Tammy Gibson, and Brooks Hebert, from CASA
History and objectives of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children. .
In 1976, Superior Court Judge David Soukup of Seattle, WA, saw a recurring problem in his courtroom. To ensure he was getting all the facts and the long-term welfare of each child was being represented, the Seattle judge came up with an idea that would change America’s judicial procedure and the lives of over a million children. He obtained funding to recruit and train community volunteers to step into courtrooms on behalf of the children.
This unique concept was implemented in Seattle as a pilot program in January 1977. During that first year, the program provided 110 trained CASA volunteers for 498 children in 376 dependency cases.
In 1978 the National Center of State Courts selected the Seattle program as the “best national example of citizen participation in the juvenile justice system.” This recognition,
neglected and/or abandoned; attempt to find safe and permanent homes for abused children as quickly as possible; are specially trained and appointed by a judge; help break the cycle of child abuse. Today the National CASA Association represents 930 CASA programs across the country. CASA provides support for starting programs, technical assistance, training, and fundraising, media, and public awareness services.
CASA Volunteers
No matter what your time, talents or interests, there is a place for you. All too often we don’t think about abused or neglected children until we read about the death of a child in the news paper. Children in Lafourche Parish are in need of powerful voices in court to help them find a safe passage to permanent homes where they can thrive. Your support, either as a volunteer or through your tax deductible donation, is deeply appreciated.
