Our History

Nationwide History

In 1977, Seattle Superior Court Judge David Soukup was concerned about trying to make decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without having 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. Fifty citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement.

Today, there are more than 96,000 advocates serving in more than 950 state and local program offices nationwide. CASA programs across the country are known by several different names, including Guardian ad Litem, Child Advocates and Voices for Children.

Franklin County History

Established in 1991, CASA of Franklin County began as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer based program. The Junior League of Columbus played a crucial role in its inception, providing essential financial backing and volunteer support. Since its founding, CASA has steadily grown. In 2020, CASA of Franklin County merged with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners' Office of Justice Policy and Programs to strengthen its work for children in need.

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