Court Appointed Special Advocates

What is CASA?
Superior Court judges appoint specially trained volunteers to speak up for abused and neglected children. They are called “court appointed special advocates” (CASAs) and are also known as “guardians ad litem” (GALs). CASAs serve as the “eyes and ears” of the court. They are independent of the child’s parents and independent of the state’s child protection and child welfare system.

The CASA investigates a child’s case and makes recommendations to the court. They monitor ongoing cases and try to facilitate communication and collaboration amongst the people and agencies involved with the child and the child’s family. Throughout the case, they advocate for the child’s best interests.

A great strength of the CASA program is that its volunteers come from all walks of life. Court Advocates for Children, the CASA program in Kittitas County, seeks volunteers from all cultures, professions, racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds. Regardless of background, all CASA volunteers are willing to listen, have the ability to keep an open mind, are concerned for children and dedicated to making a difference for the children they represent.

CASA programs operate in most counties in the state of Washington and some tribal courts. A statewide association, Washington State CASA, provides support to its member CASA programs around the state.

History
The CASA program began in 1977 in King County Superior Court located in Seattle, Washington, under the leadership of Presiding Judge David Soukup. By 1999, the CASA program had expanded across the United States. A National CASA association, headquartered in Seattle provides support for its member programs throughout the country.

Kittitas County’s CASA program began in 1985 under the leadership of the Superior Court’s judge – the late JoAnne Alumbaugh.

In many counties, the CASA program is a part of the county’s juvenile court. Kittitas County’s CASA program is truly independent of the court, being managed and administered by an independent not-for-profit agency -- Court Advocates for Children for Kittitas County, located in Ellensburg.

Court Advocate's Mission and Vision
Our mission is to provide trained independent volunteers who promote and advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the justice system of Kittitas County.

Our vision is a community that is aware of and committed to the efforts of Court Advocates to secure safe, permanent and loving homes for abused and neglected children in Kittitas County.