The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program was founded in 1977 in Seattle, Washington, by Judge David W. Soukup. Concerned that children in abuse and neglect cases were not receiving adequate representation in court, he envisioned a system where trained volunteers could advocate for the best interests of these vulnerable children. This idea led to the creation of the first CASA program, where judges appointed volunteers to investigate cases, provide reports, and ensure that children’s voices were heard in the courtroom.

The program quickly gained national recognition for its effectiveness in improving outcomes for children in the foster care and child welfare systems. In 1982, the National CASA Association was established to support and expand the program across the United States. Today, CASA operates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with over 900 local programs and more than 85,000 volunteers advocating for children in need.