ABOUT CASA CASA of Kent County is a non-profit organization that empowers community members to advocate for abused and neglected children by being their voice in court. We do this by training volunteers to investigate, facilitate, advocate and monitor services for children who are wards of the court due to abuse and/or neglect. CASA volunteers present first-hand information and observations to help judges make the very best decisions about children’s futures. CASA is unique because we train everyday community members to speak up for the best interests of children in court, providing a child, a consistent, caring, understanding and powerful voice speaking up on behalf of their best interests and their wishes. Our Guiding Principles Every child in Kent County deserves a safe and loving home. A CASA volunteer is essential for affecting the optimal outcome in all referred cases of child abuse and neglect in Kent County. Our volunteers are our most valuable asset and should reflect the diversity and cultural make-up of the children we serve. Our work would not be possible without the support of our philanthropic community. History The model for CASA of Kent County dates back to 1977, when Seattle Superior Court Judge David Soukup developed a pilot program to train volunteers to serve as the “eyes and ears” of overwhelmed family court judges—and to ensure that a child’s voice is present in court, even if the child is not. The program was so successful that, after the passage of the U.S. Congress Victims of Child Abuse Act in 1990, the CASA model spread rapidly throughout the country. CASA of Kent County has been empowering citizens to advocate for children since 1992 as a court-based program and incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2005. Annually 100 or more community members advocate on behalf of 200 plus children. If you are interested in becoming a Voice for Every Child, please visit our website at www.casakentco.org.
