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Resources for Judges

Resources for Judges

The CASA/GAL model was founded by a judge, and judges have endorsed it from the start.

Advocate for Children

Success through partnership

Judge David Soukup was concerned about his ability to make decisions relating to the lives of children who’d been neglected or abused, without sufficient information about them.

He had the idea of using carefully screened and trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of children in court. In 1977, the first CASA/GAL program was born, in King County, Washington.

Read more about our history.

We have a long-standing partnership with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), and are supported by the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators.

An effective relationship between each program and the court remains essential to our ability to provide effective volunteer advocacy for children.

Learn more about the CASA/GAL model

CASA/GAL volunteers benefit children, families and the court

In a national survey, judges said: 

They are most likely to assign volunteers to their

most difficult

cases

Volunteers' input has been

very useful

in decisions about case outcomes

CASA/GAL volunteers are

very effective

at monitoring the case and considering the child's best interests

A Judge’s Perspective

Family Court Judge M. Brent Hall shares his perspective on the value of CASA volunteers in his courtroom and the impact they have on children and families. Judge Hall works closely with CASA of the Heartland in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Video provided by CASA of the Heartland, produced by Heartland Communications.

Resources regarding judges’ work with CASA/GAL programs

Enhanced Resource Guidelines:

Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases (NCJFCJ)

PDF

Improving Outcomes for Children in Child Protection Cases:

The Role of the Child Advocate (NCJFCJ and National CASA/GAL)

Video

Statements and resolutions in support of CASA/GAL volunteer advocacy

Interested in bringing the CASA/GAL program to your courtroom?

Learn More