CASA was established in the Omaha area in 1998 at the urging of area judges. The idea of CASA first originated in the Seattle area, when a juvenile court judge felt that he was not sufficiently informed about a case involving a child. CASA was created under the premise that there must be an advocate for children within the court system--someone who will fight and keep the child's best interests at heart. It is the CASA volunteer that helps judges make good decisions on behalf of these abused children. Between parents, foster parents, social workers, lawyers and Guardians ad LItem, a child within the court system is constantly being faced with change and instability. In Omaha, over 1,700 children, at any one time, are entangled in the foster care system because they are victims of abuse or neglect. Society has a fundamental obligation to ensure the basic rights and needs of every child are met. CASA volunteers are formidable forces that fight for these rights. There is no one else like a CASA volunteer who brings attention to a child’s need, both in and out of the courtroom. Court Appointed Special Advocate programs provide an innovative, cost-effective approach to a very urgent crisis. CASA programs recruit, screen, train, and supervise CASA volunteers to provide individualized attention for these innocent victims and an independent source of information for the judge who must decide their future. CASA is a national association that has local progams to support their individual communities. Each local program recruits, trains, and supports volunteers. "The mission of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive." -National CASA Association, CASAforChildren.org
