National CASA Association
In 1977, a Seattle Superior Court Judge named David Soukup was concerned about trying to make decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without enough information. He conceived the idea of appointing community volunteers to independently investigate the cases, make recommendations, and speak up in court about what was in the best interest of the child. He made a request for volunteers; 50 citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement. News of the success of Judge Soukup's experiment spread like wildfire and CASA programs sprang up all over the United States. Currently there are approximately 950 CASA programs throughout the United States and CASA volunteers have helped more than 2 million children find safe, permanent homes in which they can thrive. Click here to watch a video from Judge David Soukup.
CASA of New Jersey
The first CASA programs in NJ were established in 1986 and 1987 in Essex County and Morris County, respectively. CASA of NJ was created in 2000 to address the need to expand CASA programs throughout the state. In addition to expanding the CASA model into all counties, CASA of NJ provides support to community-based CASA programs in NJ, primarily via pass-through funding, training, public education, and technical assistance. Additionally, it provides a forum for local CASA programs to share resources, improve their programs, and unify CASA's voice on behalf of children in foster care statewide.
CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, Inc.
CASA of Morris County started as a project of the National Council of Jewish Women in 1987. It was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1991, and granted 501(c)(3) status in 1992. At the request of the Family Court, the organization expanded into Sussex County in 1996. We are a member of the National CASA Association and an affiliate of CASA of New Jersey, the statewide organization supporting local New Jersey programs.
