THE HISTORY OF CASA

Congress enacted the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Public Law 93-247) in 1974 (amended in 1996) , which created the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. The law also provided Federal funds for  states to establish  programs. This law requires that states:

• Have child abuse and neglect reporting laws;
• Investigate reports of abuse and neglect;
• Educate the public about abuse and neglect;
• Provide a guardian "ad litem" to every abused and neglected child whose case results in judicial proceeding; and
• Maintain the confidentiality of Department of Human Services records.
  

In 1977, David W. Soukup, a King County  Judge in Seattle, Washington was frustrated with the lack of available information about the children whose lives would be impacted by court decision. He organized the first volunteer guardian "ad litem" which later became known as CASA. The core components of Judge Soukup's  pilot program are essentially the same today:  judges appoint selected, well-trained volunteers to represent the best interests of children in court. CASA volunteers typically handle just one or two cases at a time so they can provide in-depth, first-hand documented information to judges, attorneys, social workers, and referees to assist in sound decision making.

In 1982, the National CASA Association, Inc. was established providing information, technical assistance, research and training. 

                                                                 
In 1987 the Oregon Legislature mandated that all abused and neglected children in Oregon should have a CASA (ORS 419A.170) and two pilot programs were started. This mandate requires the CASA to:  

By 2000 every county in Oregon has a CASA program. In 2006, The Marion County CASA program was approved as an independent non-profit organization, CASA of Marion County, Inc.