History of CASA
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 speak up for the best interests of these children in court. He made a request for volunteers; 50 citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement. From that first program has grown a network of nearly 1,000 CASA and guardian ad litem programs that are recruiting, training and supporting volunteers in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
In Arkansas, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers are authorized by the Juvenile Code (A.C.A. § 9-27-316), with the state program established in 1997 through the Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts to provide trained, appointed advocates for children in foster care.
According to A.C.A. 9-27-316(g)(3) Each CASA shall:
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Investigate the case to which he or she is assigned to provide independent factual information to the court through the Attorney ad litem.
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Monitor the case to ensure compliance with court orders.
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Assist the Attorney ad litem in representing the juvenile’s best interest.
CASA of Crawford County became a 501c(3) on January 29, 2007 to serve the children of Crawford County who had experienced abuse and neglect and entered the foster care system through the 21st Judicial District under the leadership of Judge Michael Medlock.
CASA of Crawford County is a member of the Arkansas State CASA Association and the National CASA Association. While we operate as an independent organization, we are grateful for the guidance and support these associations provide.
Our Mission
Our Vision
The Mission of CASA of Crawford County, Inc. is to recruit, train, and support volunteer advocates who will serve to ensure safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children in the community.
It is the goal of CASA of Crawford County, Inc. to have a volunteer advocate available to serve every abused and neglected child that enters foster care in our county.
CASA Board of Directors
Brooke Moore
President
Arvest Bank
Sheila Pannell
Vice President
Retired
Dianna Lyon-Wagner
Secretary
My HR Pros
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Ja'Cory Taylor
Treasurer
VB Boys & Girls Club
CASA Staff
Melanie Allen
Executive Director
Brandy Alverson
Advocate Supervisor/Trainer
Christi Lansdell
Advocate Supervisor
Our Values
Honorable
As we represent the Judges we serve/ we desire volunteers, board members and staff to be people who are honorable in their actions and speech.
Collaboration
We believe that the children we advocate for can best achieve safe permanent homes by creating a community of collaboration. Realizing that it takes everyone/ working together, to see the end of child abuse and neglect
Empowerment
We desire every interaction to be empowering. Seeking to empower our volunteers to speak boldly, clearly, and effectively as they seek to empower the children they serve.
Safety
We value creating safe relationships and environments for children to thrive in, for volunteers to
work and grow in and to create a culture of inclusiveness and diversity.
Hope
Living the belief that we can and will make a difference in children's lives.
