{"id":595,"date":"2019-03-24T21:03:16","date_gmt":"2019-03-24T21:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/?page_id=595"},"modified":"2025-04-09T20:37:12","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T23:37:12","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/about-us\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fluid_container casa-image-gradient title-text\">\n\t\t<picture>\n\t\t<source media=\"(max-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WebsiteHeroImages_Mobile_OurHistory1.jpg\">\n\t\t<source media=\"(min-width: 769px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/CASA-SubHero-IMG-32-1200x400.jpg\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/CASA-SubHero-IMG-32-1200x400.jpg\" alt=\"Our History\">\n\t<\/picture>\n\t<div class=\"info left\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"title\">Our History<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>We&#8217;ve been standing up for children since 1977.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"fluid_container casa-text-only top\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"subtitle\">About Us<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"title\">It was a judge\u2019s idea<\/h2>\n\t\t<div class=\"text\"><p>Inspiration came to Seattle juvenile court judge David W. Soukup in 1976.<\/p>\n<p>Judge Soukup had insufficient information to make a life-changing decision for a 3-year-old girl who had suffered from child abuse.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s where the idea came from: These children, who had experienced abuse or neglect, needed trained volunteers speaking up in the courtroom for their best interests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"fluid_container casa-image-gradient title-text\">\n\t\t<picture>\n\t\t<source media=\"(max-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WebsiteHeroImages_Mobile_OurHistory2.jpg\">\n\t\t<source media=\"(min-width: 769px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/JudgeSoukupQuote-1200x400.jpg\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/JudgeSoukupQuote-1200x400.jpg\" alt=\"\u201cIt terrified me to make decisions about kids when I didn\u2019t have anybody there.\u201d - Judge David W. Soukup\">\n\t<\/picture>\n\t<div class=\"info left\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"title\">\u201cIt terrified me to make decisions about kids when I didn\u2019t have anybody there.\u201d &#8211; Judge David W. Soukup<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"fluid_container casa-centered-text\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"title\"><\/h2>\n\t\t<div class=\"text\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ayoDh_v8tSM\" width=\"100%\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I walked into the lunchroom, there were 50 people there. And I said, \u2018This is going to work.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8211; Judge Soukup on the first CASA\/GAL meeting, thinking six or seven people would show up<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"fluid_container casa-image-solid-text left\">\n\t<div class=\"image\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/JudgeSoukup_1330x887-1200x800.png');\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/JudgeSoukup_1330x887-1200x800.png\" class=\"attachment-landscape size-landscape\" alt=\"The passing of Judge David W. Soukup, founder of the court-appointed special advocate\/volunteer guardian ad litem (CASA\/GAL) movement\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/JudgeSoukup_1330x887-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/JudgeSoukup_1330x887-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/JudgeSoukup_1330x887-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/JudgeSoukup_1330x887-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/JudgeSoukup_1330x887.png 1330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div>\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t<i class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t<div class=\"textblock\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"title\">The passing of Judge David W. Soukup, founder of the court-appointed special advocate\/volunteer guardian ad litem (CASA\/GAL) movement<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"text\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>We are deeply saddened to share with you that Judge David W. Soukup, the founder of the court-appointed special advocate\/volunteer guardian ad litem (CASA\/GAL) movement, has passed away.<\/p>\n<p>We celebrate the life of Judge Soukup and are extraordinarily grateful for his vision, leadership, and remarkable support of the CASA\/GAL mission at the local, state and national levels for over 40 years.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/the-passing-of-judge-david-w-soukup-founder-of-the-court-appointed-special-advocate-volunteer-guardian-ad-litem-casa-gal-movement\/\" target=\"_self\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"fluid_container casa-text-only middle\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"title\"><\/h2>\n\t\t<div class=\"text\">\t\t\t<!-- Cool Timeline Free V3.0.8 -->\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-wrapper\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Timeline\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-before-content\"><div class=\"timeline-main-title\"><H2>The History of the CASA\/GAL Movement<\/H2><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<div id=\"cool_timeline_2\" class=\"cool-timeline-wrapper ctl-both-sided ctl-vertical-wrapper ctl-compact-wrapper\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-start\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Timeline Container -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-timeline ctl-timeline-container\" data-animation=\"FadeInOut\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Center Line -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-inner-line\" role=\"presentation\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3752\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"1\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3752\" aria-label=\"2\">The Honorable Judge Soukup starts the first CASA\/GAL program in Seattle (King County), Washington.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1977<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3908\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"2\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3908\" aria-label=\"2\">A National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges committee endorses the program as a model for safeguarding a child\u2019s rights to a safe and permanent family.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1977<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3909\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"3\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3909\" aria-label=\"2\">Judge John F. Mendoza of Nevada suggests the term \u201ccourt-appointed special advocate\u201d to designate the lay court-appointed volunteers.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1978<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3912\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"4\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3912\" aria-label=\"2\">The first Annual CASA Conference is held in Nevada, and participants vote to establish the National CASA Association.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1982<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3913\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"5\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3913\" aria-label=\"2\">The number of CASA\/GAL programs reaches 88.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1982<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3914\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"6\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3914\" aria-label=\"2\">Twenty-nine states have CASA\/GAL programs.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1983<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3915\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"7\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3915\" aria-label=\"2\">The National CASA Association forms in Seattle.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1984<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3916\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"8\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3916\" aria-label=\"2\">National CASA enters into its first cooperative agreement with the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which remains our largest funder to date.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1984<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3917\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"9\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3917\" aria-label=\"2\">President Ronald Reagan presents National CASA with the President\u2019s Volunteer Action Award.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1985<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3918\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"10\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3918\" aria-label=\"2\">10,000 children served annually through 159 programs.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1985<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3919\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"11\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3919\" aria-label=\"2\">40,000 children served by 12,000 volunteers in 271 local programs and 44 states.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1987<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3920\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"12\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3920\" aria-label=\"2\">Tribal courts first begin CASA programs through grants to five tribes.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1988<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3921\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"13\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3921\" aria-label=\"2\">National CASA becomes Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation\u2019s national charity.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1989<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3922\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"14\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3922\" aria-label=\"2\">72,000 children served by 17,000 volunteers in 412 program offices.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1990<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3923\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"15\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3923\" aria-label=\"2\">The CASA program is first authorized in the Victims of Child Abuse Act.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1991<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3925\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"16\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3925\" aria-label=\"2\">129,000 children served by 38,000 volunteers in 642 program offices.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1995<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3927\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"17\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3927\" aria-label=\"2\">Congress amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to allow the required GAL to be an attorney or CASA volunteer.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1996<\/div><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/advocate-for-children\/advocate-for-legislation\/capta\/\">Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)<\/a>, originally enacted in 1974, establishes national definitions regarding child abuse and neglect and assigns certain responsibilities to the federal government, particularly relating to data collection and technical assistance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3929\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"18\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3929\" aria-label=\"2\">The National Bar Association endorses CASA volunteer advocacy.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">1997<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3930\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"19\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3930\" aria-label=\"2\">174,000 children served by 47,000 volunteers in 900 program offices.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2000<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3931\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"20\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3931\" aria-label=\"2\">National CASA\u2019s partnership with Jewelers for Children, our largest private funder, begins.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2003<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3932\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"21\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3932\" aria-label=\"2\">CASA network reaches 2 million children served since inception.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2007<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3933\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"22\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3933\" aria-label=\"2\">Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients and communities across the Americas, intensified its philanthropic and pro bono legal efforts with a $1 million pledge to the National CASA Association.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2015<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-3934\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"23\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-3934\" aria-label=\"2\">National CASA Association opens an office in Washington, D.C.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2016<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-4001\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"24\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-4001\" aria-label=\"2\">The first annual Akerman Academic Excellence Scholarship award is given to a youth in foster care to assist with college expenses.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2016<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-4002\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"25\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-4002\" aria-label=\"2\">National CASA celebrates its 35th anniversary.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2017<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-4003\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"26\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-4003\" aria-label=\"2\">The number of CASA\/GAL volunteers across the country increased by nearly 10 percent, to 93,300, facilitating best interest advocacy to 271,800 children and youth through 950 programs.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2018<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-4006\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"27\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-4006\" aria-label=\"2\">As part of the Change a Child&#8217;s Story\u2122 awareness campaign, National CASA Association changes its name to National Court Appointed Special Advocate\/Guardian Ad Litem (CASA\/GAL) Association for Children.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2019<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-4005\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"28\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-4005\" aria-label=\"2\">Kappa Alpha Theta fulfills its $1 million pledge.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2019<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-4007\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"29\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-4007\" aria-label=\"2\">National CASA\/GAL Association opens an office in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2019<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-4010\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"30\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-4010\" aria-label=\"2\">National CASA\/GAL celebrates 40 years of impact.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2021<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-4009\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"31\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-4009\" aria-label=\"2\">The first Walk Run Thrive event kicks off.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2021<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-4008\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"32\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-4008\" aria-label=\"2\">Congress designates May 18, 2021, as CASA\/GAL Volunteer&#8217;s Day.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2021<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div  id=\"ctl-story-5334\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-left\" data-aos=\"FadeInOut\"   data-story-index=\"33\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div><!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-5334\" aria-label=\"2\">The passing of Judge David W. Soukup, founder of the CASA\/GAL Movement.<\/div><!-- Story Date --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big story-date\">2023<\/div><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>1933-2023<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/the-passing-of-judge-david-w-soukup-founder-of-the-court-appointed-special-advocate-volunteer-guardian-ad-litem-casa-gal-movement\/\">The passing of Judge David W. Soukup, founder of the court-appointed special advocate\/volunteer guardian ad litem (CASA\/GAL) movement<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-end\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"fluid_container casa-icon-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<i class=\"fal fa-fast-forward\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t<h2 class=\"title\"><\/h2>\n\t\t<div class=\"text\">\n\t\t\t<p>More than 40 years later, with the number of children in the system on the rise, we need volunteers more than ever.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<span id=\"icon-cta-previous-btn\" class=\"cta-previous-next-btns\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<a class=\"button\" href=\"http:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/advocate-for-children\/be-a-casa-volunteer\/\" target=\"_self\">Learn More<\/a>\n\t\t<span id=\"icon-cta-next-btn\" class=\"cta-previous-next-btns\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/about-us\/history\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":609,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"casa-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-595","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.2 - 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