CASA of Southern Oklahoma is embarking on their 30th Anniversary serving counties which include Carter, Johnston, Love, Marshall, and Murray. CASA of Southern Oklahoma is part of the National CASA network of 951 local community programs supporting volunteers serving children.
At CASA, the volunteer’s role is to recruit, train and support volunteers in their work with abused children. CASA provides trained caring adults to advocate for the best interest of children who have been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect.
CASA volunteers get to know the children and communicate with all parties in the case and with all the people involved in the child’s daily life. This is done to provide all needed information to the courts in order to make recommendations for the best interest of the child. CASA volunteers can give the courts a neutral, non-biased thirdparty voiced opinion that is completely child focused.
CASA mission is “to provide trained volunteers to be champions for the individualized best interests of children in foster care.” Volunteers can improve children’s wellbeing and help them reach a permanent home.
According to nationalcasagal.org, this program was David W. Soukup’s idea. Soukup, a former juvenile court judge, said he felt as though he did not have sufficient information regarding a three-year-old girl who had suffered child abuse.
Soukup realized the children needed trained volunteers speaking up for them in the courtroom. Therefore, in 1977 Soukup started the first CASA/GAL program. Also in 1977, a National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges committee endorsed the program as a model for safeguarding a child’s rights to a safe and permanent family.
Throughout the years, there have been many important dates that have stood out. For example, in 1978 CASA got their name from Judge John F. Mendoza suggesting it stand for “Court-Appointed Special Advocate.” In 1982, the number of CASA/ GAL programs grew to 88.
There are numerous strides CASA has made over the years including President Ronald Reagan presenting National CASA with the President’s Volunteer Action Award in 1985. What an honor. By the year 1987, there were 40,000 children served by 12,000 volunteers in 271 local programs and 44 states.
Soon to follow in 1988, the first Tribal Courts begin CASA programs through grants to five tribes. There are so many accolades that have been given to CASA throughout the years. These have come about by volunteers being the voice of innocent children. By 2007, CASA network has reached two million children since its inception.
In July of 2008, CASA was established as a non-profit and changed the name to CASA of Oklahoma County Inc. It is a member of both the National Association as well as a United Way Partner Agency.
Together, everybody can do a part in changing the outcome of a child’s life. One volunteer, one child at a time. Volunteers can make a lifechanging difference for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Here is how to start. Contact the local office at CASA of Southern Oklahoma, 20 B St SW 401, Ardmore, Okla., 73401. The phone number is 580-226-0009, and the website can be viewed at http;//www.casasok.org.
Requirements to be a volunteer must be 21 years or older and must agree to be fingerprinted and undergo comprehensive background check.
CASA training is offered online or in person.
It offers a five-week online Flex training from home. Be sure to sign up soon, the next Flex training starts August 23, 2021.
The curriculum consists of approximately 35 hours of online and in-person training over the course of a few weeks. The volunteer will be considered a official CASA volunteer when they have graduated training and have been sworn in by a juvenile court judge.
For the ones unable to volunteer, please consider donating. Here’s How:
• Venmo
• Donate through your employer.
• Leave a Legacy.
• Give Stocks or Securities.
• Buy a Gift that gives back.
• Amazon Smiles
• Donate by Mail. donate@nationalcasagal.org
SERVING EVERY CHILD IS POSSIBLE, BUT WE CAN’T DO IT ALONE.
Your donation makes our impact possible