In 1977, a Seattle juvenile court judge concerned about making drastic decisions with insufficient information conceived the idea of citizen volunteers speaking up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom. Nationwide the CASA program has grown to a network of nearly 1,000 CASA and guardian ad litem (GAL) programs that are recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Judges appoint CASA volunteers to represent the best interests of children due to abuse or neglect. Each year, more than 600,000 children experience foster care in this country.
In most cases, a CASA/GAL volunteers stay with each case until it closes. The child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA/GAL volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.
Volunteers get to know the child by talking with the child and others in the child's life, such as, parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers, and others. They use the information they gather and submit a report to the judge overseeing the case prior to court hearings.
CASA welcomes people from all walks of life. CASA is simply looking for people who are committed and care about children. As a volunteer, you will be thoroughly trained and well supported by professional staff to help you through each case. Requirements include:
6 Local CASA Program Offices
Serves 37 Counties, 4 Counties as needed
1628 children received CASA services in 2019
348 volunteers provided CASA services in 2019
1st Judicial Circuit
115 E 11th Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Phone: 605.996.1212
Email: jackie.horton@mitchellcasa.org
Mitchell CASA1st Judicial Circuit
413 W. 15th Street, #108
PO Box 7017
Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: 605.760.4825
Email: southeastcasadirector@gmail.com
Southeast CASA2nd Judicial Circuit
100 South Spring Avenue, Ste. 140
PO Box 1901
Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1901
Phone: 605.339.9492
Email: stacey@siouxfallscasa.org
Sioux Falls CASA3rd Judicial Circuit
1215 Trail Ridge Road
Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: 605.697.6106
Email: casadir@brookings.net
East Central CASA4th Judicial Circuit
741 North 5th Street
Spearfish, SD 57783
Phone:605.722.4558
Email: kkelley@nhcasa.org
Northern Hills CASA7th Judicial Circuit
1605 Evergreen Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone:605.394.2203
Email: kehalatb@casaofrapidcity.org
Rapid City CASA500 East Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605.773.8459 (office)
Email: sara.kelly@ujs.state.sd.us
South Dakota State CasaThe South Dakota CASA, in collaboration with the National CASA Association and the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, State Court Administrator's Office is committed to providing leadership, support, and encouragement to the state's CASA programs that provide a service to the court that oversees child abuse and neglect cases and to the children involved in the court proceedings.
For every child in South Dakota to live in a safe and nurturing home.
Support success in partnership, welcome teamwork and cooperation, grow with knowledge and experience, understand uniqueness, and ensure transparency.