In the late 1970’s, Superior Court Judge David Soukup of Seattle, WA became dissatisfied with the status quo. He recognized that the professionals working in the child welfare system often had unmanageable case loads and were seriously over worked. This knowledge left him concerned that he was making decisions that affected these children with inadequate information. He found he could not walk away from the courthouse without wondering, “Do I really know everything I should? Have I really been told all the different things? Is this really right?” This discontent provided the catalyst for an innovative concept -- the CASA concept.

The Judge recruited and trained community volunteers to step into courtrooms on behalf of the children. These volunteers were called Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). He believed that well-trained volunteers, with just one or two cases, could positively impact the overstressed child welfare system and move children toward permanent homes with minimal anguish. The Seattle pilot program began in 1977; by 1978 the National Center of State Courts selected the Seattle program as the “best national example of citizen participation in the juvenile justice system”. This recognition, along with a grant from the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation of New York City, resulted in the replication of the Seattle CASA program across the country.

In 1998, 11th Judicial District Court Judge, Kitty Curtis, found herself asking the same questions Judge Soukup had asked himself. She, along with concerned citizens, formed a steering committee to investigate the possibility of bringing a CASA program to Flathead Valley. By 2000, the group had successfully obtained a National CASA Start-up grant and hired the first CASA for Kids Program Director, Carol Lee. The effort started small with just one part-time program director, no additional staff and a tiny office.

Today, Flathead Valley CASA for Kids is flourishing. We are currently located at the Gateway Community Center (the old Gateway Mall- west of town on Highway 2), we have a staff of three and a bevy of committed volunteers. Since our first volunteer graduation in 2001, over 96 volunteers have served more than 376 children.

You can help us continue making a difference in our community by volunteering and/or supporting us with a financial donation.