ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
​We empower children, youth and young adults who have experienced abuse or neglect by partnering with volunteers to provide court-appointed advocacy and supportive mentoring to create lasting and positive change.
MISSION
​A community where those who have been impacted by the child welfare system feel safe, valued, and have the tools to thrive.
VISION
WHAT WE DO
Court Appointed Advocates (CASA) of Brown County was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2004 and is a member of the National CASA/GAL Association for Children. We are grateful for generous private donations that sustain and strengthen our mission.
The concept of a CASA Child Advocacy Program was created in 1977 in Seattle by the late Judge David Soukup, who envisioned the idea of appointing community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children under court protection due to experiencing abuse or neglect.
At CASA of Brown County, we recruit, train and support volunteers to advocate on behalf of children under court protection until the case closes and they are safe and thriving in permanent homes. CASA volunteers visit children regularly and submit a monthly report to the judge on the child's safety and well-being to help the judge make important decisions on the child's future. Many of the children we serve are living in foster care and their CASA volunteer is a consistent adult presence in their life.
We also operate a Fostering Futures Program, which empowers youth ages 11 to 18 with essential life skills and educational and career exploration with their CASA by their side and a Transition Aged Youth Program to provide mentors for young adults ages 18 to 23 as they transition out of care and work toward self-sufficiency.
CASA FACTS
The concept of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) was created in 1977 by Seattle Superior Court Judge David Soukup, who envisioned the idea of appointing community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children under court protection.
Today there are nearly 80,000 CASA volunteers in 950 state organizations and local programs in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
CASA of Brown County was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2004, and is a member of the National CASA/GAL Association for Children.​
We serve children up to age 18 who under court protection due to experiencing abuse and/or neglect.
​
​​CASA volunteers complete 30 hours of pre-service training, sworn in by the court and partnered with a staff Advocate Supervisor, who provides ongoing support.
In 2024, 150 CASA volunteers advocated on behalf of 302 children in Brown County!
CASA of Brown County operated a Marinette County CASA Program from the fall of 2016 through 2022, providing a total of 60 CASA volunteers who advocated for 103 children. In 2023, CASA of Menominee County, Michigan expanded to include CASA child advocacy services in Marinette County, Wisconsin.
​
We are grateful for generous private donations that sustain our mission!