Mission & History

Our Mission

Our mission is to be a powerful voice for children who have experienced abuse and neglect and are involved in the juvenile court system. CASA advocates work tirelessly to ensure that the court recognizes each child’s fundamental right to a safe, stable, and loving permanent home.

Our Values

• Every child deserves a safe, permanent, and loving home. 
• Every child has the right to be heard in court. 
• We provide ethical, high-quality advocacy. 
• We collaborate with courts, attorneys, DCS, and service providers. 
• We uphold equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
• We maintain a professional, respectful environment. 
• We value accountability and strong commitment

The History of CASA(Court Appointed Special Advocates)

​In 1977 a judge in Seattle had a problem. Judge David W. Soukup had to make important decisions about the lives of the children before his court without adequate information. Judge Soukup conceived the idea of training citizen volunteers to be researchers for the court and advocates for the children. He established a pilot program to implement the concept.

The idea spread and the National CASA Association was formed in 1984. It was created to provide advice and program consistency as additional jurisdictions adopted the CASA idea.

​Today approximately 1,000 local community programs exist all across the United States, utilizing the services of more than 70,000 volunteer advocates!

Tennessee law gives judges the authority to appoint a CASA advocate in abuse and neglect cases (TCA 37-1-149). The CASA idea has been endorsed by the US Department of Justice and the American Bar association, among others.

CASA programs were formed in Morgan and Roane counties in 2000 and in Loudon in 2009.

As of October 1, 2023, CASA of the Tennessee Valley has expanded with Cumberland, Overton, and Putnam counties. We are now the largest CASA in the state of Tennessee!  Which will strengthen each of our counties and reach more abused and neglected children in the court system.