Key Milestones
The Court Appointed Special Advocates program has been growing throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky since 1984. We are excited to share a brief history and timeline of this progress, highlighting some key milestones over the last 40 years.
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1977
The first CASA program is established in King County, Washington
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1983
29 states have established CASA programs
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1984
The CASA Project of Jefferson County preliminary meetings begin. Judge Fitzgerald convenes a group to go to Washington D.C. to learn more about the program and to bring it to Kentucky. The group consists of members from the local chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women. The CASA Project of Nelson County follows shortly thereafter.
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1985
The CASA Project in Jefferson County and Nelson County are incorporated as nonprofit organizations. Sally Wilson Erny is hired as the first CASA director of any local CASA program in Kentucky.
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1986
The CASA Project of Lexington was launched in Fayette County.
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1987
44 states now have local CASA programs
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1988
Language was added to the Kentucky Revised Statutes ( KRS 605.050) with one line which allowed district courts to appoint a CASA volunteer to a case. The legislation was part of the volunteer probation officer statute.
Two more local CASA programs are established in McCracken County and South Central Kentucky (Barren, Metcalfe, and Warren Counties).
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1990
National standards for CASA/GAL programs are introduced. Number of CASA programs nationwide are at 412.
Comprehensive CASA-specific legislation is passed by the Kentucky Legislature. The authority for appointment, specifics on the CASA volunteer roles and responsibilities, and enabling legislation for the State Association are enacted.
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1996
CASA statute is amended.
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1990-2000
11 more counties are covered with a CASA program in the Commonwealth.
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2000
17 counties in the Commonwealth have a CASA program.
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2004
CASA statute is amended.
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2007
2,000,000 children served by a CASA volunteer nationwide.
600 CASA volunteers in Kentucky serving just over 2,000 children per year in 30 counties.
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2010
32 counties in Kentucky have a CASA program.
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2014
A new state CASA association is Incorporated, The Kentucky CASA Network, Inc.
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2015
Over 700 volunteers in Kentucky advocating for 2,500 children in 32 counties.
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2016
The Kentucky Legislature allocates $1.5 million in State General Funding for the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program in Kentucky, making Kentucky one of the last states in the country to receive state funding.
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2018
CASA statute is amended to include the Kentucky CASA Network Trust Fund.
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2019
1,313 CASA volunteers served over 3,700 children in 64 counties.
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2020
There are over 98,000 active CASA volunteers nationwide.
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2022
The Kentucky Legislature allocates $3 million in State General Funding for the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program in Kentucky.
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2023
The CASA Program now covers 94 counties in the Commonwealth.
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2024
The 40th anniversary of CASA in Kentucky and growing!
