FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andrea Bruns, State Director/CEO
abruns@kentuckycasanetwork.org
(502) 238-2154
March 27, 2026 – Kentucky CASA Network is grateful for the support of the General Assembly with the passage of Kentucky Senate Bill 17. This bill will amend sections of KRS 620.500-550, modernizing Kentucky law governing the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) network to enable local CASA programs and CASA volunteers to more effectively advocate for the Commonwealth’s abused and neglected children.
The House joined the Senate in voting unanimously in favor of the measure. KCN would like to specifically thank the bill’s sponsor, Senator Brandon Storm, for his leadership and support of the CASA program, as well as Representative Stephanie Dietz, who carried the measure in the House.
“CASA volunteers play a vital role in our courts by helping ensure the best interests of vulnerable children are represented throughout the legal process,” said Senator Storm. “Senate Bill 17 makes practical updates that help local programs continue recruiting volunteers and maintaining strong leadership so they can stay focused on advocating for children who need support the most.” Representative Dietz added, “This bill is an important step in continuing to provide children living through unimaginable circumstances a voice. By formally recognizing the CASA Network in statute, streamlining local boards to meet community needs, and updating program standards under state oversight, we strengthen CASA’s ability to protect children and ensure their safety.”
Everyday Kentuckians step up each year to advocate for children in their communities as CASA volunteers. This legislation will allow more Kentuckians to become CASA volunteers, while also strengthening statewide standards. “CASA in Kentucky has spent the last several years focused on the strategic goal of covering all 120 counties with a CASA program so that every child in the Commonwealth has a trained community volunteer to advocate for their best interests,” said Andrea Bruns, State Director/CEO of the KCN. “We applaud our state lawmakers who are helping us achieve this goal both with legislation such as SB 17, and with the investment of state dollars over the past 10 years to see this come to fruition.”
Please consider supporting your local CASA program by becoming a CASA volunteer, board member, or donor.
About the Kentucky CASA Network
The Kentucky CASA Network is the state association for Court Appointed Special Advocates, as recognized in the Kentucky Revised Statutes, with a mission to support the development, growth, and continuation of local CASA programs in Kentucky. CASA programs recruit and train volunteers to advocate on behalf of children who have come into the court system as a result of dependency, neglect, or abuse. In 2025, there were 1,395 CASA volunteers in the Commonwealth. Nearly 1,200 of those volunteers served 3,387 children throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.kentuckycasanetwork.org.
