What is CASA?

CASA of Northwest Arkansas

CASA of Northwest Arkansas first opened its doors in 1997. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and are governed by a board of directors. We serve Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington counties.

Our Mission:

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Northwest Arkansas provides compassionate volunteers who advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. We are committed to ensuring a consistent voice, safe home, and promising future for children in foster care.

Our Vision:

Every child in foster care will have a fierce and skilled CASA champion by their side.

Our Values:

We value children above all else. In order to serve their best interests, we value commitment, compassion, truth, respect, and hope.

Arkansas State CASA Association

While completely independent of the Arkansas State CASA Association, we are grateful for the guidance and support we receive from them. Arkansas State CASA is a court-based organization located in Little Rock that is committed to helping create and support CASA programs throughout our state. Their mission is to foster a network of interactive, yet independent, programs that are well-managed and accountable to children’s needs. There are currently 25 CASA programs around the state.

To learn more about Arkansas State CASA, please click here.

National CASA Association

In 1977, a Seattle Superior Court Judge named David Soukup was concerned about trying to make decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without enough information. He conceived the idea of appointing community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court. He made a request for volunteers; 50 citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement.

Today, there are more than 85,000 advocates serving in nearly 950 state and local programs nationwide. CASA programs across the country are known by several different names, including Guardian ad Litem, Child Advocates, and Voices for Children. Since the inception of CASA advocacy, volunteers have helped well over 1,000,000 children find safe, permanent homes in which they can thrive.

To learn more about National CASA Association, please click here.


CASA does not license foster parents. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please visit Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services or The CALL.