In 1976, Judge David Soukup, saw a recurring problem in his courtroom. To ensure he was getting all the facts and the long-term welfare of each child was being represented, the Seattle judge came up with an idea that would change America's judicial procedure and the lives of thousands of children. He obtained funding to recruit and train community volunteers to step in to courtrooms on behalf of the children: The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers.

This unique concept implemented in Seattle as a pilot program in January, 1977. During that first year, the program provided 110 trained CASA volunteers for 498 children in 376 dependency cases.

In 1978 the National Center of State Courts selected the Seattle program as the "best national example of citizen participation in the juvenile justice system". This recognition, along with a grant from the Edna McConnell Clark foundation of New York City resulted in the replication of the Seattle CASA program in courts across the country.

By 1982 it was clear that a national association was needed to direct CASA's emerging national presence. The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association was formed that year.

CASA has grown from that one program, and today there are more than 900 CASA programs in 50 states, Washington, D.C. and the U. S. Virgin Islands that recruit and train volunteer advocates to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA of Southwest Missouri began with one volunteer in 1988, and today has nearly 125 volunteers serving more than 200 children.

“As a judge, I had to make tough decisions. I had to decide whether to take a child from the only home he's ever known, or leave him someplace where he might possibly be abused. I needed someone who could tell me what was best for that child - from the child's viewpoint. That's what CASA does." - Superior Court Judge David Soukup, Seattle, WA