Ohio CASA marks 35-year anniversary
Looking back on the history of CASA in Ohio and 35 years of impact at the state level
In 1989, local CASA program directors established the Ohio CASA/GAL Association, the state-level organization that provides support for local programs and spreads awareness about Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers statewide.
For the next 35 years, Ohio CASA would grow its own operations and focus on expanding the number of CASA programs in the state.
This work would not be possible without the support of state partners, lawmakers, juvenile court judges and local CASA programs.
The first CASA program in Ohio was launched in Lucas County in 1980 by Judge Andy Devine, making it the third program in the nation. When Ohio CASA was launched in 1989, there were 11 local CASA programs in Ohio.
By 1999, there were 28 CASA programs in Ohio, and 32 programs by 2009.
There are now 47 CASA programs that serve children experiencing abuse and neglect in 60 Ohio counties.
Approximately 2,500 CASA volunteers serve 10,000 Ohio children annually. Volunteers focus on their primary duties of providing judges with information about the child and serving as a child’s voice in court.
One of the mainstays of Ohio CASA programming is the ever-growing Celebrate Kids! Conference held in Columbus. This conference provides hundreds of volunteers, attorneys, social workers and other professionals with up-to-date, necessary training on child welfare topics.
The conference, which will celebrate its 30th year in 2025, also serves as an opportunity to build connections and strengthen the Ohio CASA network.
Ohio CASA also provides local programs with financial support, training resources, marketing assistance and other administrative assets.
“It is an honor to mark 35 years of service in Ohio,” said Ohio CASA Executive Director Doug Stephens. “I am grateful for every CASA volunteer, program director and community partner who has contributed to this journey. I look forward to the years ahead for Ohio CASA, as we work towards our ultimate goal of having a CASA volunteer available for every child who needs a voice.”
If you would like to learn more or support our work, visit our Mission page.