Start A New CASA

Starting a new CASA program requires a generous amount of time and a great amount of persistence.  The first step is to contact the Tennessee CASA Association since Tennessee CASA is the organization responsible for helping local programs start-up.  And, for a program to become affiliated with National CASA, it must also be a member of the Tennessee CASA Association and working with the state on its start-up. 

You might want to look at the local agencies list to see if there is already a program in your county.  Some of our CASA programs provide services to more than one county.

Before starting any CASA program the state organization will want to determine the answers to the following two crucial questions:

1.  Do the judges in the juvenile court in your county want a CASA program and will they be willing to help, within the boundaries of judicial ethics, the program obtain community support?

2.   Is there a need in the community for CASA advocates?  The primary mission of CASA is to advocate for children in fostercare.  How many children are in foster care in the community?  How many cases of abuse and neglect involving the Department of Children's Services come before the juvenile court each year? 

This is just a starting point.  Call the Cheryl Hultman, Executive Director of Tennessee CASA toll free at 866-498-1864 or e-mail a request to tncasa@bellsouth.net.