CASA of Talbot County

The nation's first Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program was created in Seattle; Washington in 1977 by Superior Court Judge David Soukup; who wanted to make sure he and other judges were making the best possible decisions about the lives of abused and neglected children. He conceived of the idea of recruiting adult citizens and training them to serve as advocates for children who came before the court as a result of abuse or neglect. In Maryland; the first CASA program began in 1987. CASA of Talbot County was incorporated as a private; nonprofit organization in 1990. In 2010; to meet the needs of as many children as possible; we expanded our service delivery area to include Dorchester County; and in 2012 we opened a satellite office in Cambridge at 300 Academy Street; Suite 201.A CASA is AFriend of the Court:The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)is appointed by a judge to provide the court with background information to aid in making decisions in the best interests of abused and neglected children. The CASA's goal is to ensure that children are placed in safe; permanent homes in a timely manner and receive all appropriate services while under the court's jurisdiction.Information Gatherer:The CASA reviews records; interviews the child and key individuals in the child's life (teachers; therapists; foster parents; etc.); to determine what is in the child's best interest. The CASA shares this information with the child's social worker and attorney; and then submits a detailed report to the court with recommendations for the child