The CASA Mission
CASA of the Continental Divide guides volunteer advocates who ensure a child’s safety, best interest and well-being are at the forefront of legal proceedings.
The History of CASA of the Continental Divide (CASACD)
In 1977, a Seattle juvenile court judge concerned about making drastic decisions with insufficient information conceived the idea of citizen volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. The program has grown into a national network of nearly 1,000 CASA and guardian ad litem programs in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
CASA of the Continental Divide (CASACD) was established as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in February 1999. Originally, CASACD served children in Summit and Eagle counties. Services then expanded to Clear Creek and Lake counties in 2001 and 2002.
Our first case was assigned in March 2000. In the first year and a half we provided services in Eagle and Summit counties. We began providing services in Clear Creek County in 2001 and in Lake County in January 2002.
CASA of the Continental Divide provides educational advocacy for the counties we serve. Truancy advocacy began in 2015 with the Summit County School District. In January 2020 we began our work in truancy in Eagle County.
Purpose of the Organization:
CASA of the Continental Divide (CASACD) is a non-profit that serves local children in Colorado’s 5th Judicial District, which encompasses Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake, and Summit Counties.
CASACD recruits, trains, supervises, and mentors community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of victims of child abuse, neglect, and severe domestic conflict in court. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to be a voice for these children in court and in the community. Each assigned volunteer advocate conducts independent investigations, is in direct contact with the child, and gets to know the child so they can represent the child’s best interests. In this way the child has a voice in the court, someone on their side during a difficult time that can drastically affect their wellbeing, safety, and future. The desired result is that children be placed in safe, loving homes where they can thrive.
CASA of the Continental Divide is a proud member of both the Colorado CASA and National CASA Association
Visit our Volunteer Page to learn more about becoming a CASA Volunteer Advocate.
