The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) model was developed in 1977, when a Seattle superior court judge presiding over a growing number of child welfare cases grew concerned that he lacked sufficient information to make informed decisions. Determined to better understand the individual circumstances and needs of each child, he appointed community volunteers to gather information and provide him with reports about the children in his court.
Dallas CASA was one of three pilot programs in the U.S. set up to emulate the Seattle court practice. The agency, then called FOCAS (Foster Child Advocate Services), was founded by the National Council of Jewish Women with funding from the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation. The first class of volunteers graduated in 1980.
Judges appoint Dallas CASA volunteers to advocate for the best interests of child victims of abuse and neglect, helping ensure children remain safe while in foster care and gathering information courts need to make decisions about temporary placements and each child’s access to educational, medical, and therapeutic services they need to heal from trauma. When returning home is not a safe option, volunteers make fact-based recommendations about potential permanent placements so that each child can reach their full potential in a loving and protective home.
Dallas CASA envisions a day when all children experience safe and enriching childhoods. Since 2019, Dallas CASA has been able to accept 100% of court appointments to Dallas County children in foster care. Over that time, with the support of 3,175 volunteers, Dallas CASA has served more than 8,700 children in protective care—providing consistent guidance and a reliable, trusted presence during an uncertain, frightening time in their lives. In 2025, 1,016 Dallas CASA volunteers were assigned to advocate for 2,340 children in protective care.
Dallas CASA is a charter member of the National CASA/GAL Association and Texas CASA. Dallas CASA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service agency governed by a board of directors.
Dallas CASA volunteer advocates protect children, restore childhood and help child victims of abuse and neglect achieve their full potential.
Dallas CASA needs more community volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and critical funding to recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteer advocates.
Dallas CASA recruits employees, volunteers and board members without discriminating on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, protected veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics and experiences.
Organization name
Dallas CASA
Causes
Youth & Children
Operating Budget
$10,000,000 or more
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, Other
BIPOC Leadership
Neither/None
Address
2757 Swiss Avenue