Judge David Soukup of Seattle, Washington was inspired to create the Court Appointed Special Advocates program in 1976. The years following led to the establishment of the National CASA/GAL Association, and by 1985, more than 10,000 youth were served by more than 150 CASA Programs throughout the country. For more information on CASA at the national level, visit nationalcasagal.org.

By 1991, the Wayne County Volunteer GAL Program was established. Every year, our program serves more than 50 children in our community who have experienced abuse or neglect, and are in need of court advocacy. Children served by CASA Volunteers are half as likely to re-enter the child welfare system.