Georgia CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

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Georgia CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

We support affiliate CASA programs to provide best-interest advocacy for children in foster care.

Appointed by a judge, CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers are child-focused, help improve each child’s experience in foster care, and advocate for a safe and permanent home when reunification with the child’s family isn’t likely. CASA advocates are citizen volunteers, supported by an experienced and knowledgeable staff member, offering

individualized attention and best-interest advocacy for children. The CASA program is the only model of this kind, built around one child and one compassionate, highly-trained adult advocate. Last year in Georgia, over 9,000 children were served by 2,600 CASA volunteers. Currently, 45 affiliate CASA programs exist in the state, serving 158 of Georgia's 159 counties.

08/23/2026

That's a wrap!!

The Georgia CASA Conference brings over 500 people together to up level our advocacy and celebrate the year's work.

Cheers to another great day in the books and a wonderful year ahead.

08/21/2026

The Karen N. Sibley CASA Volunteer of the Year Award is a big deal. This year’s recipient, Mary Starck, has served as a CASA volunteer for over a decade with DeKalb County CASA. We are so touched by her dedication and passion to support children in foster care.

Program Director Tara Daniels had this to say:

“Mary is a joy and a gem. Her genuine advocacy and unwavering devotion to the best interests is truly awe inspiring. She has been a calm, consistent and reliable change agent in every case she’s been assigned. We are so grateful to have her not only as a volunteer, but also as a supporter of the program as a whole.”

Congratulations Mary! We can’t wait to celebrate you tomorrow 🎉

08/19/2026

An Established Affiliate is one that radiates excellence in every aspect: volunteer retention, stability, visionary leadership, strong court practices, thriving community partnerships, and selfless service to children and families.

This year's recipient is Hall-Dawson CASA Program, Inc. Since the beginning of CASA's presence in Georgia, this program has led the way for positive outcomes for children experiencing foster care in their community and across our state.

Judge Amanda Dean shared this about the Hall-Dawson CASA Program:
"I cannot imagine how the Hall and Dawson County Juvenile Courts would function without the extraordinary support and dedication of the Hall-Dawson CASA Program. We encounter children and families at some of the most difficult and vulnerable points in their lives, and the Hall-Dawson CASA volunteers provide dedicated advocacy, compassion, and commitment to each individual case. CASA volunteers provide the Court with invaluable insight into the needs, circumstances, and best interests of each child, enabling the Court to make better-informed decisions and, ultimately, achieve better outcomes for our children and families. I thank you for recognizing Hall-Dawson CASA with the 2026 Georgia CASA Award of Excellence; their work is truly transformative and helps children move toward safer, healthier, and more hopeful futures."

Congratulations to this team for their continued intentionality, excellence, and dedication, bringing out the best for children and families in Georgia.

Hall-Dawson CASA

08/18/2026

The conference is another chance for us to celebrate someone who, though they are not a CASA staff member, board member, or volunteer, has taken the CASA mission into their own sphere of influence in a unique and impactful way.

This year's CASA Champion Award recipient is Jana Flatebo of Alight Solutions. Nominated by Juvenile Court of Cobb County/CASA, Jana has led an annual holiday gift program for the children experiencing foster care in Cobb County for twenty years.

Cobb County CASA Program Director, Mari Garcia said this:
“For approximately 21 years, Jana Flatebo, of Alight Solutions, and her team have faithfully supported the Cobb County CASA program by sponsoring CASA children during the Christmas season. Through their extraordinary generosity, they have provided personalized Christmas gifts for approximately 1,090 children over the years. Jana is the driving force behind this incredible tradition. She coordinates every detail from start to finish, organizing the sponsorship process, purchasing gifts selected specifically for each child, and ensuring everything is wrapped and ready well before Christmas so every child receives their gifts on time. What Jana accomplishes each year is remarkable, but even more meaningful is the heart and compassion she pours into every aspect of the project. Each gift is thoughtfully chosen with the individual child in mind, making every child feel seen, valued, and loved.”

Cobb Casa

08/13/2026

At each year’s conference, we acknowledge one of our CASA programs for their creative and intentional approach to CASA advocacy. This year’s Innovative Affiliate Award recipient is Atlanta CASA!

Fulton County Chief Judge Renata D. Turner shared with us what makes their program so special, saying:
"Atlanta CASA plays a critical role in assisting the court with determining the best interests of our children in foster care. The CASA volunteers' thorough, objective, and candid assessments of the circumstances surrounding each case provide invaluable insights for judges. I cannot thank Atlanta CASA and the dedicated volunteers enough for their service to the court and the families we serve."

Congratulations to the Atlanta CASA team for their continued innovation, commitment, and passion to bring best-interest advocacy to the children experiencing foster care in Fulton County.

08/11/2026

Board leadership is an important behind-the-scenes force for every non-profit. Each year, we lift up one community leader who has maximized their board role to bring out the best for a local CASA program. This year, we are excited to honor April Schueths of Child Advocacy Services SEGA, Inc, home of CASA Ogeechee!

Child Advocacy Services SEGA’s Executive Director, Julie Pickens, shared this:
“For more than a decade, April has been a driving force behind CASSEGA, including the past four years as Chair of our Board of Directors. Through her board leadership, dedication to trauma-informed advocacy, and expertise as a Sociology professor and researcher, she has strengthened our organization, advanced our mission, and inspired lasting change across our community. We are grateful for her unwavering commitment to building a stronger, more equitable future.”

Congratulations April! Thank you for your continued support of children and families in the Statesboro area. We look forward to celebrating with you at the upcoming conference.

08/06/2026

Change is an unavoidable part of life.
From children in foster care having to change homes or schools to changes in child welfare policy, the impact of change is something we help navigate every day.

As we continue to support Georgia's 47 CASA programs, one area that can experience change is local program leadership. Melissa Mitchell, Executive Director of Northeast Georgia CASA, is retiring soon. Our network and the Toccoa area have benefitted from her long tenure, and we wish her well in this new chapter.

Her staff, the new Executive Director, Linda Shadburn, the program board, CASA volunteers, and the Georgia CASA team are here to ensure that children and families continue to receive quality advocacy, even during this time of transition. Our Network Services Director, Dawn Charleston-Green, is always hands-on and continues to support this program and every CASA program in Georgia. ❤

The CASA network is made great by the many passionate, hardworking individuals who step in to provide consistency to children and families experiencing crisis. Together, we will continue to bring the needs of Georgia's children to the forefront across communities. That is something that will never change.

08/04/2026

We're in the Office with Lori Derhammer today!

As our Communications & Donor Relations Manager, she leads our fundraising, grant management, board communications, newsletter development, and so much more. Today, Lori gives us a peek inside her office space to share what’s inspiring her day-to-day.

Thanks for the tour, Lori!

07/30/2026

From Columbus to Rome to Gainesville to Stone Mountain, CASA staff are working behind the scenes to reach YOU!

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life. All that you need to get started is a passion to lift up children experiencing foster care by being a consistent presence in their lives.

Visit gacasa.org/grow to learn more about the program and find a local CASA team near you.

07/28/2026

A back to school update from our friends at Alcovy CASA 👇🏽

"THANK YOU to everyone in our community who has donated school supplies! Today we filled 30 backpacks for local children in need thanks to your generosity. And a shout out to our special helper from First Presbyterian Church, Covington, GA who helped us pack these bookbags in no time at all!"

Communities care about their children who are experiencing foster care and we see that in so many beautiful ways!

Reach out to your local CASA program to see how you can support. From backpacks to event support, your help is always welcome 💙

Address

104 Marietta Street NW, Ste 600
Atlanta, GA
30303

Telephone

+14048742888

Website

http://www.gacasa.org/

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