In 1988, Georgia CASA began as a demonstration project of Kids of
Georgia Need Volunteers, Inc. In 1989, two pilot CASA programs in Georgia were formed. In 1992, Georgia CASA gained independent, nonprofit status and began transitioning local CASA programs into independence.
Federal law requires that a Guardian ad Litem (GAL- person appointed by the court to advocate for the best interest of a child involved in a juvenile court deprivation proceeding), a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), or both, be appointed in all cases of child abuse or neglect. Georgia law includes “court appointed special advocates” and/or attorneys as Guardians ad Litem for children in juvenile court deprivation (abuse and neglect) proceedings.