Editor’s Note: For over 30 years, court-appointed special advocates (CASAs) and guardians of ad litems (GALs) have played a crucial role in protecting children. They do this by ensuring kids at the center of custody battles or victims of child abuse have a voice in the court proceedings that decide their future. Despite its proven effectiveness, the U.S. Department of Justice terminated funding for the National CASA/GAL program this month (April 2025). This loss of federal funding will have a devastating and far-reaching impact on hundreds of thousands of kids nationwide and the volunteers serving them. In this article, you will hear from these tireless volunteers and child advocates. We at Seattle’s Child urge you to take action to protect vulnerable children: contact your members of Congress and urge them to demand funding reinstatement for the National CASA/GAL program.
Like many people, I knew I wanted to make a difference in my community, but I didn’t know where to start. Recently it became clear to me that my own life and circumstances offered a direction.
In 2021, my husband was killed by a mentally ill woman. In the time it took to bring her to trial, she gave birth to two children. In my grief and trauma, I couldn’t understand her life experience or circumstances, but my heart ached for her children, knowing that their mom was going to prison. I felt helpless.
Having heard about Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), the dedicated volunteers who represent the needs of kids and give them a voice in the court system, I decided in March 2025 to take the CASA volunteer training.
I’ll never be involved in the lives of the children whose parent caused my husband’s death, of course. But I know that as a volunteer CASA, my understanding of the life circumstances that lead to such tragedy will grow. I hope I will make a difference in the lives of the kids I serve, and, in that process, continue my own healing.
There is a great need for CASA volunteers, and the work can be difficult as it may involve abuse, violence, substance use, sexual assault, or mental illness. I do understand the job will require emotional fortitude, but I think the work will be very rewarding.
[The Toughest Job: Speaking for children in court]
King County Dependency CASA
Dependency CASAs are appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of a child placed in foster care. Their duties include gathering information, facilitating dialogue with all parties, monitoring parent compliance with court orders, and bringing recommended changes to court orders to the judge’s attention.
Michael Griesedieck, program manager for the King County Dependency CASA Program, says the question of if, when and how a child can be safely reunited with their parent is utmost in mind in a dependency case.
“Our cases can involve allegations of abuse; the risk of harm and neglect is the primary issue in our cases,” Griesedieck says. “Neglect often stems from substance use disorder and untreated mental illness.” Dependency CASAs help the court determine what is in a child’s best interest as parents work to address risks and their underlying causes..
Bill McJannet has been a Dependency CASA volunteer for nine years.
“There are many times that a CASA is a key element in helping the child get what they need,” he says. “The big advantage a CASA has is that we can devote more time and attention to each child.” Check out “CASA: What it means to be the voice of a child” at Seattleschild.com to learn more about Bill’s experience.
Family Law CASAs
The work of a Family Law CASA is similar to that of a dependency CASA, but is limited to representing children in custody disputes.
Deidre McCormack Martin, executive director of Family Law CASA, explains the role: “When a parent files a petition in court for the modification of a parenting plan, and the court commissioner sees that this is a high-conflict case with other issues, they will appoint a Family Law CASA to gather additional information for the court to determine what is the best for the child.” This is the CASA role I will provide.
Rachel Caulfield has been a Family Law CASA for two years and now also serves on the Family Law CASA board of directors.
“The vulnerable children in these situations don’t have any power,” she says. “You are there to be the voice of the children, and represent what is truly in their best interest. They deserve a safe and happy home.”
[Behind the Scenes: What it’s like to be a 9-year CASA volunteer]
Becoming a volunteer
Both organizations have a rigorous training program for new volunteers. There is considerable emphasis on inherent bias.
Martin explains it this way: “Potential volunteers need to understand that there are systemic inequities in our society that create the conditions and trauma that prevent some people from being successful. The volunteer needs to understand it’s not a level playing field, and they need to help break the cycle so the children have a better outcome.
“It’s a vulnerable process for the parent,” Martin adds. “Our approach of humility, sensitivity and compassion is important.”
Griesedieck says more volunteers are needed. “We currently have 240 kids who are waiting for a CASA,” he says. “Our 200+ volunteers are only able to serve about two-thirds of the children entitled to a CASA.”
Family Law CASA is currently recruiting 25 volunteers to add to its roster of 120.
Bridging a gap
When I reflect on the person who killed my husband, we could not be less alike. She is a much younger, impoverished woman with schizoaffective disorder. I’m a middle-aged, middle-class, college-educated woman, yet now our lives will forever be intertwined.
I will still worry about her children, but in going through CASA training, I have become hopeful that someone else will be their voice.
