Welcome Back CASA

Once again there is a Family Law CASA Program in King County. The former program shut down in December of 2002 when County funding ended. A core group created a non-profit organization, organized a Board of Directors, and launched a new program.

Family Law CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) take volunteers from the community and train them to act as advocates for children in divorce, paternity, and third party custody cases. Program staff supervise volunteers and assist them in report writing and appearing in court. The program is a resource for low income families who could not otherwise afford a private guardian ad litem and cannot often afford to hire their own counsel.

The Board of the new program consists of former volunteers, interested community members as well as retired Judge Larry Jordan and attorneys Alden Garrett and Mabry DeBuys. Ed Greenleaf, a former director of the county funded program is also a Board member as well as psychologist, Dr. Wendy Hutchins-Cook. Elizabeth Park is the chair.

Caroline Davis is the executive director and staff includes Jack Mahler, who is a veteran of the former CASA program and Family Court Services, and Gretchen Reed, who has a paralegal background and worked as a case manager for a pregnant teen program. Additional staff will be added as funding allows.

Family Law CASA opened its new office in June of 2003 and will start taking cases this month. The new office is located in the Colman Building at 811 First Avenue, Suite 201, in downtown Seattle. The phone number is (206)748-9700. The email is flcasa@speakeasy.net.

The Program operates solely from private contributions and grant funding. Local attorneys and mediators were generous in donating furniture, equipment, and office supplies. Donations to the program can be sent to 1561 NW 167th Street, Seattle, WA. 98177.