ABOUT US
Tri-Lakes CASA
In1993, the Garland County court system reported more than 300 dependency/neglect cases on the dockets. Each passing year brought an increased number of these cases into the court system. In January 1995, under the leadership of Juvenile Court Judge Vicki S. Cook, the Garland County CASA program was established with the mission to advocate for children in Garland County. In 2015, our program expanded into Hot Spring and Grant counties, becoming Tri-Lakes CASA.
Tri-Lakes CASA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and are governed by a board of directors. We serve Garland, Hot Spring and Grant counties.
Arkansas State CASA Association
Tri-Lakes CASA is completely independent of the Arkansas State CASA Association; however we are grateful for the guidance and support we receive from them. Arkansas State CASA is a court-based organization located in Little Rock that is committed to helping create and support CASA programs throughout our state. Their mission is to foster a network of interactive, yet independent, programs that are well-managed and accountable to children’s needs.
There are currently 23 CASA programs around the state.
To learn more about Arkansas State CASA, please click here.
National CASA Association
In 1977, a Seattle Superior Court Judge named David Soukup was concerned about trying to make decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without enough information. He conceived the idea of appointing community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court. He made a request for volunteers; 50 citizens responded,
and that was the start of the CASA movement.
Today, there are more than 85,000 advocates serving in nearly 950 state and local programs nationwide. CASA programs across the country are known by several different names, including Guardian ad Litem, Child Advocates, and Voices for Children. Since the inception of CASA advocacy, volunteers have helped well over 1,000,000 children find safe,
permanent homes in which they can thrive.
To learn more about National CASA Association, please click here.
CASA does not license foster parents. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent,
please visit Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services or The CALL.
IN LOVING MEMORY
Judge Vicki Cook
Tri-Lakes CASA is saddened with the passing of Judge Vicki S. Cook. She worked tirelessly to aid, support,
and promote the community she lived and believed in. Those of us who knew her and were recipients
of her kind and selfless acts will forever be grateful for those memories. She was a beautiful, kind soul.
Judge Cook is credited as the founder of our organization originally known as Garland County CASA. She
never missed an opportunity to talk to anyone who would listen about the positive impact of the CASA program.
Without her vision, Tri-Lakes CASA would not be able to be the voice of so many children in our area.
Her absence will be felt by all of those she touched and remembered as such an outstanding leader and visionary.
” A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.”
– Maya Angelou