The Hall-Dawson CASA Program was formed in 1989 and was one of the first programs in Georgia.  Georgia was the 37th state to implement the CASA concept as a result of Federal and State Law.  The Child Abuse Protection and Treatment Act (CAPTA) is a federal law that requires a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to be appointed in all cases of child abuse or neglect.  However, due to budget restraints and overwhelmed attorneys, Juvenile Courts had problems fulfilling this federal mandate.  From this, the CASA concept was developed.  The Georgia Code requires a trained CASA or an Attorney to represent abused children in court.  CASA provides advocacy to children who are victims of neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Connie Stephens was one of the first Hall-Dawson CASA volunteers. Connie has served as the Executive Director of the Hall-Dawson Program since 1990. As the number of cases grew in Hall and Dawson Counties the crucial need for additional volunteers and staff to assist them became apparent. In 1994, Connie was able to hire her first employee.

Today our program functions with an Executive Director, three Volunteer Supervisors and one Advocacy Coordinator. The office is constantly abuzz with activities. Our need for volunteers who are willing to invest in the lives of children always exceeds our roster of active CASA's.

We are affiliated with National and state CASA Organizations endorsed by the US Department of Justice, the National Council of Juvenile Court Judges, National Bar Association, State Bar of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia Child Placement Projects.

CASA STAFF
Connie Stephens - Executive Director
Cory Buckley - Volunteer Supervisor
Jennifer Moore - Volunteer Supervisor
Sally Patrick - Volunteer Supervisor 
Lisa McCarthy - Advocacy Coordinator

OUR ADVOCATES
CASA Volunteers are the heart and soul of our program. We could not exist without these incredible individuals. The time and energy they invest in the lives of deprived, hurting children makes an impact far beyond what we often imagine. See "Volunteer" for more information.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors for the Hall-Dawson CASA program plays an integral role in the growth and development of the program. These individuals assist with areas of program management, fundraising, and PR. Board Members serve three year terms. If you would be interested in serving on our Board of Directors, please email us at casaofhall@bellsouth.net or call (770) 531-1964.

2008 STATISTICAL REPORT
Since the CASA program began in 1989 volunteers have advocated for over 2500 children. These children were victims of abuse or neglect.

• Hall-Dawson CASA Program advocated for the troubled lives of 392 children, of which 205 were female and 187 were male.
  
• 70% of these children suffered from neglect due to substance abuse by the parents, 77% due to general neglect, 18% were physically abused, 20% were sexually abused, and 10% were abandoned.
  
• 148 children were 5 years old or less, 126 children between the ages of 6 and 11, and 118 children between the ages of 12 and 18.
  
• 235 children were Caucasion, 84 children were African American, 51 children were Hispanic, and 22 children were multi-racial.
  • 147 CASA Volunteers contributed 11,969 hours and drove 91,674 miles to advocate for these innocent victims.