National CASA/GAL Judicial Leadership Council advancing mission through workshops and webinars

The Judicial Leadership Council (JLC) of the National CASA/GAL Association is having a nationwide impact through recent conference and webinar presentations. We are so grateful for the commitment, expertise, and strong support of JLC members.

On July 22, Judges Sheila Calloway (Tennessee), Laurie Clark (Colorado), Valeri Love (Oregon), and Dean Stout (Bishop Paiute Tribal Court), presented on the topic of “How to Maximize the Value of CASA/GAL Volunteers in your Court” at the 88th Annual National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges’ (NCJFCJ) Conference in Chicago. The presentation was attended by over 75 people, and the participation was active and beneficial.

National CASA/GAL and members of the JLC seek to participate in the NCJFCJ conference annually. NCJFCJ is an invaluable partner to National CASA/GAL. Over the decades, NCJFCJ leadership and NCJFCJ’s network of judges nationwide, along with National CASA/GAL and the national network of CASA/GAL programs, have collaborated to expand programs to serve more children and families in need.

As with the first program started in 1977 and with the nearly 1,000 programs started since, judges have always been essential to the success of CASA/GAL programs. Not only can there be no program without judicial support, but a program also cannot achieve the full benefit for the children served without strong judicial support. CASA/GAL programs have benefited tremendously from the support of countless judicial leaders across the country who have replicated the model conceived by Judge David Soukup.

On July 25, Chief Justice Darlene Byrne (Texas), Hearing Officer Kate Lawrence (Pennsylvania), and Chief Judge Dean Stout (Bishop Paiute Tribal Court), presented the first of the 2025 View from the Bench series webinar, “Parents Struggling with Mental Health Issues.” The webinar was very informative, interesting and a real benefit to the 450 CASA/GAL staff and volunteers who attended. Another 350+ staff and volunteers registered for the event and although unable to attend, will receive the recording and presentation deck.

The View from the Bench webinar series recognizes the critical role that CASA/GAL best interest advocacy plays in assisting children, youth and families in the child welfare system who are involved in judicial proceedings related to abuse or neglect.

The purpose of the JLC is to strengthen and develop ongoing relationships between judicial officers and National CASA/GAL, state, and local CASA/GAL programs and provide input and recommendations to National CASA/GAL on ways to engage the judiciary on a continuing basis regarding the establishment, development, improvement, maintenance, and expansion of CASA/GAL programs. The JLC has 20 members from across the country who represent various geographic and judicial jurisdictions and bring significant expertise and commitment to their work.

Thank you again to all the members of the JLC for their incredible commitment to the CASA/GAL program in their home community and state, and especially for their work on the Judicial Leadership Council.