History of Payne County CASA
The CASA programs in Oklahoma are statutorily mandated and serve at the pleasure of the Associate District Judge.
The Payne County CASA program is statutorily appointed as the Juvenile Officers for the county.
The local program started in Cushing, Oklahoma in 1991. Five volunteers trained themselves and were appointed to cases that first year. The board was unable to gain the community support needed to expand the program and moved the board meetings to Stillwater in 1995.
A new board of directors was formed and money was obtained in 1997 for the hiring of a director.
At the beginning of 1997 there were three active volunteers and one half-time director.
By 2000, 42 active volunteers helped 120 abused children. In 2000, there were three full-time staff and two part-time staff(1) director, (2) CASA Supervisors, (1) Administrative Assistant and (1)Communications Coordinator.
The Payne County CASA Association is a non-profit agency and is managed by a volunteer 20 member Board of Directors.
Funding comes from grants, fund-raising and donations by individuals and community philanthropic organizations. State of Oklahoma Ryan Luke Bill Federal Government - VOCA - Victims of Crime Act Payne County Government provides office space and utilities United Way - Stillwater Hearts Go Out For Children Fund-Raiser Kappa Alpha Theta - Stillwater Chapter Individual Donations/fundraising
