I am for high quality advocacy for children.

In 1993 Mendocino County Judge Conrad Cox enlisted the help of a few local citizens to create a new program to look out for the best interests of the abused and neglected children of the community. By July of 1994 the Court Appointed Special Advocates was in operation, training and swearing in their first twelve advocates before the year was out. Since that time the volunteers of CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties have invested thousands of hours in hundreds of children in an effort to enhance their quality of care, and their futures.

CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties is a privately operated 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. It is a member of the National CASA Association and the Ukiah Chamber of Commerce. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and operated daily by a small staff. An Advisory Council was formed in 2011 to help guide the board and staff in expanding community participation in and support of the CASA program in both Lake and Mendocino counties.

CASA Board of Directors, 2011-2012		CASA Office Staff
Tanya Ridino, Chair	Lois Lockart	Sheryn Hildebrand, Executive Director
Jean Harmon, Vice Chair	Darren Jackson	Kimberly Smith, Program Manager
Tom Jordan, Treasurer	Shelly Mascari	James R. Haggett, Case Manager/Volunteer Supervisor
Sue Meyer, Board Secretary

Our Mission Statement:

CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties trains and supports court appointed volunteers
to be voices for abused, neglected, or delinquent children in the court system.
CASA relies on a variety of funding sources; however, it is donations made by private individuals and small local businesses that make the biggest difference. The Board and staff of CASA are committed to using its funds responsibly in order to gain the maximum benefit toward their mission. For the fiscal year 2011-2012, these sources include: the Administrative Office of the Courts; the County of Mendocino and the County of Lake; the National CASA Association; and the Eriksen Foundation.

Things turn out better when we all work together to make a difference. Whether you support the work of CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties by volunteering, or by making a one-time or on-going donation, when you partner with the CASA program, you are saying...

...I am for the children.