The Sioux Falls Area Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program seeks to promote and protect the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in court proceedings through the advocacy efforts of trained volunteers. We do this because...being a kid shouldn't hurt! We are a private, non-profit organization serving children involved in abuse and neglect proceedings in the 2nd Circuit Court in South Dakota. The Sioux Falls Area CASA Program was founded in 1994, when Circuit Judge Gene Paul Kean asked the local Junior League organization to begin a program. The first volunteer advocates were trained and sworn in by the court in the Spring of 1995. Since then, thousands of local abused and neglected children have received the services of these special advocates. During the last year, over 400 children were assigned to the CASA program as a result of being involved in the court system due to being abused or neglected in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties of South Dakota. Sadly, this number continues to increase. Our CASA program has a goal of serving 100% of the children involved in court proceedings in our circuit. Although, we have over 100 volunteers committed to help us reach this goal we continually conduct trainings to increase our volunteer base to be assured we can reach and sustain the goal of serving 100% of the children. WE ARE FOR THE CHILD!