1986–2026 • CASA ESSEX
A living history of showing up.
Forty years of determined people, stronger systems, and advocates who made sure children were never left to navigate alone.
CHAPTER 01 • 1986–1999
A promise takes root.
1986
CASA Essex is founded
The Junior League of Montclair-Newark and the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex Section establish CASA Essex.
1987
A gift that sustains
The Prudential Foundation’s 125th Anniversary Fund makes its capstone gift to the CASA Endowment Fund Project, sustaining the organization through 2000.
1987
The first advocate is sworn in
CASA Essex’s first volunteer advocate takes the oath, and the first case is assigned.
1990
A national standard
Congress passes the Victims of Child Abuse Act, declaring that every child victim of abuse or neglect should have access to a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
1990
The model is proven
National research finds the CASA model effective and recommends assigning advocates earlier, before case disposition.
1995
New leadership
Caroline Jacobus begins her service as CASA Essex’s second Executive Director.
1996
A new home
CASA Essex moves from 470 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to 212 Washington Street.
1997
Border Baby Initiative launches
The initiative launches with support from the NBI Healthcare Foundation.
1999
Endowment established
The Francis L. and Edwin L. Cummings Memorial Fund supports the establishment of CASA Essex’s Endowment.
CHAPTER 02 • 2001–2009
The model grows deeper.
2001
Protocols expand
New Jersey implements the full Adoption and Safe Families Act provisions, changing CASA protocols and expanding the time advocates are assigned to a case.
2005
Education advocacy breaks new ground
Judge Glenn Grant creates a first-of-its-kind appointment allowing CASA Essex advocates to serve as Limited Guardians for Educational Purposes.
2006
Twenty years celebrated
CASA Essex marks two decades of advocacy with a gala at Mayfair Farms in West Orange.
2007
A grant for 140 children
The first Orange Orphan Society grant funds advocacy for 140 children, beginning more than 19 years of support.
2008
Mentorship takes root
CASA Essex begins pioneering advocacy-mentorship work, adopting a United Way mentoring methodology.
2009
Healthcare advocacy begins
Responding to a crisis in health outcomes for children in care, CASA Essex establishes its Healthcare Advocacy Initiative.
2009
The CASA role enters state law
New Jersey codifies the advocate role as a trained, screened, and supervised community volunteer meeting state and national standards.
CHAPTER 03 • 2010–2017
Every child’s voice, further amplified.
2010
Fostering Futures pilot
CASA Essex is chosen as one of eight programs nationwide to pilot National CASA’s Fostering Futures advocacy-mentorship initiative.
2011
Undoing Racism training
With support from the Schumann Fund, CASA Essex brings Undoing Racism immersion training to the Essex County Model Court.
2013
Powerful Voice Society
The Powerful Voice Society is inaugurated, supporting advocacy for 124 youth.
2013
Healthcare advocacy goes statewide
CASA Essex’s healthcare advocacy model and curriculum become mandatory for every New Jersey CASA program.
2014
A national inclusion award
CASA Essex receives the National CASA Association Inclusion Award, recognizing a corps of 236 advocates as diverse as the children served.
2015
Family Search & Connect
Family Search & Connect is designed to find durable, positive personal connections for youth aging out of foster care.
2016
Enhanced advocacy for early childhood
A pilot program launches for infancy and early childhood, with focused support for youth from birth through age five.
2017
A legacy of leadership
Karen Burns, CASA Essex’s third Executive Director, concludes her 15-year tenure.
CHAPTER 04 • 2020–2026
The promise continues.
2020
New leadership in an unprecedented year
Marla Higginbotham becomes the fifth Executive Director of CASA Essex.
2021
Advocates connect remotely
CASA Essex’s first remote volunteer advocate cohort is sworn in during the COVID era.
2024
A tree for every advocate
CASA Essex sponsors cherry blossom tree #3718 in Branch Brook Park, honoring advocates’ commitment to the youth they serve.
2025
A courthouse address
CASA Essex moves to the Wynona Lipman Family Courthouse.
2026
Four decades, one child at a time
CASA Essex celebrates 40 years of advocacy and continues to build a future where every child is heard.
LOOKING FORWARD
Still showing up. Still moving forward.
Forty years in, the work remains personal: one child, one advocate, one lasting promise at a time.