together we will
CASA MISSION
To advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in the Jefferson County Family Court by training community volunteers and providing support throughout court proceedings.
CASA VISION
For every child to have the opportunity to thrive in a safe permanent home for the betterment of our community.
CASA VALUES
Courageous | Advocacy | Accountability
Cultural Sensitivity | Empathy | Respect Community
CASA of Jefferson County
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson County will provide abused, neglected or abandoned children with a highly trained volunteer to advocate for the child’s best interest before family courts in Jefferson County. Our volunteers will be recruited, screened and trained by paid staff. Our staff and volunteers will then work in conjunction with the judges, lawyers, and social workers to help ensure children receive appropriate care and support while navigating the court, child welfare, and foster care systems.
Volunteer training and
continuing education
continuing education
Public awareness
efforts
efforts
Legislative and
governmental advocacy
governmental advocacy
CASA of Jefferson County is 1/20 counties in the state of Alabama that serve abused and neglected children in their communities.
You can help Change A Child’s Story with CASA of Jefferson County.
History
In 1977 Seattle Judge David Soukup started a pilot Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to recruit and train community volunteers to speak for the best interests of children in the courtroom.
The Alabama State CASA network was formed on September 24, 1993. The first three local CASA programs were in Jefferson, Madison, and Shelby counties.
Out of that, CASA of Jefferson County was established and became a 501(c)3 on February 19, 2009, and incorporated on July 15, 2010.
CASA is a proud grant recipient of the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama.
There are many ways to support CTF. Learn more HERE!
Staff
Kelly Burke
Executive Director
A former practicing family law attorney in Maryland and a CASA volunteer for CASA of Baltimore County, Maryland, Kelly has served as a Guardian Ad Litem and an appointed pro bono attorney for juveniles. While practicing law, Kelly was active with the Women’s Law Center of Maryland, an organization that serves women by advocating for the physical safety, economic security, and autonomy of women throughout the state. Kelly served as a pro bono attorney through CHANA, Baltimore, which provides legal representation to people in the Jewish community who experience abuse.
Kelly enjoys hiking, live music and travel.
To contact Kelly, please email: kburke@casaofjeffco.org
Jasmine Branch
Program Director
This rockstar is about to head back to college. Thank you Lillian for tabling for CASA this summer. You shared our mission so well! We appreciate you!
CASA was thrilled to attend Peace on the Block 2026. What a positive day for our community!
Lauren and Lillian set up a table to connect with the community, share what we do, and talk about how neighbors can get involved. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, and to the organizers for bringing us all together for a day of unity and connection.
#casaofjeffersoncounty
Just received the August Birmingham Lifestyle! Check out our full page ad right inside the cover! Thanks to Kali for upgrading us and for always thinking of ways to share the CASA mission. Sometimes advocates need an advocate!
Interested in volunteering with CASA? Apply here: casamanager.com/volunteer-application-0220/
or
contact Lauren at lbell@casaofjeffco.org for more information!