Welcome Newest CASA Volunteers!
The fall OT class, consisting of 10 participants, finished their training on Friday, October 16, 2026. They were sworn in by Judge Adrienne McCoy. We are excited to see their journey start as they contemplate taking their first case.
🎉King County Dependency CASA Supervisor Announced! 🎉
We are happy to announce that Deanna Watson has accepted the CASA Supervisor III position (previously filled by Wai-Ping Li-Landis).
Originally from New York, Deanna began her career in the school system before transitioning to work with a dispositional alternatives program serving youth involved in the juvenile justice system and families involved with the Department of Youth and Families. After moving to Washington State, she completed her MSW at the University of Washington and continued her commitment to supporting children and families as an Area Case Manager with Big Brothers of King County and a Family Preservation Therapist with Behavioral Sciences Institute. Deanna joined the CASA program in 1999 as a CASA Supervisor at the MRJC and later worked in Family Treatment Court and the Seattle office. She has continued to be inspired over these years by working alongside so many dedicated volunteers and colleagues, all sharing a commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of dependent children.
We are very excited for her to bring her passion and experience to this next step in her professional journey!
🎭⚽ Let's Play! 🎷🎨
School is in session! Not just in the classroom but on the field and stage as well. For kids in dependency, seminal childhood experiences – playing a sport, playing an instrument, participating in dance, theatre, art – are too often out of reach. Sometimes due to logistics but too often simply due to cost.
Friends of CASA (FOC) is here to help. From program fees to equipment rental or uniform purchase, cost should not be the barrier. If your CASA child wants to participate but they are not eligible for Treehouse or have exhausted their Treehouse funding, speak to your CASA supervisor about making a FOC grant request today.
…and if there a pumpkin patch, corn maze, haunted house, or other seasonal family outing that your kids would enjoy with their parents or caregivers, we fund those too.
To learn more, visit Friends of CASA (FOC)
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National Adoption Day
Friday, November 20, 2026
12:00 - 1:00 pm
CCFJC Reign [2011] and Sounders [2012] Rooms
Come join the celebration of Family! King County Superior Court is teaming, once again, with DCYF and Casey Family Programs, to celebrate kids finding a forever home. The day will include face painting and balloons artists, a photo booth and raffle, as well as food! This will be fun for the family and all those professionals involved in the adoption process.
🍬🍫🍭If you have leftover Halloween candy, you can donate those treats, which will be used to make up goodie bags for foster child adoptees. Mark the bag as Donation for National Adoption Day and drop off at the CCFJC Resource Center (just past security screening).
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CASA Connect
King County Dependency CASA was recently featured in the Seattle School Retirees' Association newsletter, reaching more than 800 retired Seattle Public School teachers, administrators and staff! Thank you to CASA Volunteer, Mike Radow, for contributing to the article. Newsletter Link.
Do you belong to a retiree or alumni association, union, neighborhood group or other organization with a newsletter, podcast or other form of media? Your connection could create an opportunity to share information about CASA and the need for volunteers. There are several ways to get involved:
- Share a quote or reflection about your experience as a CASA volunteer
- Participate in a volunteer spotlight
- Simply introduce us to the person who coordinates the organization's media
- We can provide an article, graphic or digital flyer to make sharing easy
Bookmark the Facebook and Instagram pages for the King County Dependency CASA Program!
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📅 Upcoming CASA Trainings 📅
To view the event calendar and training descriptions, visit:
Attendance counts towards your 12 hours of ongoing training requirement.
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Lunch and Learn: Case Consultation
- Tuesday, 11/03/26 [12:00 - 1:00 PM] Registration Link
- If you have a case you would like support on, fill out the survey in advance.
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Domestic Violence 101: What Every CASA Volunteer Should Know
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Legal Skills 101 Training
- Friday, 11/13/26 [2:00 - 3:30 PM] Registration Link
- This is a mandatory training that all CASAs must take at least once.
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Lunch and Learn: Trial Preparation
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Legal Skills 201 Training
- Friday, 12/04/26 [2:00 - 3:30 PM] Registration Link
- This is a mandatory training that all CASAs must take at least once.
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Equity, Social Justice and Implicit Bias Training
- Thursday, 12/10/26 [10:00 AM - 12:00 PM] Registration Link
- This counts towards the 3 hours of annual Equity and Social Justice training requirement.
CASA Coffee & Connection
Two dates in November!
📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026
🕛[12:00 - 1:30 PM]
🍵Third Place Commons
📍17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
📅 Friday, November 20, 2026
🕛[2:00 - 3:30 PM]
🍵Boon Boona Coffee
📍1223 E. Cherry Street, Seattle, WA 98122
Join us for CASA Coffee Connection, an informal opportunity to connect with fellow CASA volunteers, share experiences, and learn from one another.
We’ll have a few guided conversation prompts and an opportunity for those who are comfortable to share their CASA volunteer story, including what inspired them to become a CASA volunteer, a meaningful moment from their experience, or what they wish others knew about the role through our digital "Tell Us Your CASA Story" form, physical pen & paper, or interview style with a CASA staff member. Sharing is completely optional, and we ask that volunteers not include names or identifying case information.
Details can be found on the King County CASA website events page. We hope you can join us! Please reach out to Sarah Childs at schilds@kingcounty.gov if you have any questions.
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Share Your CASA Volunteer Story!
Every CASA volunteer has a unique story. Whether it was what inspired you to become a volunteer, a lesson you've learned along the way, or the personal impact the experience has had, your perspective helps tell the story of King County Dependency CASA in a meaningful way.
We're inviting you to share your story through our new Share Your CASA Volunteer Story form. Your responses may be featured in program communications; including newsletters, social media, presentations, recruitment materials, graphics, and other outreach efforts to help raise awareness of our program and inspire future CASA volunteers. Some stories may be shared anonymously or with your first name and last initial. Volunteers who are interested may also choose to be considered for a future Volunteer Spotlight.
The form only takes a few minutes to complete, and we'd love to hear from you. Click here to get started! Prefer to be interviewed by phone? Please contact Sarah at schilds@kingcounty.gov to schedule a time.
Thank you for the time, compassion, and dedication you bring to the children and families you serve. Your voice can help others better understand the impact of CASA volunteers and encourage more people to join this important work.
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King County Superior Court and the Dependency CASA Program will be closed for the following:
- Veteran's Day - Wednesday, November 11th
- Thanksgiving - Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th
- Christmas Day - Friday, December 25th
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