CASA of the Tri-Peaks

CASA of the Tri-Peaks: Giving Abused Children a Voice in Western Arkansas

CASA of the Tri-Peaks is a vital nonprofit organization empowering court-appointed special advocates (CASAs) to champion the rights and best interests of abused and neglected children in the 15th Judicial District of Arkansas. Headquartered in Booneville at 366 N. Broadway Ave, Room #22, Booneville, AR 72927 (within the Logan County Extension or courthouse vicinity), the program serves Logan, Scott, Yell, and Conway Counties, focusing on the roughly 236 children in foster care where only about one-fourth currently have a dedicated advocate. Founded in 2005 at the urging of Circuit Judge Terry Sullivan, CASA of the Tri-Peaks ensures every child has a consistent, trained voice in court proceedings amid the scenic Tri-Peaks region of the Arkansas River Valley.

CASAs—community volunteers from diverse backgrounds (52% full-time employed, 82% women, 18% men)—undergo a rigorous 30-hour training covering courtroom procedures, child development, sexual abuse awareness, adolescent behavior, and effective advocacy. Trainees observe dependency court, then receive court appointments to investigate a child's case: interviewing family, teachers, doctors, and caregivers; reviewing records; and recommending placements (reunification, foster care, or adoption) to the judge. Advocates monitor cases until permanency, helping children express their wishes and ensuring families access needed services. Outcomes are transformative: children with CASAs spend less time in foster care and court, enjoy better health/safety oversight, fewer placements, and faster permanent homes—equipping parents for successful reunions.

The organization's mission resonates: "A CASA provides the judge with a carefully researched background of the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child's future." As part of Arkansas's CASA network under the judiciary, it addresses rural challenges in areas like Booneville, where isolation can exacerbate family crises. Success stories abound through volunteer dedication, with calls for more advocates to close the gap.

Getting involved is straightforward:

• Volunteer: No special qualifications beyond passion for kids; apply via phone/email for training.
• Donate/Support: Contributions fund operations; "Friends of CASA" assist the board.
• Events: Annual Tea Parties (serving 250–300 meals), fundraisers, and awareness drives.

Contact: (479) 206-3500, fax (479) 675-2642, info@casaofthetripeaks.org. Active on Facebook (@CASATriPeaksAR) for updates, volunteer spotlights, and events. The site (casaofthetripeaks.org) details "What We Do," volunteer paths, and connections.

In Booneville—a historic town founded in 1828, home to strong community anchors like schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, health councils, and housing authorities—CASA of the Tri-Peaks embodies neighborly compassion near Mount Magazine State Park and the Ouachitas. By bridging courtrooms and kids, it fosters stability for vulnerable families in South Logan County and beyond, turning advocacy into brighter futures—one child's story at a time.