Marin Advocates for Children

Marin Advocates for Children’s mission is two-fold: preventing abuse and advocating for the best interests of children. MAC has two programs: Marin Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Marin Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC). With our two programs, MAC not only advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children, but also works to prevent child abuse through community education and provides a "safety net" for children and families by reducing the isolation that is so often the cause of abuse and neglect.

In the late 1800s, the first legislation authorizing the court to enter a family's life and assume responsibility for the care and control of children was created for situations in which parents were abusive or neglectful, or children were delinquent or ungovernable. The basis for this intervention, and of all the laws that have followed, is that when a parent fails, the state has the legal power to substitute for that parent and act on behalf of the child. The laws governing the court's intervention have evolved over time, but through all of these proceedings, there is a presumption that the court will act in "a child's best interest."

Yet, how does a judge, with little access to a child and limited exposure to circumstances surrounding that child’s life, make a decision that truly reflects the best interest of that child?

Unwilling to make decisions about abused and neglected children's lives without sufficient information, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of these children in court. So successful was this Seattle program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act.

Today, there are more than 900 CASA programs, with 70,000 women and men serving as CASA volunteers in all 50 states, including 33 California counties. In 2002, CASAs helped more than 172,000 children whose lives are affected by court decisions. All programs are part of the National CASA Association.

In 1983, the Marin CASA Program emerged from a community collaboration of representatives from clergy, law, education, Department of Social Services, Junior League of San Francisco, National Council of Jewish Women, legislators, Foster Parent Association, and other interested community members.

In 1997, the CASA board, staff and volunteers grew concerned that the county lacked an active Child Abuse Prevention Council to educate the community about child abuse. Without a comprehensive community education program, we could not ensure our "safety net" for children would be used. The CASA Board began a two-part planning process that resulted in an updated strategic plan and a consolidation of the activities of the former Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) as a second program activity along with CASA. The Board of Directors adopted Marin Advocates for Children as the new name for its expanded mission.

	Marin Advocates for Children Charles Mead Executive Director Charlie brings more than 25 years of nonprofit management experience and wisdom to MAC. Since he became MAC’s Executive Director in 2000, he has increased total revenue by 50% and strengthened public awareness of MAC, CASA and CAPC though strategic events and an integrated public relations approach. He directed MAC’s successful preparation for an external evaluation of the CASA program by the Judicial Council, Administrative Office of the Courts. He has also focused on improving Board education and collaboration by instituting a Board Orientation process for new board members. Charlie holds a Masters degree from the University of San Francisco in Nonprofit Administration.
	“As a judge, I had to make tough decisions. I had to decide whether to take a child from the only home he’s ever known, or leave him someplace where he might possibly be abused. I needed someone who could tell me what was best for that child—from the child’s viewpoint. That’s what CASA does.”
	– David Soukup CASA Founder