In 1993, the Garland County court system reported more than 300 dependency-neglect cases on its dockets, with the number continuing to increase each year. Recognizing the need for dedicated advocates for children involved in the court system, Juvenile Court Judge Vicki S. Cook helped establish Garland County CASA in January 1995.

A similar need was identified in Clark County, where Judge Robert McCallum and local community leaders established CASA of Clark County, Inc. in November 1999. That program expanded into Pike County in 2015, becoming CASA of Clark and Pike Counties.

Garland County CASA also grew to meet the needs of children in surrounding communities, expanding into Hot Spring and Grant counties in 2015 and becoming Tri-Lakes CASA.

In October 2025, the two programs united under Tri-Lakes CASA, bringing together decades of experience, community partnerships, and a shared commitment to children. Today, Tri-Lakes CASA serves Garland, Hot Spring, Grant, Clark, and Pike counties as one regional organization.

Tri-Lakes CASA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our mission is to recruit, train, and support dedicated volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. By working across county lines as one program, we are strengthening our ability to serve more children and families with compassion, consistency, and care.

Our goal is to ensure that every child in foster care throughout our five-county region has a trained CASA volunteer to provide a voice, offer stability, and advocate for a safe and permanent home.

Flock Together for Foster Kids

A Lazy River Duck Race Benefiting Tri-Lakes CASA