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May 17, 2022 Local 40-Year CASA Volunteer Selected As National CASA/GAL Association’s 2022 G.F. Bettineski Child Advocate of the Year Award

She calls herself a “CASA for life;” that’s one of the reasons local CASA Volunteer Carolyn Muscari was selected for the prestigious National CASA/GAL Association’s 2022 G.F. Bettineski Child Advocate of the Year Award. The announcement came in a letter to Carolyn that states: “The CASA/GAL movement is only possible through committed volunteer advocates like you, and we are pleased to recognize your commitment and dedication.”

The 40-year CASA volunteer will be presented with the award at the National CASA/GAL Awards of Excellence ceremony during the National CASA/GAL Association’s 40th anniversary conference. In addition, a $20,000 grant award will be provided to Eighth Judicial District Court-CASA Program for program-wide professional development for the benefit of all staff and volunteers of the program.

“We are incredibly proud to have our District Court CASA program volunteer Carolyn Muscari selected for this prestigious award,” said District Court Chief Judge Linda Marie Bell. “During her 40 years of advocacy, she has had a tremendous positive impact on the lives of so many children. She also inspires others and strengthens the CASA program through her work as a peer coordinator and efforts to bring in new volunteers.”

The CASA program, which is part of the Family Division of the Eighth Judicial District Court, recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to represent the best interests of foster children in Clark County. The advocates represent the children in school, child and family team meetings, and in court.

“Carolyn is truly Nevada’s treasure, a heroine of four decades to the children who need to be heard by those deciding their best interests,” said Presiding Family Court Judge Rebecca Burton. “With great admiration, we offer congratulations to Carolyn!” 

“The National CASA/GAL Association for Children is celebrating its 40 Year Anniversary and I can’t think of a more appropriate way to celebrate than with the recognition of our own Carolyn Muscari as the National CASA/GAL Volunteer of the Year,” said Family Court Judge Frank Sullivan, who presides over the CASA program. “National CASA/GAL has over 93,000 dedicated volunteers and none more deserving of the Volunteer of the Year Award than Carolyn, who has served as a Clark County CASA for over 40 years. Over the past 40 years, Carolyn has improved the well-being of countless children in the Child Welfare System by helping them reach permanent homes through her tireless “best-interest” advocacy on their behalf. As promoted in the CASA/GAL National Campaign to Change a Child’s Story, Carolyn has truly changed her CASA children’s stories by making a life-changing difference in each child’s life by providing brighter futures for them, which in turn, has made our Clark County community stronger. Carolyn is the epitome of what a CASA is and what a CASA should be, and I’m truly professionally and personally honored and privileged to have served with Carolyn in her capacity as a CASA for over the past 20 years. Congratulations Carolyn on your well-deserved “40 on 40” recognition as National CASA/GAL Volunteer of the Year!”

For more information about the CASA program call 702-455-CASA, or visit www.casalasvegas.org.

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