April 10th, 2023 – CASA of West Central Illinois has been awarded a $30,510 Growth Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children. CASA of West Central Illinois recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Grants will support the following activities:
- program development in counties where a program does not exist;
- program expansion directly adjacent to or in close proximity to counties that require CASA/GAL services;
- addressing gaps in service and increasing capacity;
- capacity building to serve 100% of the children;
- hiring of a state coordinator in states without a state organization or state director.
The National CASA/GAL Growth Grant will enable CASA of West Central Illinois to focus on expanding service to qualifying children in Knox, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough Counties.
“We are thrilled to have been awarded this amazing grant from National CASA. This funding will allow us to further our recruitment and training efforts in all four counties we serve. Our ultimate goal is to serve 100% of children in foster care in need of CASA representation and advocacy, and this grant will allow us to reach that goal more quickly. There are more than 200 children in our communities who have experience abuse or neglect, and who are still in need of a CASA volunteer. The need for more volunteer advocates is great, but as a community we can change a child’s life forever, for the better.”, said Kelly Corbin, Executive Director, CASA of West Central Illinois.
There are 950 CASA/GAL state organizations and local programs operating in 49 states and the District of Columbia. This funding is provided under the OJJDP FY2021 VOCA Children’s Advocacy National Subgrant Program (CFDA #16.756) to manage a national grant awards program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) primarily for the purpose of increasing the number Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are the subject of civil court child abuse and neglect proceedings. National CASA/GAL administers the grants program under a cooperative agreement with OJJDP which is authorized pursuant to the Victims of Child Abuse Act, 34 USC §20323.
CASA of West Central Illinois
CASA of West Central Illinois’ mission is to speak up for and support the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court systems. CASA of West Central Illinois proudly serves children in the foster care system in Knox, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough, Illinois Counties.
About the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem Association for Children
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children, together with its 950 state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and have the opportunity to thrive. National CASA/GAL offers leadership and support to the network of programs and leads its continued growth. CASA/GAL volunteers and staff work every day to advocate for children, youth and families. To learn more, visit nationalcasagal.org.
***Courtesy of CASA of West Central Illinois***
