FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kazia Capener
202-887-0007
CASA for Children of DC receives national grant to improve support to DC’s children impacted by the child welfare system
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 17, 2022 – CASA for Children of DC has been awarded a $20,000 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children. CASA for Children of DC recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. The National CASA/GAL DEI Grants support state organizations and local programs with volunteer recruitment among target populations reflective of the communities and children served, DEI initiatives that create a culture of inclusiveness and equitable practices and building of a more culturally competent workforce, including DEI training opportunity provision.
The National CASA/GAL DEI Grant will enable CASA for Children of DC to focus on expanding service to qualifying children in Washington, DC.
“We are so grateful to have this opportunity to strengthen CASA DC’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Enhanced training will ensure that our staff and volunteers have a deeper understanding of the historic and present inequities faced by youth and families in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, empowering change through advocacy and mentorship” said ARIKA ADAMS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of CASA for Children of DC. “Strengthened curriculums will also provide volunteers and staff with tools to confront their own implicit biases, enabling more meaningful and responsive relationships with youth and families.”
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.
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About CASA for Children of DC
CASA for Children of DC’s mission is to provide every child and young person in DC who has experienced trauma with a caring adult who will advocate for their best interests while developing a relationship of trust. CASA DC helps DC’s youth thrive, not just survive. This mission is carried out through the recruitment, training, and support of volunteer court-appointed special advocates (CASA volunteers) who provide mentorship and best interest advocacy to foster and juvenile justice youth in DC. It is our vision that every vulnerable youth in DC receives excellent advocacy and support to unleash their full potential and thrive.
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.