Washington DC – February 12, 2020 – CASA DC has been awarded a $4,489 Professional Development Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children. CASA DC recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
The grant will pay for coursework and other costs leaders would otherwise incur to develop the skills to better serve children who have a CASA/GAL advocate.
“The Professional Development grant will provide CASA for Children of DC with a vital opportunity to enhance our staff’s skill set. It is our utmost goal to provide the strongest possible support to court-involved youth through volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates. Our staff serves to coach and guide the work of CASA volunteers, which is strengthened through ongoing training and development.” said Arika Orozco, Executive Director of CASA for Children of DC. “We are particularly grateful for the opportunity to expand our knowledge in the area of Inclusivity and Diversity, in addition to Volunteer Management and Recruitment support.”
There are 950 CASA/GAL programs nationwide, including 45 state offices. The federal grant funds distributed through National CASA/GAL are provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, US Department of Justice, as authorized under the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. In 2018, National CASA/GAL was awarded nearly $10 million in federal grants.
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About: CASA for Children of DC is a leading voice in advocacy for court-involved youth in the District of Columbia. CASA DC connects specially-trained volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates to support vulnerable and at-risk youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system. CASAs develop a mentor-like relationship with their youth and advocate for their youth’s best interests in Court, promoting greater outcomes and the opportunity to thrive.For more information, visit www.casadc.org
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