CASA learns it will lose $1.7 million in federal funding
In the continuing resolution budget passed by Congress on Friday, March 14, all community project funding from the FY 2025 budget was eliminated, according to a press release from Oregon CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates.)
The Oregon CASA Network was slated to receive a $1,700,000 earmark to support programs that advocate for children in foster care in Oregon. CASA programs have historically received Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding; however, this source was eliminated in past years. The goal of the community project funding was to allow CASA programs in Oregon to continue serving children while also developing a more permanent solution to funding challenges.
“For our program in Yamhill County, this puts a tight cap on our growth and may negatively impact the number of children we serve this year,” said Sarah Johnson, Yamhill CASA executive director.
“The loss of federal funding puts advocacy for children in foster care in peril,” said Kat Hendrix, Executive Director of the Oregon CASA Network. “CASA volunteers do a very challenging job to advocate for children in foster care. They are trained and supported by professional staff members. Losing this funding will mean that most CASA programs will not have sufficient funds to support the people already doing this important work, let alone expand to serve more children.” Every 30 CASA volunteers are supported by one staff member. Each volunteer advocates for one child or sibling group in foster care.
“Losing just one staff member in a CASA program could result in as many as 60 children or more not receiving best-interest advocacy that supports their path of finding a safe, permanent home and their overall well-being,” Hendrix said.
Comments
fiddler
This is a tragic loss for foster care kids.
CASAs represent the child.
AAGs represent the State.
PDs represent the parents.
With CASA gone, the children have NO representation in court. NONE! How can a newborn speak for itself and express its needs? Without representation the children will be overlooked. For teen foster kids, this will result in a great deal of truancy because teens will not do something they don't agree with. Instead, they will run.
Really stupid decision on Musk's part (approved by Trump).
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fiddler
Deport Musk.
Bigfootlives
Nothing to do with Elon Musk, Go scream at a Tesla.
"In recent years, CASA has lost all of its funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)." Who are these villains, and why are they not brought into the spotlight kicking and screaming? And why is the state not paying for this?