CASA Receives National Grant to Benefit More Children

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region has been awarded a $37,000 Youth Advocacy grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. Funds will be used to help more abused or neglected children in the Pikes Peak region benefit from the services of a CASA volunteer.

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region is one of almost 1,000 CASA programs across the country that recruit, train and support 76,000 volunteers that help ensure that children who have been removed from their parents’ care receive appropriate services, have a voice in determining their futures and, ultimately, find a safe, permanent home where they can thrive.

A child enters the foster care system every two minutes, and currently there are not enough CASA volunteers to serve every child. On average, for every child assigned a CASA volunteer, two others go it alone. CASA of the Pikes Peak Region provided advocacy to 585 abused and neglected children last year, but nearly 300 local kids are waiting for a volunteer advocate.

The federal grant funds distributed through National CASA 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. They are awarded through a competitive process. In 2016, National CASA awarded over $4.4 million in federal grants.

CASA has upcoming volunteer training sessions in August and September. Apply now to be a CASA volunteer or contact Uriko Stout, Volunteer Recruitment Manager at 719-447-9898 x1060 to learn about other ways to get involved in changing a child’s life.