WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and a bipartisan group of 25 Senators are urging full funding of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in fiscal year (FY) 2017. This program is critical to the 251,000 abused or neglected children who have highly trained and deeply dedicated CASA advocates appointed on their behalf, and to the 451,000 child victims who are still waiting for the presence of a consistent, caring adult to speak for their best interests in the courtroom and in the community.
In a letter to the Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Member, Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Edward Markey (D-MA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and David Perdue (R-GA) called for $12 million in funding for the CASA program.
“This funding is critical to improving outcomes for every abused and neglected child, as was the intention of Congress when it enacted the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990,” wrote the Senators. “Children who languish in the foster care system without a safe and permanent home face diminished chances for success. Abused and neglected children often experience several layers of trauma and face multiple risk factors including juvenile and adult delinquency, homelessness, substance use disorders, mental health issues, teen pregnancy, and lower academic achievement.”
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or remain in inappropriate group or foster homes. In 2015, more than 76,000 CASA and GAL volunteers helped more than 251,000 abused and neglected children find safe, permanent homes. While funding for the program increased last fiscal year from $6 million to $9 million, the program is authorized at $12 million.
The full text of the letter is available at www.peters.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/160318_CASALetterFY17.pdf
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