CASA of Jackson County receives national grant to improve support to our program’s children impacted by the child welfare system
(Medford, Oregon) – February 18, 2025 – CASA of Jackson County has been awarded a $38,765 Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association. CASA of Jackson County recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who are involved in judicial proceedings related to abuse or neglect. Volunteer advocates are trained to support children through regular visits, information gathering, court reporting and continuous case monitoring until the child/youth has a permanent home, preferably with their family of origin whenever safely possible.
The National CASA/GAL Needs Based Grant will enable CASA of Jackson County to focus on maintaining services to children while we work collaboratively to reinstate funding lost from Victims of Crime Act federal funding.
“The funding from the National CASA Association came at a critical time for our program and was offered to support a bridge between the loss of federal Victims of Crime Act funding and an anticipated reinstatement of those funds. These funds allow us to continue our program operations on behalf of over 615 local children and for that, we are truly grateful” states Jennifer Mylenek, Executive Director.
There are 941 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.
###
About the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem Association
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association, together with its 941 state and local program members, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who is involved in judicial proceedings related to 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 to strengthen and support families. To learn more, visit nationalcasagal.org.
