Grants to help more kids

By Rosanne Lewis

Dallas CASA has received two grants totaling $142,693 from the National CASA/GAL Association for Children. The awards include a $100,000 volunteer recruitment grant and a $42,693 needs-based grant that will support the organization’s mission of advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

The volunteer recruitment award will help Dallas CASA recruit, screen, train and support additional volunteer advocates to serve children in the protective care of the state. Grant-supported recruitment efforts include community outreach, volunteer information sessions and marketing and public awareness activities designed to increase the number of trained advocates available to serve Dallas County children.

The additional needs-based award will provide flexible support to help Dallas CASA meet critical organizational needs and continue providing high-quality advocacy for children and families navigating the child welfare system.

“Every child who enters foster care deserves a dedicated advocate and a caring, consistent adult focused solely on that child’s best interests,” said Kathleen LaValle, president and CEO of Dallas CASA. “We are grateful to the National CASA/GAL Association for investing in our ability to recruit additional volunteers and strengthen the services we provide to vulnerable children in Dallas County.”

Dallas CASA trains and supervises community volunteers who are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of children living in foster care. Volunteers gather information, make recommendations to the court and help ensure children’s educational, medical, therapeutic and permanency needs are addressed.

For the past seven years, Dallas CASA has provided advocates for every child assigned by the Dallas County courts. As the child welfare system continues to face significant challenges, recruiting and retaining volunteers remains a top priority for ensuring children receive individualized attention and support.

To learn more, visit Dallas CASA at dallascasa.org.