FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Erick Vaughn, Executive Director at Douglas County CASA
(785) 832-5172
Douglas County CASA, Inc. receives national grant to improve support to Douglas County’s children impacted by the child welfare system
Lawrence, Kansas – October 19, 2022 – DOUGLAS COUNTY CASA, INC. has been awarded a $17,100 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children. Douglas County CASA, Inc. recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. The National CASA/GAL DEI Grants support state organizations and local programs with volunteer recruitment among target populations reflective of the communities and children served, DEI initiatives that create a culture of inclusiveness and equitable practices, and building of a more culturally competent workforce, including DEI training opportunity provision.
The National CASA/GAL DEI Grant will enable Douglas County CASA, Inc. to focus on expanding services to children involved in the child welfare system from Douglas County, Kansas.
“This grant will provide funds to support and allow us to place increased focus on targeted recruitment through professional development and training, targeted relationship development, participation at targeted community events, and targeted distribution of recruitment materials focused on expanding and diversifying our agency” said Erick Vaughn, Executive Director of Douglas County CASA, Inc.
There are 950 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.
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About Douglas County CASA, Inc.
Every year in Douglas County, Kansas, an average of 163 children ages 0-18 are removed from their homes and placed under court protection for their own safety. Most of these children have experienced severe neglect or abandonment. Some of these children are victims of violence, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. They are confused, frightened and uncertain about their future. Douglas County CASA is dedicated to making sure these children get the attention they deserve. With the help of specially trained volunteers, Court Appointed Special Advocates, we advocate for the best interests of these vulnerable children. Douglas County CASA helps children find safe, permanent and loving homes. To learn more, visit https://www.dccasaks.org/
About the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem Association for Children
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children, together with its 950 state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who has experienced 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 families. To learn more, visit http://www.nationalcasagal.org
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