Passaic County CASA Receives National Grant to
Benefit More Local Children
Wayne, NJ- Passaic County CASA, based in Wayne and Paterson, NJ has been awarded a $35,500 Youth Advocacy Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. Funds will be used to increase the number of abused or neglected children in Passaic County who have a CASA volunteer helping them find a safe, permanent home where they can thrive.
Passaic County CASA is one of 951 CASA and volunteer guardian ad litem programs across the country. The program recruits, trains and supports volunteers who ensure that children who have been removed from their parents’ care receive appropriate services and have a voice in determining their futures.
In 2014, National CASA is awarding a total of $3.92 million in federal grants to help CASA programs recruit needed volunteers.
“Every two minutes, a child enters the foster care system. 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.” says Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association. “We are working in partnership with our programs toward the day that every child in need has a CASA volunteer standing by her side.”
The federal grant funds distributed through National CASA are provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), US Department of Justice, as authorized under the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. They are awarded through a competitive process.
Passaic County CASA is holding its next volunteer training in late September. For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer or other ways to get involved in changing a child’s life, contact the CASA office at 973-832-4002 or visit www.passaiccountycasa.org
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