Child advocacy group receives $142K in grants

Children’s advocacy group Connecticut CASA recently was awarded more than $142,000 in grants to further its mission “to advance the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect,” the group said in a release.

CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates — was awarded $72,223 through a federal Victims of Crime Act Assistance Grant and $70,168 through American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to the release.

Officials said the grants were obtained “through a competitive process that included an extensive application, prescribed scoring criteria, data requirements, and letters of support from partner organizations.”

“We are grateful to receive these federal funds through the State Judicial Branch. Our handful of professional staff support dedicated CASA volunteers, increasing their numbers and adhering to National CASA standards on behalf of children’s best interests,” Connecticut CASA Executive Director Josiah H. Brown said in the release. “We encourage prospective volunteers of all backgrounds to join this movement. CASA volunteers help identify safe, permanent homes where children can thrive, along with resources for them and their families. We are enthusiastic about making this proven volunteerbased approach more widely available.”

For more information, email info@ConnecticutCASA.org or call 203-800-5661. To volunteer, contact volunteer@ConnecticutCASA.org.

Currently, Connecticut CASA is working in both the New Haven and Waterbury courts, and is “growing toward statewide reach,” officials said.