Despite funding loss at national level, local CASA offices say business as usual

(WAND) — The national organization that oversees court appointed advocates for children has had some of its federal funding terminated without notice.

The National CASA/GAL Association for Children has been operating since the late 1970s and spearheads local CASA offices which are found in 49 states, including Illinois.

CASA/GAL said on Tuesday the organization received notice that the federal government was terminating grant awards.

"According to the notices, the three grants to National CASA/GAL are being terminated because they 'no longer effectuate the program goals or agency priorities,' which includes 'protecting American children.' Since that is in fact the mission of the CASA/GAL program, we strongly disagree with the decision to terminate the grants," said CASA/GAL in a release.

This loss of funding impacts the training, technical assistance and subawards to member programs across the country. Without these funds, the work of CASA/GAL programs across the country will be impacted along with more than 200,000 children involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings.

In Illinois, there are 31 independently operating CASA offices. CASA Illinois CEO Mari Christopherson said they do not depend on federal funding passed on to them by National CASA. "Last year, National CASA made four grants totaling just about 100,000 to programs in Illinois. And while $100,000 is not, nothing. Our total budget is about $20 million of that fundraising and state support."

Christopherson explained that while a portion of funding comes from the State of Illinois via a Department of Children & Family Services grant, the bulk of funding is gained through fundraising. "The remaining 75%, is raised the old fashioned way: fundraisers, benefits, golf outings, individual donations, corporate donations." Christopherson explained.

Locally, over 600 children in Macon County alone are served by Macon County CASA. Earlier this year, CASA of McLean County expanded into Logan County.

WAND reached out to Macon County CASA representatives who confirmed they won't be feeling this impact on a local level. Blaine Smith Executive Director Macon County CASA issued the following statement :

“As of April 22nd, National CASA has closed and will remain so until further notice due to the Department of Justice terminating contracts and grants. This will not impact us at Macon County CASA or impact our expansion. We are thankful and fortunate to have an excellent working partnership with DCFS as a provider of best interest advocacy. While much is uncertain at the federal level, we are very appreciative of the financial support from the State of Illinois as well as our invaluable community partners and independent fundraisers such as the Annual CASA Playhouse Raffle to ensure children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect have a volunteer advocate in the court and the community.”

Smith said that Macon County CASA has operated without National CASA funds for a while, and that the support from the community holds up the organization. "We've been fortunate that the community that we are in has has always supported us. So that gives us the opportunity to continue running," Smith said.

Last year, CASA served 59 of the 102 counties in Illinois.

On Thursday, the national CASA office had to suspend all services and support funded by the federal grants.

"We are marshalling every resource available to us to address this situation and strengthen our appeal given that our work as a network is in alignment with DOJ’s goal of 'protecting American children.'"

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