April 23, 2025
National CASA/GAL federal funding terminated
NEWS
SEATTLE, Wash.–On April 22, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued over 360 notices of termination of federal grant awards. National CASA/GAL was one of the organizations that received notices. 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.
The U.S. Congress, through the annual appropriations laws, has funded the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program for more than 30 years. 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.
The notices indicate that effective April 22, 2025, “the use of award funds will not be allowed for obligations incurred, or expenditures made, after receipt of this notice, other than pursuant to closeout responsibilities”.
As a result, we must take immediate action. Tomorrow, April 24, 2025, National CASA/GAL, in accordance with the termination notices, has to suspend all services and support funded by OJJDP to the CASA/GAL network to include subaward disbursements to state and local CASA/GAL programs across the country. National CASA/GAL is appealing the award terminations and in the interim, assessing what limited services National CASA/GAL can continue to offer to the CASA/GAL network.
The national scope of the loss of federal Office of Justice Programs (OJP) funding is described in the article below:
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”. We hope that you will partner with us on behalf of the thousands of children and youth across our nation involved in judicial proceedings related to abuse and neglect who need CASA/GAL volunteers to advocate for their best interests.
CALL TO ACTION:
Please take a few minutes now to contact your Senators and member of the U.S. House of Representatives and ask them to immediately contact DOJ to inquire about the award terminations and express their concern about the impact of this far-reaching decision to CASA/GAL programs across the country and the children and youth served.
You can find the name and contact information for your Senators and Representative here (https://www.congress.gov/contact-us). Your message can be as simple as the message below.
Thank you in advance for your assistance and your support.
Dear (Senator or Representative Name):
The Department of Justice’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect. The National CASA/GAL Association, together with its state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive. There are over 900 CASA/Guardian ad Litem (GAL) state organizations and local programs in 49 states and the District of Columbia. CASA/GAL volunteers are appointed by judges in judicial proceedings related to abuse and neglect to advocate for children’s best interests. This best interest advocacy makes a life-changing difference for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, many of whom are in foster care.
On April 22, the National CASA/GAL Association unexpectedly received Termination of Award notices for their active grants for the Department of Justice’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.
I am requesting that you immediately contact the Department of Justice to inquire about the award terminations and express your concern about the impact of this far-reaching decision to CASA/GAL programs across the country and the children and youth served. Thank you in advance for your assistance and your support.