OJJDP FY 09 Court Appointed Special Advocates Program—Membership Services and Accreditation

The Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, as amended (Public Law 101-647), mandates that all abused and neglected children involved in dependency proceedings receive timely, sensitive, and effective advocacy. The Act directs that a “court-appointed special advocate shall be available to every victim of child abuse or neglect in the United States that needs such an advocate.” The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program ensures that abused and neglected children receive high quality representation in dependency court hearings. The successful applicant will provide information, technical assistance, and training to volunteer advocates who represent abused and neglected children in dependency hearings and to other child welfare system stakeholders at the local, state, regional, and national levels. This program is authorized by Section 217 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act, Pub. L. 101-647 (42 U.S.C. Section 13013).