Dear Friends
I am writing to share some important news with you: the National CASA/GAL Association has announced the termination of their federal funding. They are currently appealing the termination and assessing the services they that they may still be able to provide the network. While this news may be unexpected, it’s important to know that this will not disrupt or change the work of CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, nor will it disrupt the work of other CASA programs in Pennsylvania.
As you know, our CASA program is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which means we govern our own budget, fundraising, and day-to-day operations. We are not reliant on the National CASA/GAL Association for funding or operations, nor are other programs in Pennsylvania. Instead, we are incredibly fortunate and grateful to recognize our primary support is local – it comes from local foundations, local businesses, community support, individual donors as well as the state allocation administered by PA CASA.
Over the past several years, Pennsylvania CASA has taken steps to strengthen our statewide network. As a local program, we have collaborated with PA CASA on many of these efforts, including facilitating access to ongoing, online training and resources, data collection and analysis, continual quality improvement, and attendance at the PA CASA Conference, as well as legislative advocacy efforts. These initiatives are designed to equip local programs and volunteers with the tools needed to serve children effectively.
The role of CASA in Pennsylvania is also codified in state law, and we benefit from broad support in the Pennsylvania legislature. Since 2022, Pennsylvania CASA received state funding, passing much of it through to local programs, with strong support from both the Governor and the legislature.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. The staff remain here to support our CASA volunteers and the children whom they advocate for. In the last year alone, over 1,000 CASA volunteers advocated on behalf of more than 2,000 children in Pennsylvania, locally, our program served over 200 children and have already seen a 55% increase in new children served this year. That essential work—the work of our CASA volunteers and the work you support—remains as strong and necessary as ever. Together, we will continue to move forward.
Thank you for your advocacy and your support.
Gratefully,
Jessica L. Laspino
Executive Director
More information from National CASA/GAL and their call to action can be found here.
