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Strength in Numbers
National CASA's 2010 Annual Report features accomplishments of the year, including the new Fostering Futures program that is training volunteers to help older youth in care succeed.
Read the report
Public PolicyIn addition to supporting a network of 955 CASA programs throughout the country, the National CASA Association advocates for abused and neglected children on the national level by working with elected officials and government agencies, and by partnering with other national child welfare organizations. Below is recent news about legislation affecting the children CASA volunteers serve. For additional information, see the legislation archives of the National CASA Blog. Public Policy UpdateTopics covered in the June 2011 National CASA Public Policy Update include:
Spread the Word: New School Lunch Act Provision Provides Free School Meals for Children in Foster CareChildren in foster care are now eligible to receive free school meals, thanks to a provision in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (319 KB PDF) approved by Congress in December 2010. Children are eligible to participate immediately; states may claim reimbursements retroactive to October 1, 2010. To participate, documentation proving that the child’s care and placement is the responsibility of the state child welfare agency (i.e., the child is IV-E eligible), or that the child is in a court-ordered out-of-home placement, must be provided to the local educational agency. Personal identification of students and parents should always be protected and released only to authorized representatives. Children who receive Medicaid benefits will be certified directly by the state. CASA volunteers, staff and judges should ensure that children in their cases are receiving the free meals for which they are eligible, and help spread the word among caseworkers, foster parents and others involved in the lives of children in foster care. The Child Nutrition Division of the US Department of Agriculture will partner with the US Department of Health and Human Services to notify state child welfare agencies of this new provision. Read the USDA memo (27 KB PDF) to their regional and state directors regarding categorical eligibility. Congress Reauthorizes Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)On December 20, 2010, President Obama signed the long-awaited reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. This legislation is especially significant for CASA programs, as it mandates that a guardian ad litem (GAL) must be appointed in any case alleging child abuse or neglect. The bill also specifies that CASA volunteers are qualified and trained to serve as GALs for these children. Read more on the National CASA blog. Related ResourcesPodcastsFacing Foster Care in Alaska: In this National CASA podcast, former foster youth Amanda Metivier and Alaska State Director Marion Hallum discuss Facing Foster Care in Alaska, a foster youth advocacy program. Listen using the audio player below.
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