Government Agencies

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

CASA programs enjoy broad, bipartisan support in the US Congress. Through the Victims of Child Abuse Act, Congress authorizes funding to ensure that a CASA volunteer is available to victims of child abuse or neglect.

The United States Department of Justice, through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, provides national leadership, coordination and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. OJJDP sponsors research, program and training initiatives; develops priorities and goals, and sets policies to guide federal juvenile justice issues; disseminates information about juvenile justice issues; and awards funds to support local programming.

Through the Victims of Child Abuse Act, authorized by Congress, National CASA has an agreement to award and administer OJJDP funds to state and local CASA programs to create new CASA programs, expand existing ones and develop better statewide organizations to help local programs build capacity. OJJDP funding also supports the training and technical assistance that National CASA provides to state and local CASA programs, helping to ensure quality program operations and strong advocacy services for children. In 1991 it named CASA advocacy an Exemplary National Program in Juvenile Delinquency Prevention.

Office for Victims of Crime

CASA programs also benefit from the support of the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice. OVC funds help provide volunteer advocates for children involved with tribal courts as a result of abuse or neglect and support CASA program development and volunteer training in underserved areas.