Congratulations to CASA of Los Angeles on winning the Lakers Youth Foundation November 2022 YOU Grant Contest!
Mission Statement:
CASA of Los Angeles organizes the community to take action and advocate for children and families in LA County’s overburdened child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Our vision is a Los Angeles in which all children and families impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have equitable access to the resources and support they need to thrive.
Funding Project:
CASA of Los Angeles humbly requests a grant to support the general operating costs of all our advocacy programs and services, which work to improve the lives and outcomes of children and families in Los Angeles County’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems. After passing a thorough screening process, completing over 40 hours of pre-service training, and getting appointed by a dependency court judge, CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) spend at least 10-15 hours a month for 18 months working directly with a child and their team to link the child to individualized services and maintain connections to their community of supportive adults, as well as attend all court hearings for the child and write focused reports to the judge on the young person’s strengths and progress. CASA’s efforts are focused on ensuring that young people exit the child welfare and juvenile justice systems as soon as possible, avoid re-entry and recidivism, heal and learn to cope with their trauma, safely return to their communities and have long-term supports in place for their futures. CASAs are guided by staff Advocate Supervisors – masters‐level professionals who ensure the highest level of advocacy intervention and efforts for each child appointed to a CASA.
Please check back in January for another Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant opportunity!