#WeNeedToTalk: Casa/GAL Federal Funding Terminated

And what you can do to help!

CASA/GAL Federal Funding Terminated

On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) terminated federal grants to National CASA/GAL, impacting support for over 200,000 children in abuse and neglect cases.

What is CASA/GAL?

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Guardians ad Litem (GAL) are trained volunteers appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of children in the foster care system.

Reason for Termination

The DOJ stated that the grants "no longer effectuate the program goals or agency priorities," including "protecting American children." National CASA/GAL strongly disagrees, emphasizing that child protection is their core mission.

Immediate Impact

Effective April 24, 2025, National CASA/GAL must suspend all services and support funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), including subawards to state and local programs.​ The loss of funding affects training, technical assistance, and financial support to over 900 local CASA/GAL programs across the country, potentially compromising advocacy for vulnerable children.

Call to Action

National CASA/GAL urges the public to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to express concern over the funding termination and its impact on child advocacy services. Visit congress.gov to find your legislators' contact information. A sample message is provided on the National CASA/GAL website to assist in your outreach. For updates and more information, visit the National CASA/GAL official announcement:
🔗 nationalcasagal.org/national-casa-gal-federal-funding-terminated

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