Wisconsin Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (WI CASA) Receives $15,000 Grant from Department of Justice

MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Office of Crime Victim Services has awarded the Wisconsin Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (WI CASA) a grant in the amount of $15,000 to be used to fund the development of a Standards and Practice Manual. This award is made possible through a grant from the Wisconsin Children's Justice Act (CJA) Program. 

"Wisconsin's Children's Justice Act grant program is committed to improving the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect," said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. "This manual will present opportunities for improved systems coordination and communication between child welfare staff, the courts and service providers for children and families." 

The project will impact an estimated 600 abused and neglected children annually as well as courts and child welfare agencies in at least 11 counties and tribes that expressed an interest in the project.  It is intended to help integrate Court Appointed Special Advocate information in child welfare staff training and daily child welfare practice.  The project will also present opportunities for improved systems coordination and communication between child welfare staff, the courts and service providers for children and families.