1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

The Department of Justice's decision to terminate funding for the National CASA/GAL Association is concerning, as it jeopardizes vital advocacy services for over 200,000 children involved in abuse and neglect cases across the country. The CASA/GAL program has been supported by Congress for over 30 years and directly aligns with the stated goal of "protecting American children." Terminating this funding will severely impact the training, technical assistance, and support provided to nearly 1,000 state and local CASA/GAL programs nationwide. CASA/GAL volunteers, appointed by judges, play a crucial role in ensuring the best interests of vulnerable children are represented in court proceedings related to abuse and neglect. Their advocacy makes a life-changing difference for these children, many of whom are in foster care. Losing this funding puts their well-being at risk. I urge you to take immediate action by contacting the Department of Justice, inquiring about the reasoning behind this decision, and expressing your strong concern over the detrimental impact it will have on CASA/GAL programs and the children they serve. This decision must be reconsidered, and funding for this vital program should be promptly restored to protect the welfare of our nation's most vulnerable youth.