Maryland CASA Expands Training & Services to Help Victims

Maryland CASA has expanded its training and services to CASA programs and service providers throughout the state to assist victims of child abuse and neglect.  This expansion was made possible with funding from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention (GOCCP) and the Gratis Foundation.  A Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant from the GOCCP will allow Maryland CASA to provide skill-building training for CASA volunteers and direct service providers serving victims of child abuse and neglect, enhance information & referral services to victims, promote public awareness of victims’ rights and available services for victims, coordinate efforts to provide CASA volunteers and staff throughout the state with information to assist in the delivery of direct services to victims, and to enhance tracking of direct services to victims through improved data collection and reporting systems.A Children’s Justice Act Committee (CJAC) grant will allow Maryland CASA to continue to provide training for CASA volunteers and staff, children’s attorneys, child welfare and other professionals to enhance their skills in working with children and youth impacted by substance abuse, physical, emotional, mental, and developmental disabilities, at-risk behaviors and juvenile justice involvement, as well as older foster youth transitioning out of foster care.  Grant funding from the Gratis Foundation will provide operational support to support Maryland CASA’s programs and services.“We are excited to build upon the success and growing popularity of our online and in-person training programs,” said Ed Kilcullen, Maryland CASA’s state director.  “We greatly appreciate the support of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention and the Gratis Foundation, which will allow us to provide the training, technical support and other services that CASA volunteers, staff, legal and child welfare professionals and other service providers need to best serve vulnerable children.”