May 10, 2021
SCAN of Northern Virginia has been awarded a $11,865 Loyola Children’s Law and Policy Executive Program Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children. SCAN’s CASA program recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect in Alexandria, Virginia.
The grant will pay for leaders of the CASA team at SCAN to obtain a certificate in Children’s Law and Policy from Loyola University. This program has been customized for members of the CASA/GAL nationwide network.
“We are thrilled our team was awarded this coveted grant to participate in Loyola University Children’s Law and Policy Certificate program,” said Amy Wilker, Director of SCAN’s CASA program. “As valuable nonlegal members of the treatment team, the information and recommendations CASAs provide judges has proven to have a significant impact on the outcomes of our cases. This education will enable our program to elevate the level of advocacy we provide the abused and neglected children we serve and contribute to policy discussions at the local, state, and national level.”
There are 900 CASA/GAL programs nationwide, including 48 state offices. The federal grant funds distributed through National CASA/GAL are provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice, as authorized under the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. In 2020, National CASA/GAL was awarded nearly $8 million in federal grants.
About SCAN
SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) of Northern Virginia is the only region-wide organization focused on preventing child abuse and neglect. We believe every child deserves a safe, stable, nurturing home. Keeping children safe and helping them thrive requires a continuum of prevention programs that engage families, professionals, and community members. With a core focus on the wellbeing of every child — and a deep understanding of the complexity of child development, abuse, and trauma — we work to empower the four groups surrounding a child:
- Families, including parents and other caregivers
- Advocates for children, especially for those already in the court system
- Child welfare professionals, such as CPS workers and educators
- Community members
We believe every one of these groups is on the front lines of prevention, and SCAN’s role is to engage and empower these adults to take an active role in the protection of children.
Learn more at www.scanva.org
About the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem Association for Children
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children, together with its 948 state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and have the opportunity to thrive. National CASA/GAL offers leadership and support to the network of programs and leads its continued growth. CASA/GAL volunteers and staff work every day to help change a child’s story. To learn more, visit nationalcasagal.org or follow National CASA/GAL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.