Court Appointed Special Advocates of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties (CASA SHaW) recently received $117,770 in state legislative funding through a pass-through grant from CASA of New Jersey. This funding will enable the program to not only continue to serve the children currently appointed an advocate but will also enable the expansion of services to other children in need. CASA SHaW provided 106 advocates in court for 215 children who had been abused or neglected during the last fiscal year.

"We at CASA SHaW are deeply grateful to both CASA of New Jersey and the State Legislature for their provision of this vital funding which will enable us to continue to serve this most vulnerable population," says Tracey Heisler, CASA SHaW's executive director. "It is our goal to be able to provide an advocate in court for every child in foster care, and these funds will help us as we recruit and train new advocates to serve as a voice for abused and neglected children in our community."

CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties is part of a statewide network of community-based, non-profit programs that recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers to "Speak Up for a Child" removed from home due to abuse or neglect. Members of the public who are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer or who want more information can visit www.casashaw.org for this local program or www.casaofnj.org for other programs statewide. CASA is the only program in New Jersey that uses trained volunteers to work one-on-one with children, ensuring that each one gets the services needed and achieves permanency in a safe, nurturing home.

Submitted by CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren