The Bill Spill

Take Action Now: Help Increase Funding for CASA Programs in Virginia

There are 27 CASA programs serving abused and neglected infants, children, and youth across Virginia. Yet state funding has remained unchanged since 2008. As more children enter the child welfare system, programs are stretched thin and face ongoing challenges in providing a dedicated advocate for every child in need.

Last year, more than 3,400 children in Virginia faced the child welfare system without a CASA due to limited capacity. You can help change that. 

Contact your state representatives and urge them to support the bipartisan budget proposal to increase funding for CASA programs in Virginia. Together, we can ensure no child stands alone.

Find your state representative: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

VA House Bill 73

Virginia House Delegate Joshua G. Cole introduced an amendment that would extend who can file petitions for relief of care and custody to include custodians. Under current law, only parents are permitted to file these petitions. The proposed bill would require custodians to cooperate with services provided by the Department of Social Services upon the opening of an initial investigation.

VA Senate Bill 119

Virginia State Senator Jennifer D. Carroll Foy introduced a bill to launch a pilot program aimed at making childcare more affordable for working families. It would establish the Employee Child Care Assistance Pilot Program, which provides state matching funds to incentivize employers to contribute toward the cost of childcare for their employees. The program will be implemented and administered by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.

For more information on legislation impacting children and the child welfare system in Virginia, visit vakids.org.

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