As reported in the August 2021 issue of this publication, Nevada CASA Association submitted an idea to the Governor's Finance Office on how we believed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars allocated to the state could be used to support Nevada CASA and its local programs.

In December 2021, it was announced that after receiving over 350 ideas from various nonprofits across the state, a special pool of state ARPA funds would be created just for Nevada nonprofits. A formal grant application process was announced, the Nevada Recovery Grant, and Nevada CASA submitted an application requesting $2.5 million to support its statewide efforts to expand its capacity to serve more abused and neglected children. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the state received 337 applications requesting $445,000 million. The number of applications and amount requested proves the devastating impact the pandemic had on Nevada's nonprofits and the true amount of funding needed to ensure that the state's safety net is properly funded. Unfortunately, the $30 million allocated to Nevada nonprofits will barely make a dent in that need.

As we all know, CASA programs were not spared from the impact of the pandemic. In the past two years, we have seen reductions in financial support and subsquent budget cuts, the elimination of positions and hiring freezes, volunteer recruitment and special events canceled, advocates not being able to see their children in person causing undue stress on both the volunteers and children, and virtual court appearance are just a few examples.

With this in mind, Nevada CASA is requesting your assistance in reaching out to your elected representative, members of the Interim Finance Committee, and the Governor's office to ask for their support in funding Nevada CASA. Our suggested funding formula has 70% of the requested $2.5 million being passed through to the local programs. These pass-through dollars could be used for such things as additional staff, volunteer recruitment, and marketing efforts. The remaining 30% would go toward a statewide community awareness campaign, hiring a State Program Services Director, and hosting a statewide CASA conference. All things that would strengthen and enhance our local programs.

The message we want to send to our state legislators is that when a child is assigned a CASA, not only will they be given a new opportunity for hope, but a CASA can help save the state money while strengthening the stability of children in foster care. Based on studies conducted by the National CASA/GAL Association for Children:

A child with a CASA will spend four to six months less time in state-funded foster care;

CASA's are trained to find and advocate for more of the services and resources a child needs, thus lessening the financial burden on the state;

A child with a CASA is more likely to stay in school and go on to graduate from high school;

A CASA works with his or her child to build stability which leads to better self-confidence. This in turn leads to a higher likelihood of that child becoming a more productive citizen; and,

A child with a CASA is more likely to move out of foster care into a safe, loving, and permanent home where they will thrive.

If the Governor's office recommends Nevada Recovery Grant funding for Nevada CASA and the Interim Finance Committee approves our request, funding would be used to:

Increase community awareness and understanding of the CASA program;

Expand its efforts to serve all 17 counties in Nevada;

Conduct a statewide volunteer recruitment campaign;

Expand program and training services statewide to ensure that new volunteers are trained as quickly as possible;

Hire a state Program Services Director who will assist local programs with capacity-building activities and support volunteer training at a statewide level;

Work with local programs to develop volunteer retention strategies.

You can find your local Senate and Assembly representatives here.

You may also share your thoughts with Governor Steve Sisolak via this easy-to-use form or with Deputy Chief of Staff Bailey Bortolin.

Receiving ARPA funding would have an incredible impact on the state's overall ability to grow its network, thus serving more children. We are asking our Legislators to not look at this request as a partisan issue but one that will better serve the most vulnerable children in our state who through no fault of their own have become a part of the judicial system.

Your support is greatly appreciated. If you have questions or would like a copy of the state's Nevada Recovery Grant application, please contact State Executive Director Jane Saint.