Every year the National CASA Association surveys both state organizations and local programs to get an accurate reflection of the structure, operation and services provided by programs across the country. In 2011, there were 46 statewide CASA/GAL organizations. The entire CASA/GAL network consisted of 946 local and state programs. This year’s state organization survey drew 42 responses for a 91% response rate. Link to pdf Report
Tag Archives: courts
State Laws Mandating That Every Person Report Child Abuse or Neglect
The Wisconsin Special Committee on Reporting of Child Abuse and Child Neglect asked for information about the child abuse reporting statutes in two states, New Jersey and Wyoming, that do not designate members of certain professions as mandatory reporters of child abuse, but instead direct every person who knows of or suspects child abuse to report. This Memo provides that information. It also provides information about the statutes in states that both designate members of certain professions as mandatory reporters and also require any person who knows of or suspects abuse to report. Link to pdf Report
Drug Court Programs Factsheet
A new factsheet from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs describes drug courts, in which court-directed programs aim to reduce drug use relapse. The factsheet highlights an array of multidisciplinary services, including risk and needs assessment, judicial monitoring and supervision, and treatment and rehabilitation services. Drug courts are tailored to address the specific needs of different populations. For example, family drug courts apply the drug court model to child welfare cases in which substance abuse is identified as a contributing factor to child abuse or neglect. These programs emphasize treatment to aid in the reunification and stabilization of families. The factsheet goes on to describe available DOJ programs that provide financial grants and other assistance to help States build drug court capacity and increase participation among the targeted populations. Link to pdf Factsheet
Substance Abuse and Child Welfare: Models of Hope and Recovery
The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW) produced a DVD to help States, Tribes, and communities strengthen linkages among child welfare, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and court systems. The DVD features the NCSACW’s 10-Element Framework: Elements of System Linkages and demonstrates strategies for increased multidisciplinary collaboration to better serve children, youth, and families across systems.
The 30-minute video begins with an introduction from H. Westley Clark, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, who discusses the importance of cross-sector collaboration. The framework is demonstrated through programs in Miami, Dade County, FL, and Sacramento County, CA, both of which have experienced positive outcomes. The video features interviews with service recipients, program directors, child protection professionals, dependency court coordinators, and more .
Bringing Families Together: Models of Hope and Recovery is available for desktop or mobile download on the NCSACW website: