The Pew report also states that “CASA is a proven means of strengthening the voice of children in dependency courts. We urge states and private organizations, many of whom have already provided substantial support to their local CASA programs, to join Congress as partners in this important effort to expand the program to underserved jurisdictions.” This is a powerful endorsement of our mission and our volunteers’ advocacy for children.

The recommendation for CASA is one of several to strengthen courts that hear the cases of abused and neglected children. The Commission also recommends better data collection and management by the courts, multi-disciplinary training for personnel working with children, increased opportunity for parents to participate in the proceedings, and incentives to attract attorneys to this area of practice. The Commission further recommends that state Chief Justices and state court administrators should exercise leadership in implementing the recommendations.

Federal funding for child welfare services was another area the Commission reviewed and provided suggestions for improvements. The Commission recommends combining several current federal revenue streams into a single state grant program. Funding would increase 2% each year, in addition to keeping up with the rate of inflation. States would still be required to match the federal grant funds, and they would have greater flexibility to expend the monies as they deem necessary for prevention and foster care services.

The Pew Commission was launched in May 2003 with the support of the Pew Charitable Trusts to the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute. The Commission’s charge is to develop recommendations to improve outcomes for children in the foster care system, particularly to expedite the movement of children from foster care into safe, permanent, nurturing families, and prevent unnecessary placements in foster care. The Commission’s report and executive summary are available online at www.pew-fostercare.org. The Commission is chaired by former Congressman Bill Frenzel, with former Congressman William Gray as Vice Chairman. National CASA Board Member Judge William Thorne and former National CASA President Helen Jones-Kelley serve as Commissioners.