The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) administers funds designated for the purpose of supporting Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs as grants to non-profit organizations and local units of government. Applications for continuation funding for Fiscal Years 2026 are currently being solicited. Grants are awarded on a formula basis which includes a thorough analysis of the data previously submitted by eligible programs as required by the state regulations governing CASA programs.
Subject to final approval by the General Assembly, a total of $1,533,840 will be available to local programs from state general funds. An additional $1,499,490 will be available from federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds for the purpose of supporting the delivery of direct services to victims of child abuse and neglect. $22,200 will be available from Children’s Justice Act funding.
Attached are Program Guidelines to provide guidance to aid applicants in determining eligibility, completing the itemized budget justification narrative, and completing other related components, including performance targets.
Grant applications for FY 2026 are completed through the Online Grants Management System (OGMS). The attached instructions provide additional information for accessing the OGMS. A mandatory round table will be held on February 26, 2025 at 3:00 pm. The session will be recorded. Invitations to the round table session will be emailed to CASA programs.
| FY 2026 CASA Expansion Grant Guidelines and Application Procedures (401.62 KB) |