SEATTLE, Wash. – On August 6th 2025, The National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Association has announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reversed its decision to terminate three critical federal grants. After careful review of the organization’s appeals, the DOJ reinstated the awards, citing alignment with the Department’s priority of “protecting American children.”
The grants, which had been suddenly terminated on April 22, included essential pass-through funding to state organizations and local CASA/GAL programs nationwide, along with training and technical assistance resources coordinated by National CASA/GAL. For Minnesota’s network of CASA programs, this reinstatement ensures continuity of vital support for volunteer advocates who stand beside children in foster care and ensure their best interests are heard in court.
CASA Minnesota recognizes how disruptive the past 100 days have been for programs, volunteers, and the children we serve. The reinstatement of funding restores stability to our mission and underscores the importance of strong partnerships between local, state, and national advocates. Most importantly, it protects the consistency of advocacy for children who need safe, permanent homes.
We extend our gratitude to the Department of Justice for this decision and to the many community members who supported us during this period of uncertainty. CASA Minnesota remains committed to ensuring every child in foster care has the powerful voice of a trained volunteer advocate.
Contact:
Sally Erny, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
communications@nationalcasagal.org
1-800-628-3233
—————————————————
CASA Minnesota (also known as CASA MN) is a nonprofit organization based in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area (serving Hennepin and Ramsey counties). Our mission is to support, train, and retain volunteer Guardians ad Litem (GALs)—court-appointed advocates who represent the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect in the child protection system.
Our volunteers play a critical role in court proceedings, ensuring that children’s educational, medical, living, and familial needs are represented and prioritized—even in a system that can often be overloaded and under-resourced. CASA MN emphasizes matching volunteer advocates to children with whom they share cultural backgrounds or experiences, fostering stronger, more meaningful advocacy connections.
Additionally, we run CASA Cares grants, providing up to $500 per year per child to support enrichment opportunities—such as summer camps, music lessons, sports equipment, or cultural activities—giving foster youth moments of joy and development that aren’t covered by government aid. To date, they’ve distributed over $180,000 in direct grants to children across the state.
Learn how you can contribute here
