A Kentucky child advocacy group says it’s fighting to receive state funding for the first time as legislators work to hammer out a budget.
The Court Appointed Children’s Advocates program uses judge-approved volunteers in child abuse or neglect cases to make recommendations on the victim’s behalf.
Kentucky CASA Network Executive Director Andrea Bruns says under the state House proposal, the organization would receive $1.5 million in funding. But, the Senate’s version doesn’t include those appropriations.
“In Kentucky right now, we only serve 42 of the 120 counties. So we’re vastly underserved with our CASA programs. The state funding would allow us to serve the previously unserved and underserved areas," Bruns says.
Currently, CASA relies on support from local governments and private contributions. Bruns says she and volunteers from local chapters have reached out to lawmakers to garner support.
This year’s legislative session ends April 12.
