Tara Perry, Interim CEO

CEO Search National CASA Association Staff Update National CASA Association Board Update Partnership with Akerman LLP

FY 2016 CJS Appropriations Action Recap (H.R. 2578): The House-passed version includes $6 million in level funding for CASA The Senate bill reported out of the Appropriations Committee provides $12 million in CASA funding from Crime Victims Fund (CVF) account Appropriations process is now stalled, due to partisan impasse on spending limits Stopgap spending bill will likely be needed to fund the government after October 1 House & Senate appropriators will eventually negotiate the FY 2016 spending bill Action Links: casaforchildren.org (News & Events/Public Policy)

 FY 2015 Funding ($2.36 Billion total) o Funding released to states o Each state will establish their own funding determinations and deadlines  FY 2016 Funding (under consideration) o House bill: $2.7 billion Senate bill: $2.6 billion

 Proposed DOJ rule (federalregister.gov) from August 2013 (78 Federal Register 52877) will be finalized this fall, as early as October.  The proposed rule, among other items, including specifying direct service costs, would clarify the permissible use of VOCA funding for CASA advocacy.

 The proposed rule, in its draft form, states: “Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)…VOCA direct service funds may be used to provide instruction to CASA volunteers on how to be an advocate. VOCA funds may also be used to instruct volunteers on how to provide direct services when such services will be predominantly provided by volunteers.”

The Final Report from the QIC was due to the Children’s Bureau this month for publication Associate Commissioner, Children’s Bureau, resigned September 1 May delay publication by CB The research appears complete

Cindy Bizzell, State Steering Committee Co-Chair John Wyble, Director of State Development Paige Beard, Director of Program Development

Monthly Meetings Logic Model for State Organizations Public Policy Advocacy – Engaging the Network Collaborative Fund Development (September) State Steering Committee planning In-Person Meeting Members of the SSC will engage each state in preparation for meeting Joint Planning & Strategy Session with the Urban Leadership Council Encourage everyone to consider serving on the SSC in 2016 Application Process to be announced later this year

QA Redesign 15 states currently working with 3rd wave local programs with self-assessment compliance Shadowing state QA projects - 3 states Researching assessment processes from similar organizations

Cindy Booth, Urban Leadership Council Co-Chair Paige Beard, Director of Program Development

Engaging the 22 ULC members Peer to Peer Calls Preparing summary from call information Planning the November ULC in-person meeting Working with the State Steering Committee for joint meeting in November

Sally Erny, Chief Program Officer

State Development Grants Applications Submitted August 31 Review in process Awards announced September 14 Grants begin October 1 State Growth Grants Applications Submitted August 31 Review in process Awards announced September 14 Grants begin October 1

State Resource Grants ‒ Enhanced technical assistance and special project support for statewide initiatives in specific categories ‒ Up to eight awards to be made Local Program Grants ‒ Local grants are initiatives that increase the number of volunteers recruited and the number of children served. ‒ At least 14 awards to be made - up to $35,000 each Applications due October 16 Awards Announced November 10 Grants begin January 1

Survey results (including 38 respondents): 60% likely to attend a fall/winter meeting 68% likely to attend if we offer training 74% likely to attend if state meeting coordinated with Alliance meeting Leadership development is the type of training most desired

Planning group of state directors working on the agenda ‒ Blondean Funderburk, South Carolina ‒ Rita Gulden, New Jersey ‒ Mary Beth Luibel, Arkansas ‒ Cindy Bizzell, North Carolina (ex officio) ‒ Melissa O’Neill, Virginia (ex officio) Welcome additional directors for the planning group

Two recent situations involving a CASA/GAL program National CASA Association worked with the state organization and local programs in each of the situations If you receive a media inquiry indicate you have no information on the situation and offer to follow-up with them about who the most appropriate contact will be Please avoid saying “no comment” National CASA Association contact is Jim Gallisdorfer, Chief of Marketing & Brand Mangement –