Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Center for Human Develpment, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: CHD
Mailing Address: 332 Birnie Ave.
City: Springfield
State: MA
Postal Code: 01107
Main Phone: (413) 733-6624
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.chd.org
Employer ID Number: 04-2503926
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/13/2023
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: CHD’s Court-Appointed Special Advocates
Project Description:

Since 1989, the Center of Human Development’s (CHD) Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) have been speaking up for kids who can’t. CASA recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who are then appointed by juvenile court judges to serve as guardian’s ad litem and advocate for abused and neglected children. “CASAs” represent the best interests of children in the courtroom and in the community. CASA is an innovative, community-driven, and scalable solution to one of our state’s most pervasive challenges.
Many children in foster care have experienced trauma and instability, putting them at risk for increased rates of mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and educational discrepancies. It is often difficult for youth in foster care to find and maintain support networks to help them succeed. Connections are compromised as they grow due to lack of natural family supports and frequent transitions. It is not uncommon for children to experience multiple changes in placement homes, school systems, social workers, attorneys and providers while in care.

Children in the system who have been appointed a CASA have significantly fewer foster care placements, perform better in school, and report having a greater sense of hopefulness. They’re also half as likely to re-enter the foster care system after exiting and more likely to be adopted if they do not return to their birth family. Youth who have had CASA’s report that a CASA volunteer’s presence and consistency increases their confidence and ability to connect. All of these outcomes translate to increased resilience, reduced engagement in risky and adverse behaviors and increased well-being later in life.

The goal of the CASA Program is to assist the court in expediting permanency for children through reunification, adoption and legal guardianship. CHD requests support for this program to increase our outreach to vulnerable populations.

Total Project Budget: 227,119

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): State Contract (Committed), Hesed Foundation (Pending), Amelia Peabody Foundation (Pending), Sky Ranch Foundation (Pending), MGM Foundation (Pending)

Project Duration: 1 Year
Geographical Area Served: Hampden County
Age Group To Be Served: Ages 0 -21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mx.
Contact First Name: Chelsea
Contact Last Name: Wait
Contact Title: Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 908-242-8027
Contact Email: cwait@chd.org