Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Piedmont CASA, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different): Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc.
Also Known As: Piedmont CASA
Mailing Address: 818 East High Street
City: Charlottesville
State: Virginia
Postal Code: 22902
Main Phone: 434-971-7515
Main Fax: 434-971-3060
Organization Website: http://www.pcasa.org
Employer ID Number: 54-1704064
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31, 2015
Requested Amount: $8,000

Project Title: Provide Trained CASA Volunteers to Advocate in Court for Abused and Neglected Children
Project Description:

Piedmont CASA opened its doors in 1995 with the goal of breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect by assuring that child victims have strong voices in court, access to necessary and appropriate education, mental health and physical health services/therapies, and the opportunity to live in safe, permanent and nurturing homes. The children we serve range in age from newborn to 18, and more than 90% come from homes that are living at or below the poverty level.

CASA Volunteers go through a rigorous selection process and training to ensure that they have the time and skills required for success.

Volunteers are then inducted by the judge and assigned to a case. Their core duties are to: (1) investigate the child’s situation; (2) write thorough independent investigative reports for the Court; (3) monitor the case in accordance with judges’ orders; and (4) assist guardians ad litem.

Volunteers visit their CASA children at least once a month, establishing a relationship which is often the only consistent presence throughout the duration of a case. They interview everyone involved in the child’s life, scour public records and work with social services, community substance abuse and mental health service providers, foster home services, hospitals, therapists, physicians, and schools. They monitor the children’s progress and ensure that needed services are provided in accordance with the court’s orders.

Last year, 121 Volunteers served 234 children, donating 8,512 hours in direct advocacy. According to Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, their donated time was valued at $181,901.44 ($21.37 per hour). In FY 2016, we expect to induct 30 new Volunteers, and serve 230 children.

Research shows that children with CASA Volunteers spend less time in court, less time in foster homes, and find safe, permanent homes faster – all keys to breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect.

Total Project Budget: $573,824

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Piedmont CASA has long been focused on program sustainability and has continued to implement a development plan that ensures diversified funding. Last year, individual donations accounted for 58% of the program revenues, private foundations 13%, state and federal grants 25%, and a special event 3%. Grants committed for FY 2016: Albemarle County ($9,270), City of Charlottesville ($9,818), Applied: VOCA ($51,674), National CASA ($23,000) Gwathmey ($20,000). Other grants we will apply for include: Department of Criminal Justice Services, Louisa County, Inez Duff Bishop,

Project Duration: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016
Geographical Area Served: City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Greene, and Louisa, Virginia
Age Group To Be Served: Newborn to 18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Lexie
Contact Last Name: Boris
Contact Title: Advancement Director
Contact Phone: 434-971-7515
Contact Email: lboris@pcasa.org