Grant Request Piedmont CASA, Inc.
Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form
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: VA
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: Nonprofit 501(c)(3)
Proposal Information
Today’s Date: March 31, 2021
Requested Amount: $8,000
Project Title: Provide Trained CASA Volunteers for 280 Abused and Neglected Children
Project Description:
Piedmont CASA’s goal is to help restore safety, stability, and permanence to the lives of children who have been abused and neglected. The pandemic has made achieving our goal more complicated, demanding – and crucial. So much so that the Governor of Virginia declared our Volunteers essential workers during the pandemic.
We train men and women in our community to become Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs. It is through their independent investigation, advocacy, and thoroughly researched, well-written court reports that Piedmont CASA Volunteers have earned the confidence of local judges who determine the best interests of traumatized boys and girls.
After completing a 42-hour training course and a thorough screening, each Volunteer works with only one child or sibling group. This focus ensures that the child comes first, that his or her needs and desires remain at the forefront of case planning and judicial proceedings. CASA Volunteers interview parents, caretakers, foster parents, therapists, educators, and other professionals. They meet with their child at least once a month. They collaborate extensively with social workers and treatment providers to ensure that all parties stay informed about progress and issues in each case, and that the children receive the services they need. Their investigations culminate with fact-based reports to the judge that include recommendations on how best to meet the needs of each child. In FY20, our court reports contained 586 recommendations. The court accepted 557, or 95%.
Our Volunteers provide the kind of intervention maltreated children need to thrive: trauma-informed care in every setting, more medical care and educational support, less time in foster care, and, at the conclusion of each case, safe and permanent homes that support their well-being and development. These are key to breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect and enabling youngsters to become stable, productive adults.
Total Project Budget: $980,188
Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Potential grant funding for FY 2022 includes DCJS (Department of Criminal Justice Services), VOCA (Victims of Crime Act), City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band, J&E Berkley Foundation, Inez Duff Bishop Charitable Trust, and the E. C. Wareheim Foundation. Individual donations comprise approximately 43% of our annual income, and events contribute another 4%.
Project Duration: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
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
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