News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
|
||
|
 |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2007 |
CONTACT: Jamie McInerney (202) 225-6131 |
| WASHINGTON – Today Congressman Dennis Cardoza introduced legislation that would help ensure every foster child is assigned a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer. Trained CASA volunteers investigate a foster child’s unique situation and advocate for the child’s best interest, emphasizing safety and stability for the child's home.
Congressman Cardoza has a very personal interest in this issue. Seven years ago he adopted two foster children, and has advocated on behalf of adoption and foster children in the California Assembly and in Congress.
“CASA is a program that is near and dear to my heart. When my wife and I adopted our children, I learned the important roll a CASA volunteer can play in the life of a foster child,” said Cardoza. “I firmly believe that the lives of my son and daughter were saved by their CASA volunteer. Unlike many foster children, they were fortunate to have a dedicated volunteer helping them to become members of a new family.”
Currently, only fifty percent of foster children are assigned a CASA volunteer because of a lack of funding for the program. The CASA for Every Child Act, H.R.3283, would provide matching Federal grants to state agencies involved with foster care on the condition that those states provide a CASA volunteer to every foster child in their system.
|
###
