06/15/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Amy Wright; Phone: 575-887-5966
Eddy County CASA receives national grant
to improve support to Eddy County’s children impacted by the child welfare system
Carlsbad, New Mexico – June 15, 2026 – Eddy County CASA has been awarded a $40,000 Needs Based Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association. Eddy County CASA recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who are involved in judicial proceedings related to abuse or neglect. Volunteer advocates are trained to support children through regular visits, information gathering, court reporting and continuous case monitoring until the child/youth has a permanent home, preferably with their family of origin whenever safely possible.
The National CASA/GAL Needs Based Grant will enable Eddy County CASA to focus on recruiting, training, supervising, and supporting effective volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system.
“This grant will help us recruit and support more CASA volunteers, allowing us to serve more children in Eddy County who have experienced abuse or neglect. We are grateful for this investment in our mission and the children we serve,” said Amy Wright, Executive Director of Eddy County CASA.
There are 941 CASA/GAL state organizations and local programs operating in 49 states and the District of Columbia. This funding is provided under the OJJDP FY24 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Training, Technical Assistance, and Subgrants Program (CFDA #16.756) to manage a national grant awards program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) primarily for the purpose of increasing the number Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are the subject of civil court child abuse and neglect proceedings. National CASA/GAL administers the grants program under a cooperative agreement with OJJDP which is authorized pursuant to the Victims of Child Abuse Act, 34 USC §20323.
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About Eddy County CASA
The mission of Eddy County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system through the recruitment, training, and support of effective volunteer advocates. To learn more, visit eddycountycasa.org.
About the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem Association
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association, together with its 941 state and local program members, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who is involved in judicial proceedings related to abuse or neglect in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and have the opportunity to thrive. National CASA/GAL offers leadership and support to the network of programs and leads its continued growth. CASA/GAL volunteers and staff work every day to advocate for children/youth and to strengthen and support families. To learn more, visit nationalcasagal.org.
