Title: Expressing support of the designation of May 18, 2021, as "CASA/GAL Volunteers' Day".
Policy area: Families

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National CASA/GAL Volunteers Day to commend the work of court-appointed special advocate (CASA) and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 412 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 412

 Expressing support of the designation of May 18, 2021, as ``CASA/GAL 
                           Volunteers' Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 18, 2021

Ms. Porter (for herself, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mrs. 
     McBath, Mrs. Hinson, Mr. Takano, Ms. Bass, Mr. Aderholt, Ms. 
   Spanberger, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. 
Carson, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Grijalva, Mrs. Bice of Oklahoma, Mr. Lucas, Mr. 
    Tony Gonzales of Texas, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, and Mrs. Hayes) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support of the designation of May 18, 2021, as ``CASA/GAL 
                           Volunteers' Day''.

Whereas Court Appointed Special Advocate (referred to this preamble as ``CASA'') 
        and Guardian ad Litem (referred to in this preamble as ``GAL'') 
        volunteers are trained and qualified to advocate nationwide for the best 
        interests of children before courts in cases with allegations of abuse 
        or neglect;
Whereas more than 424,000 children in the United States enter the foster care 
        system, through no fault of their own, due to allegations of abuse or 
        neglect and rely on adults to advocate on their behalf;
Whereas children of color are more likely to stay in the foster care system for 
        longer periods of time and are less likely to be reunited with their 
        biological families;
Whereas CASA and GAL volunteers, appointed by a judge--

    (1) provide the court with the comprehensive and objective information 
the court needs to make the most well-informed decisions and help ensure 
positive outcomes for children and youth; and

    (2) take time to build meaningful and authentic relationships with such 
children and youth;

Whereas CASA and GAL communities across the country remain committed to the 
        recruitment and retention of volunteers who reflect the diversity of the 
        children they serve;
Whereas research shows that when a caring and consistent adult like a CASA or 
        GAL volunteer is assigned to a case, outcomes are strengthened for 
        children and families, a higher number of services are ordered, and 
        children are significantly less likely to reenter the child welfare 
        system, perform better academically and behaviorally, and have higher 
        levels of hope;
Whereas, in January 1974, Congress enacted the Child Abuse Prevention Treatment 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.);
Whereas the Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act provides financial assistance 
        to States for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect 
        and includes a requirement that in every case a GAL must be appointed to 
        represent the best interest of the child;
Whereas such GAL requirement was subsequently amended to provide that the GAL 
        may be an attorney or a court-appointed special advocate; and
Whereas, today, CASA and GAL volunteers span 49 States and the District of 
        Columbia, including 948 State organizations and local programs, and more 
        than 96,000 volunteers offer their services to nearly 277,000 children, 
        youth, and families: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for the designation of ``National 
        CASA/GAL Volunteers' Day''; and
            (2) commends and celebrates CASA and GAL volunteers for 
        their dedication and hard work in advocating for the best 
        interest of children so that every child who has experienced 
        abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and have 
        the opportunity to thrive.
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