A resolution designating May 18, 2021, as "CASA/GAL Volunteers' Day".

III 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 219 Designating May 18, 2021, as ‘‘CASA/GAL Volunteers’ Day’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 18, 2021 Mr. BROWN (for himself, Mr. YOUNG, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. BRAUN, Ms. SMITH, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. BOOKER, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. GRASSLEY, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. TILLIS, and Mr. LANKFORD) submitted the following resolu- tion; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary JUNE 24, 2021 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating May 18, 2021, as ‘‘CASA/GAL Volunteers’ Day’’. Whereas Court Appointed Special Advocate (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘CASA’’) and Guardian ad Litem (re- ferred 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 allega- tions 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:30 Jun 25, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR219.ATS SR219 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 SRES 219 ATS 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 ob- jective 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 re- lationships with such children and youth; Whereas CASA and GAL communities across the country re- main committed to the recruitment and retention of vol- unteers 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 fami- lies, a higher number of services are ordered, and chil- dren are significantly less likely to reenter the child wel- fare system, perform better academically and behavior- ally, 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 re- quirement 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:30 Jun 25, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR219.ATS SR219 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 SRES 219 ATS Whereas, today, CASA and GAL volunteers span 49 States and the District of Columbia, including 948 State organi- zations and local programs, and more than 96,000 volun- teers offer their services to nearly 277,000 children, youth, and families: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) designates May 18, 2021, as ‘‘National 2 CASA/GAL Volunteers’ Day’’; and 3 (2) commends and celebrates CASA and GAL 4 volunteers for their dedication and hard work in ad- 5 vocating for the best interests of children so that 6 every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can 7 be safe, have a permanent home, and have the op- 8 portunity to thrive. 9 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:30 Jun 25, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR219.ATS SR219 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS