Terminating the CASA Volunteer GAL Program Will Cost Children's Lives and Taxpayers Money

Aug142025

Episode # 30

Click Here For the Audio: What it’s like Being a CASA Child Advocate

Summary:

This is a short description of one Community CASA Guardian ad Litem’s experience being a child advocate in the Child Protection System.

Just last Friday, the 12 million dollar budget was returned to CASA national. We will never know how many people were laid off or worked as volunteers in the National CASA office to keep over 900 small regional volunteer offices managing 97,000 volunteers open for almost five months. The article below puts a lie to the reason DOGE used to end the CASA Guardian ad Litem program.

Share this article widely. It may stop some misguided political operatives from destroying what America is best at (volunteering).

On 4.22.25 National CASA/GAL received notice that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has terminated the entire budget of (CASA National) federal grant awards – among 360 notices of termination the DOJ issued this week. All 12 million dollars.

In this fast moving effort to “cut waste” and “save money” MN and National nonprofits it’s important we know the numbers we are dealing with. Over the years, CASA volunteer Guardians ad Litem have provided millions of at-risk children many millions of hours of in high value in person help as they helped frighten children navigate the cold hard reality of foster care and Child Protective Services. Last year, the cost per child for 79,000 CASA volunteers spending many months with their caseload kids (270,000 of them) is about forty four dollars per child.

Very simple math: 79,000 CASA volunteers helped about 270,000 children stay safe. CASA National’s budget has been 12 million dollars per year for many years now.

Two quick ways of evaluating the cost savings achieved in eliminating this program:

The new added cost to the system in adding staff Guardian ad Litem wages if the CASA program disappears is almost 2 Billion Dollars to replace them.

Using the same numbers to calculate one year of replacement wages for 79,000 paid staff workings (20 hours/month) the same number of hours a CASA volunteer would work at a rate of $25/hour = $6000/ year * 79,000 workers =$474,000,000.00 costing we the taxpayers about FORTY times the saved 12 million dollars. While there is an additional cost of supervising more volunteers needed for managing the extra numbers of volunteers (because CASAs take two or three cases and paid staff take up to 30). Of course the money won’t be easy to find to pay them. Maybe, these child protection workers just won’t be there.

Minnesota Data (2025):
- Roughly 5,400 children have a GAL.
- About 300 MN children are without a GAL at any given time due to staffing shortages, turnover, and difficulty hiring and retaining qualified workers25.
Why the Gap Exists:
- The shortage is attributed to the recent removal of about 200 volunteer CASA GALs, paid staffing challenges, and system churn2.
- When children are left without a GAL, it is often because of transitions in staff or volunteers, or delays in case assignment25.

2) The most expensive consequence to the State of a child not represented by a Guardian ad Litem is the added time children without Guardians ad Litem live in foster care (an additional 7.5 extra months). When factoring in the full range of services provided to foster children (medical, mental health, education, case management, administration), the average annual cost is a minimum of $25,000 per child56.

The cost to taxpayers for the approximately 300 children without a Guardian ad Litem today is about $7.2 million dollars.

On a national level, If a significant number of the 270,000 children CASA Guardians ad Litem worked with last year don’t have them next year, the extra cost of foster care incurred ($24,375 per child) will be between 3.5 and 7 billion dollars. Total calculations a the bottom of this article.

So not only does killing the CASA program cost many thousands of children a caring community adult at the most frightening time of their life, it will cost tax payers 200 to 400 times more money than the money that was saved eliminating it.

The real negative comes if these cuts continue to eliminate funding for foster care. If that happens the cost of detention centers, jails, and prisons will balloon from the high numbers they are at now. Recidivism will jump from the 80% at nine years to 90 or 95%. Crime, teen and preteen pregnancies and STDs will skyrocket and school performance will plummet.

What’s happening is cruel, costly, and will surely come down hard on the children, their families, and communities in which they (we) live.

IF YOU HAVE NEVER SHARED A KARA POST BEFORE

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These children have no voice and they need yours now

When enough of us

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(KARA note: turnover in the paid staff program is about 50% or 2 years, which is about the length of time a new hire takes to learn the job and be effective)

Minnesota was a leader in the national volunteer guardian ad litem movement more than 40 years ago, she said, and it’s sad to see how the program has diminished. “Children need more people, not less,” said Sally Erny from CASA National, and, “Volunteers are more important now then ever.”

A guardian ad litem has a unique position, with their sole focus on the child’ best interest. “That voice is something that is really important for a judge to hear,” (Sally Erny).

From the Star Tribune article, “Children really don’t have a voice in courtroom except through the adults, so the guardian program is very important,” said Kathleen Blatz, a former Minnesota Supreme Court chief justice who serves on the state’s Guardian ad Litem Board. “To have volunteers who are so connected to the community … and, with training, are very qualified to give in this meaningful way for children — and I just think, why would we say no to that?”

Other coming cuts:

CACs average one staff supervisor for every 30 volunteers. The national number of CAC volunteers is estimated to be about 300 per program and over 900 programs (about 370,000 volunteers total).

It is likely that the CASA conversion ROI numbers are similar to the CAC’s and they are under great stress as are the children they serve.

The threat to CACs (Child Advocacy Centers)

Federal VOCA funding has been shrinking for years due to reductions in criminal fines and penalties, which finances the Crime Victims Fund.
Wisconsin’s VOCA funding dropped from $44.5 million annually to $13 million starting October 20241.
Colorado has experienced a 76% reduction in VOCA funds since 2018, with an additional 27% drop anticipated in 20252.
Some CACs are at risk of shutting down entirely due to insufficient funding. In Alabama, up to six rural centers face closure if additional resources are not secured3
In March 2025, Congress eliminated $30 million in community project funding from the fiscal year 2025 budget. This funding was intended to compensate for the decline in VOCA resources and support critical programs across the country3.
Many child advocacy centers rely heavily on VOCA funds, which accounted for an average of 35% of CAC budgets nationwide last year4.
The funding cuts have led to staff shortages, reduced services, longer wait times for forensic interviews and counseling, and even the closure of some centers, particularly in rural areas4.

The threat to CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

The DOJ labeled National CASA as a “high-risk grantee” in 2023 due to concerns over financial mismanagement, including $2.7 million in questioned costs. Although most issues were resolved, this designation remains a threat to future funding1.
While the funding freeze imposed in 2023 has been lifted, new federal grants are being released on a “partial release basis,” and the DOJ continues to closely monitor National CASA’s financial and programmatic activities1. It
During the funding freeze, pass-through grants to local CASA programs were delayed, causing operational disruptions for smaller affiliates that rely heavily on these funds1. Continued scrutiny could lead to further delays or reductions in these grants.
Concerns about financial solvency and management at the national level have led some state CASA organizations to distance themselves from National CASA. For example, eight state leaders announced the formation of a new national entity, citing concerns about sustainability1.
Managing hundreds of workers in a complex and high stress system is difficult. Consider that Child Protection workers and a broken Child Protection system are often blamed when a child dies. MN Governor Mark Dayton called the death of four-year-old Eric a “colossal” system failure. A task force was formed and positive additions to the system were employed at some cost. In other words, there are costs to an effective system. It’s not all about people’s failure.
In 2024, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) programs across the United States served more than 242,000 children who had experienced abuse or neglect and were involved in the child welfare system9 4 10
It’s hard to understand how less money in these systems could improve them. For instance, the 12 million dollars used to fund the CASA program today works out to $152 per year per volunteer Guardian ad Litem or about $49.50 per child per year that are cared for by 79,000 community volunteer CASA volunteers.
Federal budgetary pressures are risks to National CASA’s funding levels. While Congress has historically allocated $12 million annually for CASA under the Victims of Child Abuse Act, this amount has rarely increased despite growing needs3.

Judges’ Perspectives on CASA Volunteers vs. Paid Staff

Judges appreciate that CASA volunteers typically handle only one or two cases at a time, allowing them to provide more focused, individualized attention to each child, compared to paid staff who often manage high caseloads78.
CASA volunteers are seen as a consistent, reliable adult presence for the child, building relationships that paid staff—who may change frequently or have limited time—often cannot8.

Many judges report that they read CASA reports first and give significant weight to their recommendations, sometimes even more than those of CPS workers, especially when there are discrepancies between the two1 7.
CASA volunteers are valued for their independent perspective, as their only allegiance is to the child’s best interests, whereas paid staff must balance agency policies, caseloads, and other constraints7.

Judges recognize that while CPS workers are essential for case management and service provision, CASA volunteers fill a critical advocacy gap by focusing solely on the child’s needs and wishes3 78.
CASA volunteers are often able to spend more direct time with children, visit placements, and monitor progress, which judges find invaluable for making informed decisions78.

Judges acknowledge that CPS staff are often overworked and overwhelmed, which can limit their ability to provide the level of attention each case deserves. CASA volunteers help mitigate this by offering additional oversight and advocacy8.

Studies and judge testimonials indicate that courts accept CASA recommendations in the majority of cases, and judges believe that children achieve better outcomes when a CASA is involved7.
Judges also note that CASA volunteers are often assigned to the most complex and demanding cases, where their focused advocacy can make a significant difference4 7.

In Judges’ Own Words:

“The biggest benefit I see of having a CASA volunteer on the case is to the child… for that kid to have somebody who is consistent, who knows them, who’s going to come see them more than a 15-minute home visit once every 60 days, who they can rely on and trust.”
— Judge Traci Brislin, Fayette County Family Court8

“The court will make better decisions because of the reports from the CASA volunteer which focus on the best interests of the child. The view of the hundreds of judges who have CASA programs is that children achieve better outcomes when a CASA volunteer is there to speak on their behalf.”
— National CASA Judges’ Guide7

While Minnesota’s dual system (CASA/Staff GALs) is the exception to the CASA volunteer rule, the training is the same, the cost for management of volunteers is higher but that number is tiny compared to the dollar value volunteers bring into CPS.

Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) recommends caseloads of 12–15 children per caseworker for foster care and family services5. CASA GALs take an average of 1.5 cases per volunteer.

Most counties in the U.S. do not meet the recommended caseload standard of 12–15 children per caseworker. Many counties have caseloads that are double or even triple the recommended level, with only a small proportion meeting or coming close to the standard1 5 6. This is a persistent challenge in the child welfare system and is linked to high worker turnover and poorer outcomes for children and families. The results of overwhelmed CPS systems too often end in death or near death for the children involved.

With current and projected budget cuts, caseloads will grow. Without support for more volunteers, results will worsen, employee turnover will increase, and children will suffer.

This economic argument is based on better outcomes for the neediest children in our communities, rather than efficiency and ease for the institution involved. It is important that CASA volunteers take fewer cases than paid staff and have more time to spend meeting with the families and children they serve to produce better outcomes for the child involved. Add to this this that the economics of volunteers favor the cost of volunteers by at least 30 to one it’s clear that these programs deserve the full-throated support of the public and legislators that serve them.

For decades, many children have been forced to wait weeks or even months before being assigned a CASA or GAL, depending on the availability of volunteers and the complexity of their cases. In Texas, CASA programs serve anywhere from 9% to 99% of children in foster care, depending on the region and resources available1. The foster care costs outweigh the costs of building programs to serve the children that need them. Minnesota has 200 children waiting at this time. this number has been the rule rather than the exception at least since 1996.

If you run these calculations, you will find that for the CASA programs 12-million-dollar budget today, that the actual ROI is about 90 to one and not the 30 to 1 per dollar ROI of measurable government tax dollar savings every year. All this comes from the work of community volunteers, and it does not include any value for the lives saved and children that and prosper because a volunteer spent weeks and months walking a terrified child through a painful institutional process to find resources and hope for the child to thrive.

The heart of this fiscal argument is that a passionate well-trained community volunteer force brings more to the children and families than paid staff and it saves substantial funding.

The “saving money” battle cry as volunteer organizations are being threatened by a negative political narrative does not save children or money. In fact a quick read of recent studies in the medical field indicate that untreated high ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experience) people are costing our nation over 14 Trillion dollars each year. This doesn’t include the huge loss in life years those people suffer from. These numbers are cumulative, meaning that the numbers from the ACEs studies are just about the costs of high ACEs people to healthcare. Future studies will likely show similar numbers coming from education, Policing, Courts and Justice.

In short: Cutting volunteer-driven child protection programs doesn’t save money or children. Each cut dollar eliminates another 30 to 90 dollars in community volunteer value and shifts the burden of child protection to already strained public systems and multiplies the human suffering and financial costs for generations to come.

Until more lawmakers and changemakers know this ground truth, the coming counterproductive cuts to valuable programs will likely continue to the distress of the most unhappy children in our communities.

Extended Foster cost / benefit calculations:

Economics of Minnesota’s Guardians ad Litem program:

Between 2017 and 2024, ten times as much money became available to serve about half as many children in CPS.

Foster Care: GAL advocate in CPS reduce the child’s time in foster care by 7.5 months (an average savings of $15,000 per child or a savings to government agencies.

Today, about 300 children in CPS do not have a staff or CASA GAL in MN today largely because:

1.)The near elimination of the volunteer CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program (from 300 to 12 volunteers), which historically provided stability and reduced caseloads for paid staff, in now leading to higher caseloads and more stress for the remaining employees5 67.

2).The difficult and complex nature of the work, which involves advocating for traumatized abused and neglected children in challenging family and legal situations, contributing to burnout and early exits5 26 (it is work that is hard to leave at the office) and,

3). Management and structural changes, because of the transition from a mixed volunteer/paid model to a fully paid staff model, have disrupted continuity and increased workload for new staff still learning their roles5 67.

4). The tight labor market and reduced State budget leaving wages low for a position that is experiencing an extremely high turnover due to burnout and poor results.

The result is a persistent vacancy rate, with as many as 24 open positions in a given month and a turnover rate as high as 17% or more, with some sources reporting nearly 50% annual turnover among staff and supervisors15. This instability undermines the program’s ability to provide consistent, high-quality advocacy for Minnesota’s most vulnerable children.

On a national level, about 270,000 children per year go without a Guardian ad Litem.

Children in CPS foster care have a significantly higher foster care cost because many of them have mental health and behavior issues that require more staff, more training and more healing and skill building programs. They also

The typical monthly cost of foster care for troubled youth in CPS programs generally ranges from $1,000 to $2,800 per month, (12,000 TO 34,000 dollars/year) depending on the state, care setting, and the level of the youth’s needs1 4 5 89.

The total cost for a state ward child in the child welfare system, including medical, special needs, and foster care expenses, varies significantly based on the child’s needs and circumstances. Key findings from research indicate:

Cost Components

Foster care maintenance: Covers basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing.
Medical and therapeutic services: Includes physical/mental health support and specialized care for disabilities.
Administrative and case management: Court costs, caseworker salaries, and agency oversight.
Special needs allowances: Additional funding for birthdays, holidays, or disability-related expenses (e.g., up to $22.50/year in Arizona)4.

Estimated Total Costs

Best-case scenario (shorter stay, fewer complications):
- $32,711 per child total investment2.
- Includes:
  - Foster care maintenance
  - Medical costs
  - Court/administrative expenses
High-needs scenario (extended stay, complex needs):
- $65,422 per child total investment2.
- Applies to children with:
  - Severe medical or behavioral conditions
  - Multiple placements or therapeutic interventions
  - Extended time in care (e.g., aging out of the system)

Factors Influencing Costs

State reimbursement structures:
- Basic foster care rates range from $432–$468/month (Alabama)3 to $24.94–$38.38/day (Arizona)4.
- Specialized care (e.g., medically fragile) can exceed $1,000/month3.
Federal funding: Title IV-E reimburses 50–83% of eligible costs, varying by state1.
Child-specific needs:
- Children with disabilities or trauma histories incur higher expenses due to therapy, specialized training for caregivers, and intensive case management52.

Long-Term Economic Impact

For every $1 spent on foster care, studies show a negative social return on investment (ROI) of -$3.64 (best-case) to -$9.55 (high-needs)2, reflecting downstream costs like criminal justice involvement or lost productivity.

These figures represent direct government expenditures and exclude indirect societal costs. Actual expenses depend on individual needs, state policies, and duration in care1 24.

Quality of Life Issues Addressed for Children in Child Protection Services by CASA/GAL

Children involved with child protection services often experience significant disruptions and trauma, including removal from their homes, separation from siblings, and instability in their daily lives1. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Guardians ad Litem (GAL) play a critical role in addressing and improving quality of life issues for these children.

Key Quality of Life Issues Addressed

Stability and Permanency
- CASA/GAL advocates work to ensure children are placed in safe, stable, and nurturing environments, prioritizing permanency—whether through reunification, adoption, or guardianship23.
- They monitor placements and recommend changes if a child’s living situation is unsafe or unstable2.
Emotional and Psychological Well-being
- CASA/GALs provide a consistent adult presence, offering emotional support and helping children navigate the legal system, which can be confusing and intimidating21.
- By forming relationships with the child, they help reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety2.
Access to Needed Services
- They identify and advocate for the child’s educational, medical, and therapeutic needs, ensuring access to counseling, special education, and healthcare services2.
- CASA/GALs can uncover hidden issues such as unmet medical needs or developmental delays and push for appropriate interventions2.
Voice and Representation
- CASA/GALs serve as the child’s voice in court, ensuring the child’s wishes and best interests are heard and considered by the judge2 41.
- They gather information from multiple sources to present a comprehensive view of the child’s situation, which helps the court make informed decisions23.
Continuity and Advocacy
- Because CASA/GALs typically have lower caseloads than social workers, paid staff GALs, and attorney GALs, they can dedicate more time to each child, providing continuity and advocacy throughout the case53.
- They monitor court orders and follow up to ensure that recommendations are implemented and that the child’s needs continue to be met2.

Broader Impact on Quality of Life

CASA/GAL advocacy can help children avoid “languishing” in foster care or inappropriate placements, reducing the risk of further trauma and instability51.
Judges and research indicate that CASA/GAL involvement is associated with increased attention to the child’s long-term well-being and more informed court decisions34.
Their work helps break cycles of neglect and abuse, laying the foundation for healthier futures for children in the child welfare system21.

Limitations and Considerations

Some studies suggest that while CASA/GALs provide focused advocacy, children with CASA involvement may experience different permanency outcomes (such as lower odds of reunification but higher odds of adoption), reflecting the complexity of their cases and the influence of judicial discretion5.

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This article submitted by CASA volunteer Mike Tikkanen

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Categories: All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Reporting and News - MN Specific, Reporting and News - US BasedBy Mike Tikkanen August 14, 2025

Author: Mike Tikkanen

https://invisiblechildren.org

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Every Child Matters 0
FACSA FOUNDATION Family and Friends Fighting Against Child Sexual Assault. Providing support services for families of child sexual assault. We also educate communities on prevention of child sexaul assault. 0
Family Violence Prevention Fund Picturing a World Without Violence 0
freearts minnesota is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the healing powers of artistic expression into the lives of abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families. 0
Friends Of Children MN The Friends of Children Foundation is committed to improving the lives of children in foster care in Hennepin County, Minnesota. 0
Friends of the Children 0
Grand Magazine Grandparents Magazine (see our free subscription link www.grandsub.com ) 0
Grief Speaks Giving children, teenagers, and adults permission to grieve 0
GW Medical Publishing a leading clinical and forensic publisher serving the medical, legal, social service, and law enforcement communities with the resources they need to combat child abuse, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, child trafficking, and other 0
Help With Trauma Social Justice Non-Profit Trauma Institute 0
Home Accommodations for Special Needs Home Accommodations for Special Needs 0
Judge Leonard Edwards Support for judges and other professionals working in the juvenile court 0
Judge Leonard Edwards Support for judges and other professionals working in the juvenile court 0
Kids Count Data Center Child Well Being By State 0
Kids Data Points Important Information About Children in the U.S. 0
Legal Resources for Special Needs special needs lawyers nationally 0
Lutheran Social Service of MN extensive programs support children and families in Minnesota via adoption services, crisis nurseries, shelters for at-risk youth, parenting classes, and many other youth-related services. 0
Mentoring Partnership MN Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota’s (MPM) new website reflects our strategic shift to support and build quality mentoring programs to ensure that every child and volunteer has a quality experience. 0
Minnesota Guardian ad Litem program Becoming a MN Child Advocate in the CASA guardian ad Litem program 0
MN Kinship Caregivers Helping Grandparents Help Children 0
MN Literacy Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving literacy in the state of Minnesota. They offer literacy services for adults, at-risk children, native-English speakers and recent immigrants. 0
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse NAASCA Addressing the issues of child sex abuse & providing services to adult survivors. 0
National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children 0
National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse NCPCA sends its senior attorneys throughout the country and abroad to lecture and deliver presentations on all aspects of child abuse investigation and prosecution. The federal Children’s Justice Act supports multidisciplinary training on investigation an 0
National Data Archive on Child Abuse Exchange among researched in child maltreatment field. 0
National Institute of Mental Health Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental health through research 0
National Traumatic Stress Network their mission is to raise the stadard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children and their families. 0
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE MN Welcome to the website of Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota. We are the Minnesota Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. If you are in immediate need of child abuse information, please call 1-800-CHILDREN. 0
Prevent Child Abuse National Healthy Environments For Children 0
Promising Practices Network 0
Right For Kids How The States Treat Their Children 0
Safe Passage For Children Redesigning The Child Welfare System To Make Children Safe 0
Surviving Spirit – Healing The Heart Through The Creative Arts promoting hope, healing and help for those impacted by trauma, abuse or mental health concerns through the use of the creative arts. 0
The Future of Children The Future of Children seeks to promote effective policies and programs for children by providing policymakers, service providers, and the media with timely, objective information based on the best available research. 0
Together We Rise making life better for foster children 0
Youth Law Center The Youth Law Center advocates to transform foster care and juvenile justice systems across the nation so every child and youth can thrive. 0
Zero Kids Waiting To many people zero means nothing — to us zero means everything. There are 650 kids waiting in the Minnesota foster care system. Our goal is to make that number zero, because every child deserves a family. If you can’t open your home to one of Minnesota’s 0

Terminating the CASA Volunteer GAL Program Will Cost Children’s Lives and Taxpayers Money