Requests the Louisiana Supreme Court to fully fund the CASA Assistance Program.
Impact
The resolution serves to reinforce state laws regarding the welfare and rights of children in the foster care system. By requesting full funding for the CASA Assistance Program, SCR5 aims to enhance the quality and availability of advocate services that contribute significantly to the well-being and stability of foster children. The program has been recognized for its effectiveness, with research suggesting that children assigned a CASA volunteer are more likely to find permanent homes and have better educational outcomes.
Summary
SCR5 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging the Louisiana Supreme Court to fully fund the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Assistance Program. This program is critical for the support of Louisiana's foster care system, which includes over 4,000 children currently in state custody due to abuse or neglect. The resolution highlights the importance of CASA advocates in providing timely and effective representation for these vulnerable children in court hearings, aiming to ensure their placements in safe and permanent homes.
Sentiment
General sentiment surrounding SCR5 appears to be supportive, particularly among advocates for children's welfare and many legislators who recognize the critical role that CASA volunteers play in fostering better outcomes for children in vulnerable situations. There has likely been broad agreement on the necessity of funding, although the exact political dynamics and level of pushback from budgetary constraints remain unspecified.
Contention
While the resolution does not appear to raise significant points of contention, it may face challenges associated with budget allocations and the priorities assigned to child welfare programs. The funding request could be subject to debate in the legislative arena, particularly in discussions around state budgeting, which might prioritize various competing needs. However, the clear focus on child welfare initiatives tends to elicit a more unified support base.
Commends the Louisiana Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs and volunteers and recognizes May 26, 2020, as CASA Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.
Commends the Louisiana Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs and volunteers for their work and designates April 12, 2022, as CASA Day at the state capitol.
Commends the Louisiana Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs and volunteers for their outstanding work on behalf of the abused and neglected children and designates April 17, 2019, as CASA Day at the Legislature.
Commends CASA programs and volunteers for the work they do to ensure safe permanent homes for Louisiana's foster children and designates April 27, 2017, as CASA Day at the state capitol.
Designates May 20, 2015, as LouisianaChildren.org Day at the Louisiana State Capitol and recognizes the efforts of LouisianaChildren.org in striving to give every child in Louisiana the opportunity to thrive.
Requests the Louisiana Department of Health, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the office of the governor to study voluntary universal home visiting for all families with young children in the state of Louisiana.
Transfers certain family and support programs from the Department of Children and Family Services to the Louisiana Workforce Commission and renames Louisiana Workforce Commission to Louisiana Works (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Directs the Dept. of Children and Family Services to study and develop a procedure by which parents who are awaiting a criminal trial or sentencing can develop a plan of care for their child