Board approves $145,824 CASA funding agreement to support two staff positions in juvenile advocacy program

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 approved a fiscal year 2026 funding agreement with the Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to provide $145,824 in support for the county’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program.

Court administration staff said the AOC funding covers wages, employee‑related expenses and operating costs for two full‑time equivalent positions that support CASA volunteer recruitment, training and volunteer support. Miss Shipley, speaking for court administration, said CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for abused and neglected children and remain with cases until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

“We have advertising campaigns and different media forms. So, yeah, we've been successful in recruiting a couple more volunteers this year,” Shipley told the board when asked about program recruitment and outreach.

The board approved the funding agreement by voice vote, recorded as 3–0. Staff said the positions are currently filled and will continue under the funding agreement effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. No county match or budgetary change was discussed at the meeting.