Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Welfare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Anderson County OKs $15,000 for CASA volunteers to support children in CPS cases
Summary
The commissioners approved a $15,000 allocation from a dedicated child-safety fund to CASA of Trinity Valley after the group’s executive director said volunteers provided 1,476 hours of advocacy to local children in 2024 and the program costs about $1,500 per child annually.
Keith Loper, executive director of CASA of Trinity Valley, asked the Anderson County Commissioners Court for county support to sustain volunteer guardian-ad-litem services for children involved in Child Protective Services cases. "We serve your county as guardian ad litem for children in CPS cases," Loper said, and told the court CASA served 441 children across three counties in 2024, "91 of those belong to Anderson County." He said volunteers provided roughly 1,476 hours of advocacy in Anderson County and the program logs about 18,000 miles of travel for that work.
The request called for between $10,000 and $15,000 to support local volunteer training, supervision and administrative oversight. Loper explained the program’s unit cost: "It takes us about $1,500 a year to serve one child," and said county funds would be used for training, staff oversight and volunteer support.
County leaders discussed funding sources and timing. The judge and staff identified the Child Safety Fund — a dedicated account drawn from court fees and not part of the general fund — as an appropriate source. The judge noted the fund’s balance and suggested making a one-time disbursement this year and placing a line item in next year’s budget.
On a motion by Commissioner Meehan and second by Commissioner Tiel, the court approved an expenditure of $15,000 from the child-safety fund for the current year and directed staff to include $15,000 in next year’s budget. The court also authorized the county judge to sign a contract with CASA once the agreement is finalized.
What’s next: Staff will execute a contract and return to the court with the fully executed agreement and any required reporting terms. CASA said it will continue seeking supplemental contributions from neighboring counties and private donors.
Votes at a glance: $15,000 approved; motion by Commissioner Meehan, second by Commissioner Tiel; voice vote, all ayes.
