Volunteer Roundtable: CASA Funding for Foster Families
- casadirector
- May 8, 2020
- 3 min read
Volunteer Roundtable Discussion
CASA Funding for Foster Families
May 6, 2020
For over 20 years the Ethel and Raymond F. Rice Foundation has provided funds for CASA to use to provide scholarships for CASA (and like children in the community) to participate in activities.
Due to the situation with COVID and the cancellation of activities we asked for a modification in our grant to be able to use the funds to purchase supplies and equipment (in addition to scholarships) to be able to adjust to the cancellation of activities.
Keep in mind, these funds are focused on providing opportunities that these children would normally not be able to have because of poverty/inability to pay that other kids have access to.
Funding Sources & Purposes:
· Rice Foundation: Revised Purpose = Materials for activities for CASA children (and any other children in the home/placement) based on information from our volunteers as they check in with children and families.
o Books
o Art and craft supplies
o Food
o Recipe books
o Etc.
o We indicated in our email request that this is a new situation so we are likely to come across using the funds on something we didn’t expect. So, it’s fairly open to our interpretation.
· Kansas Volunteer Commission
o Provided a mini grant opportunity for agencies to apply for up to $1,000 to support volunteers and their work in response to the COVID. The goal is to provide direct supplies to people.
o Purpose: to provide supplies and equipment to provide activities for children who are under the protection of the court in Douglas County due to abuse and neglect. To purchase supplies for the kids and their families to keep them engaged, out of trouble, and to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect. We will use 100% of any amount awarded to us to purchase additional supplies for activities for this population (books, art supplies, games, gardening supplies & tools, online subscriptions to share, etc.)
· Douglas County CASA’s Child Activity Fund – a fund for donors if they want funds to go directly to children.
· What have we purchased so far? (For CASA children and children in a few group homes)
o Outdoor games
o Basketballs
o A few bikes
o Weighted blankets
o Trampoline
o Art kits/supplies
o Toys
· What we can purchase/reimburse for:
o Books
o Food
o Recipe books
o Games
o gardening supplies & tools
o online subscriptions to share
o Art and craft supplies
o And then that most lovely category of etc. or other!
o Other ideas shared during Roundtable:
§ Basketball goal
§ Soccer goal
§ Swingset
§ Focus on items that will be long lasting, not just one-time use supplies if possible.
· Amount of Funding
Rice Foundation 11,500 Spend by Dec 31, 2020 (8 months)
Volunteer Commission 1,000 Spend by June 30, 2020 (2 months)
Total $12,500
Amount spent/promised -2,728.12
Balance $9,771.88
Divided by 8 months 1,221.48/month
Per child 70-80
Per family 137.63
· What does this mean for you and the children you serve?
o Talk to your kids and their placements about their need. And if there is a need that fits this funding source let your Volunteer Coordinator/Supervisor know.
o Ask and ask multiple times, even if the family indicates they are fine and don’t need or want anything.
Next Steps for you:
o Ask yourself: “If you had $120 to use to help your family during this time what would you spend it on?”
o Follow up with your assigned child and/or family (multiple times if needed)
o Let your Volunteer Coordinator/Supervisor know. They will let you know if it’s approved. It’s helpful to know estimated cost of an item and if it can be ordered and shipped, or if you are willing to purchase and deliver.
o If/when approved your VAC will let you know. Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement (by check from CASA).
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