Legislative Advocacy
In April 2025, Wisconsin CASA and Local Program Staff across the state advocated to our legislators the importance of supporting Wisconsin children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. We met legislators at the Capitol as well as spoke at a Joint Finance Committee hearing to increase awareness of CASA and encourage additional state funding to expand CASA programs.
With increased state funding, Wisconsin CASA would be able to start CASA programs in new counties and further support current programs with additional funding for things like additional staff to serve more children.
Right now the Joint Finance Committee is working on the 2025-27 Biennial State Budget. You can help us by contacting your legislators and sharing why you think CASA is important. Below is language you can use when calling or emailing your representatives and senators. Or, simply speak from the heart with your own CASA experience!
What Should You Say
"Hello, my name is -----, a constituent from -------, and I am calling/emailing to request your support of the Wisconsin CASA Network.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a program that gives children who have experienced abuse or neglect a voice in court through best practice advocacy to protect the best interest of the child. CASA programs are only in 14 out of the 72 counties in our state. There are thousands of children who are not having their voices heard in their court case. By supporting CASA in the upcoming biennial state budget, you are allowing CASA to expand into new counties and serve more children in Wisconsin. There are about 6,000 children a year who are in out of home care and need someone in their corner, a person who is there for them and is a consistent and caring adult in their life.
I support CASA because ----. As a CASA advocate, I have seen -------.
Thank you for your time."