SOMERS POINT –– A local branch of an organization that helps children got a recent boost from federal funding and is now looking to expand its reach.

Attorney General Anne Milgram announced Jan. 7 that programs providing direct services to the victims of crimes have received state and federal grants totaling $2.5 million through the Office of Victim Witness Advocacy in the Division of Criminal Justice.

“These grants will help ensure that victims and witnesses have the necessary support when they need it most, and ensure that the criminal justice system works with and for crime victims,” said Milgram whose office administers the grants.

CASA of Atlantic and Cape May counties was among 43 groups to receive federal Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. The program, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, received two grants totaling nearly $110,000 – one for each county.

Angela Waters, executive director of the local CASA office, said she was excited by the grant announcement.

“Last year we received a grant but this year they recognized that we serve two distinct communities,” she noted. “The impact is huge for us. It just makes such a difference.”

CASA is an organization that trains volunteers to advocate for children in the foster care system.

Waters said the grant money would go to support the group’s professional staff.

“This funding will help us train 60 new volunteers for a total of 200,” she said. “We are hoping to be able to serve 300 children in foster care.”

According to Waters, volunteers are assigned cases by family court judges to make sure children get all the services they need while in the system and to help them get into permanent homes as quickly as possible.

Volunteers serve an average of 8-10 hours a month at their convenience, she explained.

CASA is recruiting volunteers who must pass background checks and complete 30 hours of training to become qualified, she said.

For those interested in the program, a new training session is coming in March and CASA will be hosting an open house Jan. 17 and “One Future Found” office tours on Jan. 24 and Feb. 5 at 321 Shore Road in Somers Point.

“CASA is pleased to invite you to come learn more about our organization, our volunteers and the work that we do,” Waters said.

For more information, call (609) 601-7800 or visit http://www.atlanticcapecasa.org.

Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com