ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico CASA Association has received a $20,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s (BCBSNM) Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® initiative. The grant will support the New Mexico CASA Association’s mission to develop and support local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs that provide volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children in foster care throughout New Mexico.
"We are very grateful to BCBSNM for their support of our work," said Veronica Montano-Pilch, interim executive director for the New Mexico CASA Association. "This grant will help us achieve our vision of a future where every foster child in New Mexico has access to the transformative support of a dedicated CASA volunteer working on behalf of their best interests to thrive and achieve safe and permanent homes."
The grant will support CASA in increasing the capacity of the local programs, including recruitment, training, deployment and support of CASA volunteers. This support ensures foster children are safe and receive the services and support they need to overcome adverse childhood experiences.
"We are proud to partner with the CASA Association," said Janice Torrez, BCBSNM president. "Their continued commitment to foster children's needs profoundly impacts their lives and ensures their voices are heard."
BCBSNM’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to invest in and partner with nonprofit organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs in nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management, and supporting safe environments. The New Mexico CASA Association's commitment to developing and supporting local programs throughout New Mexico that provide quality volunteer advocacy in court for abused and neglected children aligns with the vision of Healthy Kids, Healthy Families to improve the health of children and their families across New Mexico.
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About New Mexico CASA Association
The New Mexico CASA Association is the statewide association for the 13 local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs across the state of New Mexico. In partnership with the National CASA Association, the New Mexico CASA Association strategically establishes, promotes and supports the formation, recruitment, training, development, and activities of the local member programs in New Mexico that provide high quality volunteers to act as the Court Appointed Special Advocates for children and youth who come into the judicial system as a result of abuse or neglect, and to advocate for their best interests, so that every child can be safe, have a permanent home, and have the opportunity to thrive.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is one of the largest commercial health insurers in New Mexico with more than 710,000 New Mexicans carrying a Blue Cross and Blue Shield card. Since 1940, BCBSNM has been committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSNM is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.