CASA Youth Advocates Awarded $25,000 Grant from the Eagles Autism Foundation

Funding will strengthen support for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder involved in the child welfare system and expand training and resources across Delaware and Chester Counties

MEDIA, PA (Delaware County)  — CASA Youth Advocates (CASA), a nonprofit that recruits and trains community volunteers to advocate for children and youth involved in the child welfare system, announced it has been awarded a $25,000 community grant from the Eagles Autism Foundation. The grant will help CASA expand specialized advocacy and volunteer training for individuals who will support abused and neglected youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Delaware and Chester Counties, strengthening the system as they navigate dependency court, school systems, and services.

“This grant helps us close a critical gap for children who are navigating life with ASD and the trauma and instability that can come with foster care,” said Leigh Anne McKelvey, MSW, LSW, Executive Director of CASA Youth Advocates. “It will allow us to better equip the volunteers and professionals who show up for these children, so support is informed, consistent, and truly child centered.”

CASA’s project focuses on children diagnosed with ASD in the foster care system who often need professional diagnostic assessments, specialized educational supports, and coordinated advocacy across courts, schools, and care providers. CASA volunteer advocates provide individualized support and, when appointed by the court, can serve as Educational Decision Makers to help ensure children receive appropriate school-based services and supports. This grant is part of $10.8 million that the Eagles Autism Foundation committed to 54 research and community projects this year, including community partners across the region.

Thanks to the generosity of the Eagles Autism Foundation, CASA will:

• Develop an ASD training module for professionals in the child welfare space, including CASA volunteers and staff, social workers, court-appointed guardians, and peer nonprofit staff.

• Design and produce training materials to share with the 300+ members of CASA’s Voices for Children child welfare coalition and the Pennsylvania CASA network.

• Provide direct support for ASD-related needs through CASA’s CASA Cares fund, including items such as tablets and sensory tools.

• Help cover practical advocacy costs, including travel to schools and institutions, so advocates can attend meetings, coordinate supports, and help ensure plans are implemented.

The project also addresses a challenge child welfare and education professionals regularly face: recognizing when behaviors may be rooted in trauma, neurodivergence, or both, and ensuring children receive appropriate evaluations and support rather than being misunderstood or misdiagnosed. CASA will build and distribute training resources through its established regional networks and partnerships, with the goal of strengthening the capacity of professionals and volunteers who support ASD diagnosed children involved in the child welfare system.

This work was supported by a grant from the Eagles Autism Foundation.

About CASA Youth Advocates

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Youth Advocates empowers community volunteers to advocate for children and youth in the child welfare system, ensuring they have the resources, stability, and support needed to thrive. Serving Delaware and Chester Counties, CASA champions equity and permanency through individualized, court-appointed advocacy. In 2025, CASA served 322 children, with 98% of those under 18 achieving a permanent outcome. Volunteers also supported 164 youth as Educational Decision Makers and helped fulfill 100% of holiday wishes through community partnerships. Beyond direct advocacy, CASA leads coalitions like Voices for Children and Safer Schools Stronger Neighborhoods to drive systemic change. Founded in 1992, CASA continues to be a force for compassion, consistency, and equity in Southeastern Pennsylvania. For more information on CASA visit delcocasa.org.

About the Eagles Autism Foundation

The Eagles Autism Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for innovative autism research and care programs. By providing the necessary resources to doctors and scientists at leading institutions, we will be able to assist those currently affected by autism, as well as future generations. The Foundation aims to inspire and engage the community, so together, we can provide much-needed support to make a lasting impact in the field of autism. Please visit EaglesAutismFoundation.org.