(1) For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
"Local CASA program" means a CASA program established in a judicial district, orany two or more judicial districts, pursuant to section 19-1-202.
"Office of the child's representative" means the office of the child's representativecreated in section 13-91-104.
"State CASA entity" means the nonprofit entity that has entered into a contract withthe office of the child's representative as described in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The office of the child's representative shall contract with a nonprofit entity that is in good standing with the national CASA association to enhance the CASA program in Colorado. The state CASA entity shall:
Aid and develop local CASA programs in each judicial district or in adjacent judicialdistricts;
Ensure that local CASA programs adhere to state and national CASA standards;
Ensure the provision and availability of high-quality accessible training for local
CASA programs and volunteers;
Seek to enhance existing funding sources, develop private-public partnership funding, and study the availability of new funding sources for the provision of high-quality local CASA programs in each judicial district or in adjacent judicial districts.
Beginning July 1, 2019, and at least annually thereafter, the office of the child'srepresentative shall allocate money appropriated to the state judicial department for CASA programs to the state CASA entity for allocation to local CASA programs. The state CASA entity shall report to the office of the child's representative regarding its duties described in subsection (2) of this section within one month before receiving an allocation.
The state CASA entity, in consultation with local CASA programs, shall annuallyestablish a formula for the allocation of money appropriated and shall allocate money to the local CASA programs in accordance with the established allocation formula. The allocation formula must be provided to the office of the child's representative no later than June 15, 2019, and each June 15 thereafter, prior to the state CASA entity receiving its annual allocation. On a schedule described in the contract, but at least annually, the state CASA entity shall provide to the office of the child's representative a certification from each local CASA program of the amount that program received from each allocation since the prior certification.
On or before November 1, 2020, and on or before November 1 each year thereafter,the state CASA entity shall report its activities and the activities of each local CASA program to the office of the child's representative.
(a) The state court-appointed special advocate fund, referred to in this subsection (6) as the "fund", is hereby created in the state treasury. The fund consists of money credited to the fund pursuant to subsection (6)(b) of this section and any other money that the general assembly may appropriate or transfer to the fund. The state treasurer shall credit all interest and income derived from the deposit and investment of money in the fund to the fund. The money in the fund is subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly to the state judicial department for the purposes of funding local CASA programs established in each judicial district, or in adjacent judicial districts, pursuant to this part 2, and the enhancement of local CASA programs. Any money not appropriated remains in the fund and shall not be transferred or revert to the general fund at the end of any fiscal year.
(b) The office of the child's representative may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources to fund the work of the state CASA entity. The office of the child's representative shall transmit all money received through gifts, grants, or donations to the state treasurer, who shall credit the money to the fund.
Source: L. 2019: Entire section added, (HB 19-1282), ch. 312, p. 2813, § 1, effective May 28.