(Middletown, NY)- State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) was honored last evening at an event in Albany which was hosted by Court Appointed Special Advocates of New York State (CASA). Senator Bonacic received the second annual Mary Rich Award for Distinguished Service in Child Advocacy.

Senator Bonacic has been a strong supporter of CASA during his time in the Legislature. For the past three legislative session, Senator Bonacic has sponsored and helped pass legislation in the Senate recognizing CASA as a program that provides vital support and advocacy for abused and neglected children. Senator Bonacic also successfully worked to have $875,000 included in the FY 2016-2017 Budget for the CASA program.

CASA is a volunteer program that provides 3,000 foster children with volunteer advocates before family court. There are currently 900 CASA volunteers in Family Court across 31 New York counties. For more information on CASA, please visit http://www.casanys.org/