Media Contacts

For all media requests, please contact our Communications team:

Madi Donham

External Communications Manager
Email: mdonham@texascasa.org
Office: (512) 610-6125

Communications Inbox

General Contact Email: communications@texascasa.org

News and Updates

Principal Foundation Launches Award Program to Honor Principal Financial Network Professionals Driving Community Impact
Originally published by Principal Foundation via PR Newswire. DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Principal® Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Principal Financial Group®, today awarded $205,000 to more […]
Read More Principal Foundation Launches Award Program to Honor Principal Financial Network Professionals Driving Community Impact
Local CASA Program Wishlists
For many of us, the holiday season is full of excitement, celebration, family, warmth and community. As we enjoy this time with loved ones, we hope you will remember the […]
Read More Local CASA Program Wishlists
A Year in Review with Texas CASA Staff
We asked our extraordinary staff: What are you most proud of accomplishing with Texas CASA in 2025? Deedra Baker, Chief Network Operations Officer I’m most proud of working alongside network programs […]
Read More A Year in Review with Texas CASA Staff
Goodbye to Sarah Crockett, Public Policy Director
After 11 years of incredible service, Public Policy Director Sarah Crockett will soon be leaving Texas CASA and starting a new adventure. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate […]
Read More Goodbye to Sarah Crockett, Public Policy Director
NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Awards Judge Piper McCraw for Outstanding Work in Child Welfare
(GEORGETOWN, Texas) – Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) honoredJudge Piper McCraw with the 2025 Texas CASA Judicial Innovation and LeadershipAward for the enduring difference she’s made in the lives […]
Read More NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Awards Judge Piper McCraw for Outstanding Work in Child Welfare
Staff Spotlight: Amanda Melancon, Learning and Education Specialist:
Amanda Melancon began her career as a middle school teacher and museum educator, where she discovered her love for creating engaging learning experiences and connecting with people. Today, she brings […]
Read More Staff Spotlight: Amanda Melancon, Learning and Education Specialist:
Staff Spotlight: Wilbert King, Grants Compliance Specialist
Wilbert King is the Grants Compliance Specialist at Texas CASA, and he began his professional career in the field of Contracts and Grants at the University of Texas at Austin. […]
Read More Staff Spotlight: Wilbert King, Grants Compliance Specialist
NEWS RELEASE: P.F. Chang’s to Host Statewide Fundraiser Benefiting CASA Programs on August 6
(TEXAS) – P.F. Chang’s and Texas CASA are teaming up for a first-of-its-kind statewide fundraising event to benefit children and youth in the Texas foster care system. On Wednesday, August […]
Read More NEWS RELEASE: P.F. Chang’s to Host Statewide Fundraiser Benefiting CASA Programs on August 6
Staff Spotlight: Stephanie Battaglia, Public Policy Specialist
Stephanie Battaglia is the Public Policy Specialist at Texas CASA. Stephanie has a bachelor’s degree in English with minors in Spanish and Legal Studies from the University of North Texas. […]
Read More Staff Spotlight: Stephanie Battaglia, Public Policy Specialist
89th Regular Legislative Session Concluded: Moving Forward as an Empowered and United CASA Network
Dear Friends, With the Governor’s veto deadline behind us, the 89th Regular Legislative Session has officially concluded. Thanks to the Texas CASA Public Policy Team and CASA legislative advocates across the state, […]
Read More 89th Regular Legislative Session Concluded: Moving Forward as an Empowered and United CASA Network
Welcome New Texas CASA Board Members
Our Board of Directors plays a vital role in guiding our governance, overseeing financial stewardship and ensuring Texas CASA has the resources needed to fulfill its mission. We are profoundly […]
Read More Welcome New Texas CASA Board Members
89th Legislative Session By the Numbers: What We Advocated For — And What We Won
Dear Friends, The 89th Texas Legislative Session has just come to a close, and it was unlike anything we’ve seen. Thousands of bills filed. Hundreds of hours of testimony. Countless […]
Read More 89th Legislative Session By the Numbers: What We Advocated For — And What We Won
Clergy CASA & Community Onboarding Kickoff
Clergy, CASA and Community (CCC) is an initiative by Texas CASA to build a network of faith communities and leaders to champion speaking up for local children in foster care […]
Read More Clergy CASA & Community Onboarding Kickoff
Staff Spotlight: Leslie Cocke, Advocacy Development Specialist
Leslie Cocke, JD, MA, is the Advocacy Development Specialist for Texas CASA, providing training, assistance and resources for best-interest advocacy for children in foster care to the 74 local CASA programs. […]
Read More Staff Spotlight: Leslie Cocke, Advocacy Development Specialist
NEWS RELEASE: Texas Bar Foundation Awards Texas CASA $25K for Juvenile Justice Advocacy
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is honored to be arecipient of a $25,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to fund its Justice InvolvedYouth (JIY) Pilot […]
Read More NEWS RELEASE: Texas Bar Foundation Awards Texas CASA $25K for Juvenile Justice Advocacy
NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Remains Strong as National Program Faces Federal Funding Cuts
AUSTIN, Texas – The Department of Justice (DOJ) withdrew federal grant funding from more than 360 agencies, including the National Court Appointed Special Advocates and Guardian ad Litem (National CASA/GAL), […]
Read More NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Remains Strong as National Program Faces Federal Funding Cuts
Welcome New Texas CASA Anti-Child Trafficking (ACT) Consultant
Torey Tipton is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a robust background in policy development, nonprofit strategy, and community engagement, firmly committed to advancing the mission of Texas CASA. With […]
Read More Welcome New Texas CASA Anti-Child Trafficking (ACT) Consultant
CASA Day at the Capitol 2025
On March 27, 2025, the CASA network rallied at the Texas State Capitol for CASA Day at the Capitol. The event brought together more than 280 members from 54 of […]
Read More CASA Day at the Capitol 2025
Texas CASA’s Collaborative Family Engagement Team Evolves
Texas CASA is proud and excited to announce the promotion of Catherine Herlich to Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Director and the hiring of Taylor Merrill as Collaborative Family Engagement Coach. […]
Read More Texas CASA’s Collaborative Family Engagement Team Evolves
NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Hosts Hundreds of Volunteers from Across Texas at 2025 CASA Day at the Capitol
AUSTIN, Texas – Hundreds of CASA volunteers from across Texas will gather at the Capitol on the morning of March 27, 2025, for CASA Day at the Capitol. Texas Court […]
Read More NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Hosts Hundreds of Volunteers from Across Texas at 2025 CASA Day at the Capitol
Registration Now Open for CASA Day at the Capitol 2025
Join the CASA network in Austin on March 27 for the 2025 CASA Day at the Capitol! Hundreds of CASA advocates from all over the state will be visiting their legislative […]
Read More Registration Now Open for CASA Day at the Capitol 2025
Texas CASA Welcomes New Website Development & Communications Specialist
Our former Web Development & Communications Intern, Thalia Wilson, has accepted a full-time position in our department as the Web Development & Communications Specialist! As the Web Development & Communications Specialist, she […]
Read More Texas CASA Welcomes New Website Development & Communications Specialist
Goodbye to Candice Dosman, Advocacy Initiatives Director
After almost 10 years of incredible service, Candice will soon be leaving Texas CASA and starting a new adventure across the pond in England. We want to take this opportunity […]
Read More Goodbye to Candice Dosman, Advocacy Initiatives Director
NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Welcomes New Chief External Relations Officer and In-House Counsel
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is thrilled to welcome two new employees to its Austin-based office: Chief External Relations Officer Larissa Cartwright and Lori Adelman, who […]
Read More NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Welcomes New Chief External Relations Officer and In-House Counsel
CFE Youth Journal Featuring Artwork Created by Youth Experiencing Foster Care
Last year, the Texas CASA Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) team produced an extra special youth journal featuring artwork created by youth who are currently in or have experienced foster care. […]
Read More CFE Youth Journal Featuring Artwork Created by Youth Experiencing Foster Care
New CASA ACT Toolkits Sent to Local Programs
Texas CASA is pleased to have released the ACT Toolkit at the Texas CASA Conference in October. Local programs received two toolkits each for use by their programs, with the goal […]
Read More New CASA ACT Toolkits Sent to Local Programs
New Guidebook: CASA Advocacy for Dual-Status Youth, Understanding the Juvenile Justice System
We are excited to share a new online and printable resource available on the Texas CASA website: CASA Advocacy for Dual-Status Youth, Understanding the Juvenile Justice System.
Read More New Guidebook: CASA Advocacy for Dual-Status Youth, Understanding the Juvenile Justice System
NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Awards Lawmakers John Lujan and John Cornyn for Commitment to Children and Families
GALVESTON, Texas – Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) honored State Representative John Lujan and U.S. Senator John Cornyn with the 2024 Big Voices for Little Texans award during the […]
Read More NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Awards Lawmakers John Lujan and John Cornyn for Commitment to Children and Families
NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Honors Judge Laurie Blake for Outstanding Work in Child Welfare Case
Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) honored Judge Laurie Blake with the Texas CASA Judicial Innovation and Leadership Award for her decades of work on child welfare cases.
Read More NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Honors Judge Laurie Blake for Outstanding Work in Child Welfare Case
Texas CASA Data Team Developments
What are some ways you plan to improve the data managing system for local programs in your new role? Texas CASA has been working to automate the process for reporting […]
Read More Texas CASA Data Team Developments
Thank you to Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair & Beauty for your Fall Fundraiser to support Texas CASA
For the eighth year in a row, Janet St. Paul and her staff at the Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair & Beauty are raising funds for the vital work […]
Read More Thank you to Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair & Beauty for your Fall Fundraiser to support Texas CASA
Save the Date for CASA Day at the Capitol!
Join the CASA network in Austin on March 27, 2025, for the 2025 CASA Day at the Capitol! Hundreds of CASA advocates from all over the state will be visiting their […]
Read More Save the Date for CASA Day at the Capitol!
Meet Our New Social Impact Specialist: Sydney Hoffman
Sydney Hoffman is a nonprofit professional who recently relocated to Austin from Atlanta, Georgia. She is honored and excited to join Texas CASA as the Social Impact Specialist. Sydney has […]
Read More Meet Our New Social Impact Specialist: Sydney Hoffman
Children and Youth Missing from DFPS Conservatorship & Human Trafficking Data Report from the Department of Family and Protective Services
This report details both the number of children who are missing from the children’s substitute care provider as well as the number of children who were victims of human trafficking while in […]
Read More Children and Youth Missing from DFPS Conservatorship & Human Trafficking Data Report from the Department of Family and Protective Services
Public Policy Updates
Legislative Priorities for the 89th Session We are pleased to share with you the Texas CASA Legislative Priorities for the 89th Session! Thank you to all who submitted responses to the […]
Read More Public Policy Updates
Texas CASA Hosts Judicial Reception to Honor Outstanding Texas Judge
Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) honored Harris County Judge Angela Graves-Harrington with the Texas CASA Judicial Innovation and Leadership Award on Monday, Oct. 23 in Georgetown, Texas. The award […]
Read More Texas CASA Hosts Judicial Reception to Honor Outstanding Texas Judge
74th CASA Program Announcement
We are beyond excited to announce that the 74th Texas program of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is calling Milam County home this fall! CASA of Milam County will recruit, […]
Read More 74th CASA Program Announcement
Distinguished Speaker Series Videos Featuring Prominent Texas Judges
Texas CASA is thrilled to announce the launch of the Distinguished Speaker Series – Advocacy from the Bench 2023. This year’s series features four honorable judges from across Texas including […]
Read More Distinguished Speaker Series Videos Featuring Prominent Texas Judges
Texas CASA Welcomes 6 New Board Members
Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is proud towelcome six new members to our Board of Directors: Jessica Cawthorn, Tracey Hull,Elena Villaseñor Sullivan, Mike Viola, Mandy Wright, and Debbie Jensen. […]
Read More Texas CASA Welcomes 6 New Board Members
Texas CASA Hosts CFE Symposium to Grow Family Engagement in the Lives of Children & Youth in Foster Care
Texas CASA, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Child Protective Services (CPS), and Community-Based Care contractors will meet starting Wednesday, May 3, at the Denton Convention Center for […]
Read More Texas CASA Hosts CFE Symposium to Grow Family Engagement in the Lives of Children & Youth in Foster Care

TEXAS CASA IN THE NEWS

New Laws Create More Oversight, Accountability for Texas Private Foster Care Contractors

WFAA-TV

Interview with Deedra Baker, Texas CASA Chief Network Services Officer

Spectrum News

Faith communities and foster children

Longview News-Journal

Arresting children in foster care adds to their trauma

Houston Chronicle

Texas foster cares begs for reform, volunteers

San Antonio Express News

With schools closed, families need your support

Houston Chronicle

We Need to Ensure that No Child Is Left Isolated

The Baytown Sun

Let’s keep unhoused families together during the pandemic

Austin American- Statesman

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Austin-based Texas CASA is the statewide organization of local CASA programs that recruit and train volunteers to advocate for children and families in the child protection system. Texas CASA supports the local CASA programs by advocating for effective public policy for children and families in the child welfare system and by providing funding, training and technical assistance to program staff, board and volunteers.

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