Best-Interest Advocacy

Best-Interest Advocacy refers to a CASA volunteer's legal responsibility to advocate for and make recommendations that prioritize the child's safety and well-being. This type of advocacy is based on the CASA volunteer's observations and trauma-informed assessment of a child and family's unique circumstances and needs. Best-Interest Advocacy believes that it is in a child's best interest to remain with and be connected to their parents and family of origin whenever possible and considers the child's physical, developmental and emotional needs, as well as the family strengths and available support or resources. CASA volunteers work closely with other professionals, including lawyers, social workers, educators and service providers to effectively ensure the child's best interest is addressed.

Featured Content

Normalcy Matters: A Guide to Supporting Children & Youth in Texas Foster Care

Texas CASA released the Normalcy Matters: A Guide to Supporting Children & Youth in Texas Foster Care with the hope that it will inform understanding of what normalcy is, why it matters and the important role each of us plays in supporting and promoting normalcy for young people in the Texas child welfare system.

This guidebook and companion video were developed by Texas CASA and funded by the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission to move the conversation about normalcy beyond simply allowing activities and to really changing the culture of foster care in Texas so that young people are empowered by a fuller range of options in their daily experience of life.

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Key Resources

Well-Being Advocacy

Health Advocacy

Educational Advocacy

Disability Advocacy