{"id":39817,"date":"2024-07-16T14:25:30","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T19:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/?post_type=resources&p=39817"},"modified":"2025-11-20T16:44:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T22:44:38","slug":"0-5-guia-de-promocion","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/program-portal\/resources\/0-5-advocacy-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"0-5 Program Guide (Online)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This guide has everything you, as a leader of a local CASA program in Texas, will need to know to get started with, or to enhance volunteer advocacy for, the infant and toddler population. The information shared here has been complied and provided by Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB), and their model Safe Babies Court and Infant and Toddler CASA program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The infant and toddler (zero to five) population is the largest group affected by maltreatment across the United States. In the state of Texas, approximately 47% of children in foster care are ages zero to five. This is the largest population that most CASA programs in Texas serve, so it is key for volunteers to understand the challenges and needs of this vulnerable population. CASA programs can expand services to address the specific needs of the infant and toddler population, and volunteers can support enhanced advocacy for this age group in various ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. CASA volunteers can recognize the early years are critical in early childhood development,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. They can advocate for children\u2019s health and medical care,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. They can observe children\u2019s cognitive and milestone development,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. They can facilitate connections between families of origin and foster families to build a support network, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. CASA volunteers can be trained to amplify the positive and help parents value the possible, in themselves and their children, during parent-child visits. By modeling during parent-child visitations, advocates can gently guide parents to support their children\u2019s optimal cognitive, emotional and social development.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    How to Use This Guide<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Scroll through the entire page to check out all of the available resources or use the section guide below to jump to specific areas of focus.<\/p>\n\n\n