Texas CASA

Annual Grants Webinar
2026-06-30 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
You’re invited to join the Texas CASA Grants Department Annual Webinar on:

📅 Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

💻 Location: Online via Zoom

🔗 Click here to register

This annual session will include updates and funding overview information for both the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants, along with guidance on the following key topics:

Topics Include:

Updates and Funding Overview

VOCA Application Timeline

VOCA Match

HHSC Application Timeline

Allocation Policies and Personnel Timesheets

Budgeting and Standardized Language

Due Dates and Timelines

Redistributions

Direct Grants

Whether you’re new to the grants process or a seasoned pro, this webinar will provide important updates and helpful guidance for your team.

We look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to reach out.

Weekly New ED Call
2026-07-01 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-07-08 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-07-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-07-22 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-07-29 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-08-05 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-08-12 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-08-19 09:00 - 10:00 and 1 more date

Sharpening Skills Webinar: Rooted
2026-07-08 12:00 - 13:00
🌳 CASA Webinar Series: Rooted

🖥️ Register in CASA College: https://casacollege.myabsorb.com/#/instructor-led-courses/e1b355c1-aa0a-4ba7-9c3f-000be54c7ba2

Theme: Rooted – Being steady, thoughtful, and grounded in the midst of a chaotic system.

This year-long webinar series is designed to support CASA volunteers in staying centered and effective as they navigate the complexities of child advocacy. Each quarter, we’ll explore a different way to stay rooted — in the case, the child, yourself and your instincts.

Q3: Rooted in Yourself – Preserving Mental Health and Energy in CASA Work

April 8, 2026

Your well-being is essential to your advocacy.

This webinar is a space for CASA volunteers and child advocates to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with their purpose. The work is meaningful—but it can also be emotionally demanding. Let’s talk about how to sustain your energy and mental health while showing up fully for the children you serve.

In this session, we’ll explore:

How to recognize signs of secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout.

Practical tools for setting boundaries, saying no, and checking in with yourself.

When and how to reach out for support from your supervisor or team.

You’ll leave with strategies to help you stay grounded, resilient, and rooted in your own well-being—because caring for yourself is part of caring for others.

———————

Q4: Rooted in Curiosity – Digging Deeper When Something Feels Off

July 8, 2026

Sometimes, it’s not what’s said—but what’s missing—that matters most.

This webinar is designed to help CASA volunteers and child advocates sharpen their instincts and investigative skills when something in a case doesn’t sit right. Learn how to follow your curiosity with care, clarity, and confidence.

In this session, we’ll cover:

How to recognize gaps, inconsistencies, or red flags in case information.

What to document and how to raise concerns constructively—without making accusations.

How to use patterns, subtle clues, and thoughtful questions to strengthen your advocacy.

You’ll leave with tools to help you dig deeper, ask better questions, and advocate more effectively—while staying grounded in curiosity and compassion.

All webinars are free, virtual, and open to CASA volunteers and staff. All webinars located in registration link through CASA College.

🖥️ Registration in CASA College: https://casacollege.myabsorb.com/#/instructor-led-courses/e1b355c1-aa0a-4ba7-9c3f-000be54c7ba2

📌 CEUs available upon completion

Stay grounded. Stay curious. Stay rooted.

CSE-IT Training
2026-07-09 09:30 - 12:30
This training will introduce and train CASA staff on the CSE-IT screening tool, which is designed to improve the early identification of youth who are experiencing or at risk for experiencing human trafficking. This training includes some introductory foundational information about human trafficking, an orientation to the tool, a description of CSE-IT indicators, scoring instructions, and next steps. Understanding the CSE-IT tool is a critical part of ACT advocacy. This training is only available to CASA Staff.

For more information, contact Torey Tipton at casaacts@texascasa.org.

Dates & Registration – Texas CASA

April 8th from 9:30-12:30

Register here

May 13th from 9:00-12:30

Register here

June 3rd from 9:00-12:30

Register here

Dates & Registration – Texas Network of Youth Services

July 9th from 9:00-12:30

Register here

August 19th from 9:00-12:30

Register here

September 24th from 9:00-12:30

Register here

October 28th from 9:00-12:30

Register here

HHSC Request for Reimbursement
2026-07-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-10 08:00 - 17:00

VOCA Quarterly Progress Report
2026-07-10 08:00 - 17:00

VOCA Request for Reimbursement
2026-07-15 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-15 08:00 - 17:00

Keep Calm and CASA On! Recruitment Zoom Chats
2026-07-15 13:15 - 14:15, 2026-08-19 13:15 - 14:15
Join the Texas CASA recruitment team and your fellow recruiters on the third Wednesday of each month for the Keep Calm and CASA On! recruitment Zoom calls. The calls will all be around general recruitment, but each one will have a different topic of focus. You’ll hear updates from Texas CASA, learn from guest speakers, and have plenty of time to chat with other recruiters about what they are doing in the world of recruitment.

You don’t need to pre-register for the Zoom call. Just sign on when it’s time. All calls will start at 1:15 p.m. CST. Below is the Zoom link to join or or call in at 1-346-248-7799

Meeting ID: 890 4179 0555

CFE Webinar
2026-07-16 08:00 - 17:00

Art of Facilitation for Pre-Service Training workshop
2026-07-16 09:00 - 15:00
Texas CASA is excited to announce dates for our next Art of Facilitation for Pre-Service Training workshop! This training is designed to introduce participants to the foundations of engaging and learning-centered facilitation, to explore creative and effective ideas for how to bring pre-service content to life and to build relationships across the CASA training community. During the hands-on component of this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to practice these skills by facilitating a short activity from pre-service training. After completing this workshop, participants will be qualified to lead pre-service training per National CASA’s standards. To learn more and register, click below.

register here

STAR Monthly Zoom
2026-07-27 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-08-31 12:00 - 13:30
The STAR Monthly Zoom meetings will be held on the last Monday of the month unless otherwise announced in Inside CASA or on the STAR listserv.

register here

CSE-IT Training
2026-08-19 09:30 - 12:30, 2026-09-24 09:30 - 12:30, 2026-10-28 09:30 - 12:30
This training will introduce and train CASA staff on the CSE-IT screening tool, which is designed to improve the early identification of youth who are experiencing or at risk for experiencing human trafficking. This training includes some introductory foundational information about human trafficking, an orientation to the tool, a description of CSE-IT indicators, scoring instructions, and next steps. Understanding the CSE-IT tool is a critical part of ACT advocacy. This training is only available to CASA Staff.

For more information, contact Torey Tipton at casaacts@texascasa.org.

Dates & Registration – Texas Network of Youth Services

August 19th from 9:00-12:30

Register here

September 24th from 9:00-12:30

Register here

October 28th from 9:00-12:30

Register here

CFE 201 Training
2026-08-20 13:00 - 16:00

ED/PD Quarterly Meeting
2026-08-21 08:00 - 17:00

Texas CASA Conference
2026-09-09 11:00 - 2026-09-11 12:00
REGISTER NOW

We are excited to be going back to San Marcos for the annual Texas CASA Conference on September 9-11, 2026! It’s been over a decade since we’ve been there, and we are happy to be able to enjoy their newly renovated convention center and all the new things the city has to offer. In addition to its growth, San Marcos was officially named a Bird City Texas community in January 2025 by Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

This year’s theme, Advocacy in Motion, reflects the active and ongoing work of CASA on behalf of children and families. We chose the hummingbird as a central element to the theme — small yet fiercely determined beings that travel great distances against all odds.

Similarly, CASA volunteers serve as steady advocates for children navigating the uncertainty of the foster care system, offering a voice, direction, and unwavering support. Just as the hummingbird’s presence symbolizes the strength to endure and the promise of renewal, CASA programs embody a commitment to helping children overcome hardship and move toward safety, healing, and a brighter future.

Dates: September 9-11, 2026 Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel Conference Center, 1001 E McCarty Ln, San Marcos, TX 78666 Audience: CASA staff, volunteers, and board members, and other child welfare stakeholders Registration Cost: $400 per person (For CASA programs in Texas, most expenses are allowable on both HHSC and VOCA grants.) Registration Dates: July 8 – August 12, 2026, or when the event reaches capacity, whichever comes firstLodging: A group block will be available at the conference hotel as well as an overflow hotel nearby. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and room types cannot be guaranteed. Multiple reservations under the same name will not be accepted so please have the list of names ready if you need multiple rooms. The cost for lodging is $189/night plus tax. Instructions to book your room will be included in your confirmation email once you register for conference.

read the FAQS

Meet our Keynote Speakers

Learn About All The Workshops and Speakers

Click the button below to learn about the conference workshops and presenters. Workshops are available on a first-come, first-served basis when you register for conference. Use the Workshop Selection Worksheet to help you organize which workshops you want to attend. You must be registered for a session in order to attend the session once you arrive at the conference. Keynote speakers and general sessions are automatically included in your registration.

VIEW THE WORKSHOPS

Nectar at Nightfall Gala & Dinner

Join us on Thursday evening for the Nectar at Nightfall gala and dinner. Just as hummingbirds gather nectar to sustain their remarkable journeys, this evening celebrates the people, relationships, and moments that sustain CASA programs and advocates in their work on behalf of children. Set against the backdrop of a twilight garden, the gala creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere where attendees can connect, reflect, and recharge while honoring the impact they make every day.

The visual palette draws from rich twilight hues including deep plum, indigo, violet, and midnight blue, accented with touches of gold, amber, and bright floral tones. Check out the Nectar at Nightfall Lookbook for inspiration on your gala ensemble.

The gala is included with your registration.

browse the lookbook

Pre-order CASA Swag

CASA of Lexington will be selling general CASA-branded swag as one of our many exhibitors. They will have limited options onsite so they are offering conference attendees the opportunity to pre-order items for free pick-up at their conference booth.

Browse their online store and place your order before August 24. Be sure to select the Conference Pick-up option at checkout.

Explore the City of San Marcos

Don’t miss all the city has to offer. The City of San Marcos is a bustling city with no shortage of attractions, shopping and dining. See all that the city has to offer at visitsanmarcos.com. We have partnered with the City of San Marcos to offer conference attendees their Deals and Discount pass which offers you deals at many restaurants, shops and other businesses around town. Sign up for their Deals and Discount pass here. We are beyond grateful to the City of San Marcos for their partnership to help make this conference one for the books!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Our 2026 Texas CASA Conference is shaping up to be an inspiring, statewide gathering of advocates united for children in foster care, and we invite you to be part of it as a sponsor! Sponsorship is a powerful way to show your commitment to our mission and gain meaningful visibility. We have sponsorship opportunities starting at $1,000, and all sponsorships include an Exhibitor booth, so check out our sponsorship packet and reach out to development@texascasa.org with any questions or inquiries!

FAQs

We’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions about the conference and the registration process to assist in your conference planning.

READ THE FAQS

REGISTER NOW

Thanks to our 2026 Conference Sponsors!

We hope to see you in San Marcos in September to honor the incredible work of the local CASA programs and to give you new tools and strategies to enhance your advocacy for children and families. Check out all the fun we had last time!
