The CASA Voice
The CASA Voice is your go-to source for spotlights on the life-changing work that Texas CASA, the 72 local CASA volunteer advocacy programs, our child welfare partners, sponsors and supporters are doing to ensure a safe, positive future for all Texas children and families.
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Foster Care as a Support to Families, Not a Substitute for ParentsBy Vicki Spriggs, Texas CASA CEOEach May, we observe National Foster Care Month, taking the time to raise awareness of the 400,000+ children and youth in foster care across the country. This year’s theme is Foster Care as a Support to Families, Not a Substitute for Parents.It’s an unfortunate...May 3, 2021 -
Guidance on Supporting Youth & Young Adults in Foster Care through the Pandemic with Division XIn December 2020, Congress enacted into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which includes a provision called Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic (known as “Division X”).Division X allows for increased, temporary funding and opportunities for extended foster care, return to care or participation in the Education and...May 3, 2021 - “The Imagination Report” – A Poem by Ebony StewartEbony Stewart, an internationally touring poet and performance artist, partnered with us and wrote this powerful poem and call to action: “The Imagination Report.” Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Read the poem or watch the video voiced by Ebony below.The Imagination ReportSo...May 3, 2021
- Texas CASA Champion Bill Spotlight: Helping Young Adults Exiting Foster Care Keep Their Critical Health CoverageLearn about an important bill we’re championing this 87th Legislative Session: SB 1059/HB 2963!SB 1059: RELATING TO THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING THE MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN FORMER FOSTER CARE YOUTH.Author: Sen. PaxtonCompanion: HB 2963About: Bill History/Bill SummaryFor youth formerly in foster care, creates a streamlined process for determining eligibility...May 3, 2021
- Golden Crescent CASA’s Letter Writing Campaign for Parents Behind BarsThe CASA network operates under the belief that the vast majority of parents love their children and advocates to keep families connected whenever safe and possible, whatever the circumstances of the case may be. CASA volunteers with Golden Crescent CASA in Victoria recently put this into practice in an...May 3, 2021
- 5 Tools to Help Everyday People Understand Foster CareMay is National Foster Care Month. What better time to raise awareness of the fact that there are more than 400,000 young people currently in foster care in the U.S.—nearly 48,000 of whom are here in Texas?If you’re a CASA volunteer or otherwise already involved in the child welfare...May 3, 2021
- Happy Mother’s Day! Texas CASA Staff Share Their Favorite MemoriesIn celebration of Mother’s Day on May 9, Texas CASA staff members are sharing some of their wonderful memories with their mothers and mother figures.Growing up, my mom would hand make every Halloween costume for my sister and me. From more traditional costumes like Minnie Mouse or a bumble...May 3, 2021
- Opinion: Arresting Children in Foster Care Adds to Their TraumaOp-ed by Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs"For kids in foster care, one trauma-induced outburst can lead to a lifelong entanglement with the criminal justice system — a system that costs taxpayers billions every year. Many of these children have spent their lives at the mercy of circumstances beyond their...May 3, 2021
- Conversations with CASA – Supporting Child Survivors of Traffickinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEYGAqQugDYIn this episode, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs talks with Minta Moore, Founder and Executive Director of New Life Refuge Ministries. In 2011, Minta founded New Life Refuge Ministries with a three-part mission of Refuge, Education and Partnerships: a Refuge of long-term therapeutic care for child survivors, Education for...May 3, 2021
- DFPS Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Report on Child Maltreatment FatalitiesThe Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has published their Fiscal Year 2020 report on child fatalities. This report is a difficult read each year, but it’s important information to have as we continue to advocate for a brighter Texas, a safer system, and better support for...April 6, 2021
- Conversations with CASA – Chadwick Sapenter“We are thirsty for hope. We are looking to be poured into. We are looking to be believed in. … It’s as simple as this: finding the silver lining in their dark cloud.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evya3HT1B9oTexas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs talks with Chadwick Sapenter, investor, entrepreneur and Texas CASA board member.Chadwick is...April 6, 2021
- Making the Most of Virtual Visits with the Children You ServeIt has been a little over one year since the first case of COVID-19 here in Texas, which brought the start of physical distancing and virtual advocacy. CASA volunteers of all ages, skills and circumstances are using technology to stay connected with children and families, and some find they...April 6, 2021
- Called to Serve: Texas CASA’s Faith-Based Recruitment InitiativeEvery major religion shares common tenets expressed in different words, and in every religion, prayers, stories and metaphors express the universal calling: To lead a moral, virtuous life, we must value and care for all people, including those less fortunate than ourselves. Knowing that many CASA volunteers come to...April 6, 2021
- CASA on the Go: Special Episode Featuring Kevin Campbell & Vicki SpriggsThis special episode of our CASA on the Go podcast comes from our 2020 Distinguished Speaker Series, where we had the amazing opportunity to host conversations with trailblazers in equity and child welfare. In this episode, Kevin Campbell, developer of the Family Finding model, and Texas CASA CEO Vicki...April 6, 2021
- Texas CASA Testifies Before House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family IssuesTexas CASA Senior Public Policy Associate Sarah Crockett and Health Policy Associate Bryan Mares testified before the House Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee on March 29 to support top-priority legislation for Texas CASA, including; Texas CASA Champion Bill HB 2058 by Representative Stephanie Klick, which would require judges...April 6, 2021
- Texas CASA Champion Bill Spotlight: Better Preparing Youth for Life After Foster CareNow that the 87th Texas Legislature is well underway, let’s explore some of the legislation we’re championing this session. Today, we’re featuring HB 2632/SB 1084.HB 2632: IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH WHO ARE OLDER & TRANSITIONING OUT OF FOSTER CARE.Author: Rep. MinjarezCompanion: SB 1084About: Bill History/Bill SummaryEnsure youth and young adults have...April 6, 2021
- You Can Help Prevent Child Abuse & NeglectBy Vicki Spriggs, Texas CASA CEOApril is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Would you believe me if I told you that every single one of us can help prevent child abuse and neglect—and that many of you are already doing so?The fact is that stress in its many forms...April 5, 2021
- Fort Bend Leading the Way with a Trauma-Informed Approach to Child WelfareOp-ed by Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs"Many parents involved with the child welfare system may have previously experienced trauma in their childhoods and lives that led to their own children ending up in a neglectful or abusive situation.We often see this as a generational cycle.And we believe cycles can...April 5, 2021
- Engaging Young People in Conversation Using PoetryApril is National Poetry Month, and we wanted to take this opportunity to share some favorite poems that young people love and respond to.If you’re a CASA volunteer visiting with a child over video chat or in person, bringing a poem to read to or with the child and...April 5, 2021
- Snail Mail Keeps Kids in Fort Bend County Connected & CreativeWe’re featuring a CASA program that is making an amazing difference for the children and families they serve using the original socially distanced communication medium… snail mail, or postal mail!For years, Child Advocates of Fort Bend has been going above and beyond for the children they serve by offering...April 5, 2021
- Conversations with CASA - Karyn ScottIn this episode of Conversations with CASA, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs talks with Care2Rock Founder and CEO Karyn Scott.https://youtu.be/7_aPlLE5z5sAs a former juvenile prosecutor and CASA volunteer, Karyn is passionate about connecting children in foster care to music mentorship. Care2Rock is an online music lessons platform that matches instructors...March 2, 2021
- CASA on the Go Podcast: The Impact of Gender Norms with Riki WilchinsThis special episode of CASA on the Go comes from our Distinguished Speaker Series, where we had the amazing opportunity to host conversations with trailblazers in equity and child welfare. This episode features Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs and Riki Wilchins, Executive Director of TrueChild, discussing gender norms and...March 2, 2021
- Texas CASA Debuts New Collaborative Family Engagement Explainer VideosThe very first video we did about Collaborative Family in 2016 featured cartoon bears and balloons to explain why searching for, and including, family members in the foster care and permanency planning process is so important. We’ve come a long from introducing CFE through those bears!https://youtu.be/m3J_Oe20FngWe are excited to...March 2, 2021
- You Can Still Participate in CASA Day at the Capitol!Due to the historic Winter Storm Uri, CASA Day at the Capitol did not go the way any of us expected, but we are still making an impact and ensuring CASA’s voice is heard!Many who had planned to participate in our virtual Capitol Day on Feb. 16-17 were not...March 2, 2021
- My Social Work Journey: Candice Dosman, Texas CASA Collaborative Family Engagement DirectorTo celebrate National Social Work Month, we sat down with Texas CASA Collaborative Family Engagement Director Candice Dosman to learn about her educational and professional journey. Candice is on track to graduate with her Master of Social Work degree this June.Candice the day of her interview for her position...March 2, 2021
- #CASAintheCommunity: How CASA of Travis County Mobilized for Children & Families During the Winter StormIn the wake of a historic winter storm that pummeled Texas communities and left many people without power, water and other essentials, CASA of Travis County was able to swiftly mobilize their Austin-area volunteers and community partners to provide essential supplies to children and families suffering from cold, hunger...March 2, 2021
- Texas CASA Champion Bill Spotlight: Expanding Medicaid Coverage for Peer Support Services for Older YouthNow that the 87th Texas Legislature is well underway, let’s explore some of the legislation we’re championing this session. Today, we're featuring HB 1413/SB 662.HB 1413: RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF RULES REGARDING THE PROVISION OF PEER SUPPORT SERVICES TO PERSONS OLDER THAN A CERTAIN AGE AND THE PROVISION OF...March 2, 2021
- Stories of Change in Action: Part 3Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Learn how legislative and policy issues translate to real-life, positive change for Texans.Meet DaShaun, Micah and Daniel!*7-year-old twin brothers DaShaun and Micah have moved foster homes four times in the past year. They’re stressed out and they need some stability!One day, DaShaun...March 2, 2021
- Strength, Solidarity & Community During Winter Storm UriBy Vicki Spriggs, Texas CASA CEOMy Dear Community,As I greet a gorgeous, sunny day here in Austin, I find it hard to wrap my mind around the fact that just two weeks ago, I was battling intermittent power outages during freezing temperatures and boiling my drinking water.Last month’s winter...March 2, 2021
- New Podcast: Special Episode of CASA on the Go Featuring Dr. Jessica PryceThis special episode of CASA on the Go comes from our Distinguished Speaker Series, where we had the amazing opportunity to host conversations with trailblazers in equity and child welfare. This episode features Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs and Dr. Jessica Pryce, Executive Director of the Florida Institute for...February 22, 2021
- Conversations with CASA - MiShon Landry, CDPIn the latest episode of Conversations with CASA, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs talks about diversity, equity and inclusion with MiShon Landry, CDP, CEO of the Inclusive Leadership Institute and Texas CASA Board Member.https://youtu.be/ill1damgWpMMiShon is a Certified Diversity Professional with over a decade of experience in people, program, project...February 22, 2021
- 5 Recommendations for Allies Who Want to “Do the Work” During Black History MonthFebruary, Black History Month, is a time when we honor and recognize the accomplishments and history of Black Americans.How can those of us who are not Black, but who strive to be allies to this community, meaningfully and respectfully celebrate Black history? As CPS Disproportionality Manager Tanya Rollins put...February 2, 2021
- Read Texas CASA’s 2020 Impact ReportWe could not do the work we do without each and every one of you. Your courage and dedication continue to push us closer to ensuring our vision of a safe and positive future for all Texas children and families. The challenges of this past year inspired the CASA...February 2, 2021
- Stories of Change in Action: Part 2Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Learn how legislative and policy issues translate to real-life, positive change for Texans.Meet Ava and Lydia!*Meet Ava and Lydia. Ava has been in long-term foster care since she was a little girl, and has moved through many foster families and other placements....February 2, 2021
- Ronika's StoryWe recently had the opportunity to sit down with an amazing young woman, Ronika Allen, and her former CASA volunteer, Eloise Hudson, who advocated for her with CASA of Central Texas. Ronika grew up in and out of the foster care system from age 7 up until she turned...February 2, 2021
- Advocating for Happy, Healthy Relationships for Teens in Foster CareBy Vicki Spriggs, Texas CASA CEOFebruary is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Did you know that one out of every three U.S. adolescents experiences some type of physical or emotional dating abuse before they reach adulthood?This statistic is even higher for youth in foster care, who are...February 2, 2021
- New Podcast Episode! Best Practices for Addressing Family ViolenceDomestic violence impacts many families involved in the child welfare system, and this is an area where CASA volunteers can make a powerful impact through informed recommendations about appropriate services, resources and supports. In this episode of CASA on the Go, we're joined by Claire Sudolsky from the Texas...January 7, 2021
- Even More Vulnerable: How CASA Volunteers Can Advocate for Youth in Foster Care Who Become Involved with Juvenile JusticeYouth in foster care become involved with the juvenile justice system much more often than their peers, and once they do, they are at an even higher risk of negative outcomes. These youth—commonly referred to as crossover, dually-involved, dually-adjudicated, dual-system, or multi-system youth—require a unique approach.In this article, we’re...January 5, 2021
- 3 Themes from 2020 to Take Into the New YearBy Vicki Spriggs, Texas CASA CEODear CASA Community,Happy New Year!Many people view this time of year as a fresh start. A time to refocus, develop resolutions and goals, and let go of the past and what’s been holding us back. This is especially true for many of us right...January 4, 2021
- Advocacy for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Coursehttps://www.youtube.com/embed/7DdnG3JK2vsWorking together, Dallas CASA and Saving Innocence, a Los Angeles-based advocacy organization, developed the Advocacy for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children e-course. This free e-learning course will equip you to identify young people who are victims of trafficking, understand the unique needs of these survivors and provide them with the...December 21, 2020
- Jan. 25 Webinar: Innovations in Advocacy to Combat Child Sex TraffickingInterested in learning how your CASA program can take its advocacy to the next level for survivors of trafficking? Join us on Jan. 25, 2021, from 2-3:30 p.m. central, for Innovations in Advocacy to Combat Child Sex Trafficking, a webinar hosted by Dallas CASA Program Director Chad Frymire and...December 21, 2020
- Watch “I Stopped Counting” Featuring Survivor Leader T. OrtizContent warning: This film deals heavily with the issue of child sex trafficking.https://youtu.be/a6TWGwxKn8cJanuary is National Human Trafficking Awareness month. Watch Dallas CASA’s powerful short film, “I Stopped Counting,” featuring anti-trafficking activist and survivor leader T. Ortiz speaking about the difference her CASA volunteer made in her life.BACK TO THE CASA...December 21, 2020
- Mark Your Calendars for Virtual CASA Day at the Capitol!We’re not letting the pandemic get in the way of CASA having a strong presence during the legislative session! This year, CASA Day at the Capitol will be a two-day, online-only event on Feb. 16-17, 2021.On Feb. 16, we will host a training webinar where we will provide updates...December 21, 2020
- Join Us for the Final LAT Webinar on Jan. 15The final Legislative Advocacy Team Webinar will be on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. This webinar will be a virtual panel discussion with legislative staff and Capitol insiders who will talk through what the 87th Legislative Session will look like. View past webinars, and register for Jan. 15, on our...December 21, 2020
- Bookmark the 87th Session Bill Tracker!The Bill Tracker for the 87th Legislative Session is now live! We will update the tracker regularly as legislators continue filing their bills. Be sure to also review Texas CASA’s Priorities for the 87th Legislature and email the Public Policy team at publicpolicy@texascasa.org if you have any questions about...December 21, 2020
- Stories of Change in Action: Part 1Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Learn how legislative and policy issues translate to real-life, positive change for Texans.Meet Carlos and JoJo!*Carlos was appointed as 10-year-old JoJo’s CASA volunteer after JoJo was removed from home during his parents’ struggle with substance use.A lot is uncertain right now for...December 21, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - Susan McDowellTexas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs talks with Susan McDowell, CEO of LifeWorks Austin, a nonprofit that is a fearless advocate for youth and families seeking self-sufficiency.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xvagxR520MLifeWorks has more than 50 years' experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults and young parents. Today,...December 21, 2020
- 2020: A Year in ReviewBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASADear CASA Community,Recently, I got to thinking about one word or phrase that would best sum up 2020 to me. You might think pandemic, loneliness, social distancing. But the word I landed on was growth.Not what you were expecting? Other words like whirlwind,...December 1, 2020
- Let's Keep Unhoused Families Together During the Pandemic - Opinion Piece from Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs"Unfortunately, homelessness is likely to be one of the most long-lasting and detrimental effects of the pandemic. And with that, a potential crisis in children entering the foster care system may ensue, unless we take preventative action now."In this opinion piece for the Austin American-Statesman, Texas CASA CEO Vicki...November 30, 2020
- 5 Ways You Can Support CASA Over the HolidaysIt’s the season of giving! Did you know that there are actually a variety of ways to give to Texas CASA and the CASA community beyond a traditional, one-time donation? Check it out!Local CASA Program Wishlists: If you’re looking to make a direct impact in your local community (and...November 30, 2020
- Watch Our Distinguished Speaker Series (& Catch Professor Kendi’s Episode Before It’s Gone!)Over the course of four weeks, Texas CASA had the amazing opportunity to host conversations with trailblazers in equity and child welfare: Dr. Jessica Pryce, Riki Wilchins, Kevin Campbell and Professor Ibram X. Kendi.Each of these speakers offered eye-opening and candid insight into our child welfare system and how...November 30, 2020
- 2020 Big Voices for Little Texans® Awardshttps://youtu.be/HEOaeemRvH0After every Texas legislative session, Texas CASA considers which legislators have played the most significant role in advancing the interests of children in foster care. We have a special recognition for these legislators, our Big Voices for Little Texans® award.The week of Nov. 16, with our partner Amerigroup, we...November 30, 2020
- CASA Featured in New York Times ColumnEach year, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof’s “holiday gift guide” column helps bridge a philanthropic gap: readers who want to help society but don’t know the best way how, and heroic individuals and organizations who need resources and support but are not on donors’ radar.In this year’s column,...November 30, 2020
- Every Child Has a Family: Stories of Successful Searches from Galveston CountyValerie Delgado, Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Lead with CASA of Galveston County, recently reached out to us with two stories from her work on the ground that we can’t help but share.JavierJavier* came into foster care as a teenager. All signs had been pointing to Javier successfully reunifying with...November 30, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - Hunter BeatonTexas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs talks with 19-year-old Hunter Beaton, the Founder & CEO of Day 1 Bags, a fast-growing nonprofit that provides high-quality bags for children entering the foster care system.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRozjTMGNB0When Hunter was 15, he dedicated his Eagle Scout project to helping children in foster care after he...November 30, 2020
- Texas CASA's Guiding PrinciplesStarting in 2019, Texas CASA’s staff undertook a year-long learning process about equity, privilege and oppression within society and its systems. We have since been implementing new equity practices into our operations and frequent equity conversations into our culture.In 2020, we developed Texas CASA’s Guiding Principles. These principles, agreed-upon...November 30, 2020
- Keeping Our Movement ConnectedBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASADear CASA Community,I hope this finds you well and continuing to prioritize compassionate care for yourself, your communities, and the children and families we serve as we move into the eighth month of this challenging pandemic. Every act of care counts and keeps...November 4, 2020
- Helping Anna Become Her Best Self: Oscar’s StoryOscar Orellana started his career working at a group home, and has since spent much of his professional life working with vulnerable youth in the realms of foster care, mental health and disability. He’s worked with many young who were struggling with their identities over the years—which is something...November 3, 2020
- Resources to Help Adoptive Families ThriveNovember is National Adoption Month. CASA volunteers stay by a child’s side throughout the case, advocating first for reunification with the child's parent(s) when safe and possible. If reunification is not safe or possible, CASA volunteers will advocate for the child to be adopted by, or live with, other...November 3, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - Katie Olse & Candice DosmanThis episode features Katie Olse, CEO of the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services, and Candice Dosman, Texas CASA Collaborative Family Engagement Director.https://youtu.be/F9Y1nJ47l_QThe Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services is a nonprofit membership organization made up of organizations that provide services to children in the foster care...November 3, 2020
- Texas CASA Honors 3 Judges for Leadership & InnovationEach year, Texas CASA hosts a cocktail reception during the Texas Child Welfare Judges Conference to thank the judges for their support of CASA, honor their work for children and families, and applaud their achievements and innovation. This year, we went virtual, with the support and partnership of the...November 3, 2020
- Mobilizing Faith Communities for the Good of Children & FamiliesBishop Aaron Blake was the pastor of a small church in Brownwood, Texas. He and his wife Mary were also foster parents. Bishop Blake knew that there was a need for more foster families in their community so that children did not have to be moved away from their...November 3, 2020
- Distinguished Speaker Series Continues Nov. 5 with Riki WilchinsThe second episode of our Distinguished Speaker Series airs this Thursday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. central and features Riki Wilchins. Riki Wilchins has 25 years of experience in research, policy change, and program development on issues of race, gender and equity. She is the author of six books on gender theory and politics...November 3, 2020
- New Distinguished Speaker Series Launches Oct. 29Texas CASA is excited to launch the Distinguished Speakers Series, a new, advocacy-focused learning opportunity for the CASA network and other community partners involved in the child welfare system. The multi-part series will feature high-caliber speakers sharing their expertise on topics and issues impacting the child welfare system and...October 6, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - The upEND MovementThis episode of Conversations with CASA features Kristen Weber, Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice at the Center for the Study of Social Policy, and Alan J. Dettlaff, Dean of the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston, who co-lead the newly launched upEND movement. The...October 5, 2020
- Continuing to Care for Ourselves & Each OtherBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASADear CASA Community,I want to bring your attention to some bright news in the middle of this challenging time. A very important and potentially transformative bill was recently passed by U.S. Congress: S. 2661, or the “National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020.”This...October 5, 2020
- 5 Children’s Books to Help with Conversations about Domestic ViolenceOctober is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. When kiddos are exposed to domestic violence in the home, it can be hard to know how, and when, to talk to them about it. These children’s books may make these conversations a little bit easier for CASA volunteers, parents, foster parents...October 5, 2020
- Trick-or-Treat? Fun, Safe Halloween Celebration Ideas for FamiliesDoes your family celebrate Halloween? Do you have kids who love to dress up, go trick-or-treating, get spooked and fill up on candy?With COVID-19 and physical distancing, festivities will have to look different this year, especially in high-risk zones. Whether you’re a parent, foster parent or kinship caregiver, here...October 5, 2020
- The Road to Recovery: How CASA Volunteers Can Support People Struggling with Substance Use DisorderMany of us working with children and families in the child welfare system see the prevalence of parental substance use in child removal cases. In fact, according to Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) data, in 2017, parental substance use was a contributing factor in 68% of child...October 5, 2020
- DFPS Releases Strategic Plan for the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)Skip to a specific section of this summary:Background on the FFPSA | What the DFPS Strategic Plan Tells Us | What's Next?The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) released its strategic plan for the Federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) in September 2020. The plan outlines options available to the legislature...October 5, 2020
- New Podcast Episode: Advocating for Youth with DisabilitiesHow can CASA volunteers skillfully advocate for youth with disabilities? On this episode of CASA on the Go, we're joined by Heidi Lersch, Educator and Training Coordinator, and Rashid Amrani-Khaldi, Community Engagement Specialist, with The SAFE Alliance's Disability Services - sharing strategies for how CASA volunteers can work to...September 2, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - Bryan MaresTexas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs and Public Policy Fellow Bryan Mares discuss medical advocacy for children in the foster care system in this edition of Conversations with CASA. The two dive into the heightened medical and mental health challenges children in foster care face compared to those not in...September 2, 2020
- Register for the Texas CASA Legislative Advocacy Webinar Series!Texas CASA's Public Policy team is conducting monthly webinars leading up to the 87th Legislative Session, which will convene in January 2021. These webinars will touch on CASA legislative advocacy topics – from our legislative priorities to the nuts and bolts of what Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATs) do during...September 1, 2020
- New Dallas CASA Short Film: "I Stopped Counting" Featuring Survivor Leader T. Ortiz“When you involve yourself in a child’s life - you change everything.”Watch Dallas CASA's powerful new short film, "I Stopped Counting," featuring anti-trafficking activist and survivor leader T. Ortiz speaking about the difference her CASA volunteer made in her life.Content warning: This film deals heavily with the issue of child...September 1, 2020
- NEW! Health Advocacy GuideHow CASA Volunteers Can Support Medical & Mental Healthcare for Children in Foster CareIntroducing our new Health Advocacy Guide!The advocacy of CASA volunteers is vital to promoting the well-being and health of children and youth in foster care. Texas CASA wants to ensure that volunteers have the most up-to-date...September 1, 2020
- Moving Our Advocacy ForwardBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASADear CASA Community,We’ve got lots of new, timely and exciting resources for you this month, so I’ll get straight to the point!First, we’re proudly releasing the Texas CASA Health Advocacy Guide: How CASA Volunteers Can Support Medical & Mental Healthcare for Children in...September 1, 2020
- Educational Advocacy in the Age of COVID-19: Expert Q&AIn August 2020, Texas CASA had a conversation with Texas Children’s Commission Executive Director Jamie Bernstein and Staff Attorney Renée Castillo-De La Cruz about the new school year—and how CASA volunteers can best advocate for children’s education, whether online or in the classroom.Bernstein and Castillo-De La Cruz are experts...September 1, 2020
- From the Courtroom to the Capitol: Texas CASA’s Legislative Priorities for the 87th Legislative SessionAs the statewide CASA membership organization, Texas CASA’s mission is twofold: To support local CASA volunteer advocacy programs and to advocate for effective public policy for children and families in the child protection system.In other words, our legislative and policy work is just as core and critical to our work...September 1, 2020
- Equipping a Family for a Successful School YearMarcus* and Sam*, 9 and 11-year-old brothers in foster care, were living with their Grandma Ellen* as their mother completed court-ordered services and worked to create a safe home.CASA volunteer Ana Selves received an email from CASA of Galveston County about an opportunity called “Computers for CASA”—a program that...September 1, 2020
- Texas CASA Recommends: The Connected ParentThe Connected Parent will not only help you become a better CASA advocate—it will change the way you see the children and families you serve.Review by Cathy Cockerham, Texas CASA Liaison for Program Development and friend of the late Dr. Karyn PurvisIn April 2016, we lost a fierce advocate...August 3, 2020
- Keeping Up the CASA SpiritDear CASA Community,I keep thinking back on some of the amazing stories we’ve had the honor of telling over the past few months—a volunteer who went above and beyond to celebrate a child’s birthday, another who reconnected two boys with their father in Mexico, almost entirely using Zoom, and...August 3, 2020
- How Advocates Can Set Older Youth Up for a Healthy Transition to AdulthoodAs CASA volunteers, we all want to see the youth we serve grow into their happiest, healthiest selves. But the fact is, youth who experience foster care often have specialized medical and mental healthcare needs. These youth are already dealing with so much, and the healthcare system is complicated,...August 3, 2020
- KIDS COUNT Data Book Provides Important Overview of Trends in Child Well-beingOn June 22, 2020, The Annie E. Casey Foundation released this year’s edition of the KIDS COUNT® Data Book, an annual report that tracks child well-being, both nationally and state by state, and ranks the states accordingly.By spotlighting the KIDS COUNT Data Book each year, we aim to give the...August 3, 2020
- Rachel's Story“It’s so easy to give up on somebody, because holding them up is much harder.”In 2017, Rachel*, mother of three, was battling a substance use disorder. Her children—Julissa*, 11 years old; Matthew*, 2 years old; and Kiara*, 5 months old—were in the legal custody of their grandmother in Arlington.This...August 3, 2020
- New Podcast Episode: Alejandro Victoria on Advocating for EquityTune in for a new episode of CASA on the Go, our continuing education podcast for CASA volunteers!In this episode, we talk with Alejandro Victoria, Director of Volunteer Admissions at CASA of Travis County, about the connections between CASA advocacy and the nationwide calls for racial equity that have...July 27, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - Jamie BernsteinJamie Bernstein of the Children's Commission and Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs discuss youth with "dual status" (or "cross over" youth) - starting first with the need for a clear, uniform definition in Texas. Bernstein touches on what the Children's Commission has learned so far and the goals for...July 27, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - Tanya Rollins"Imagine living in COVID and living in COVID under a microscope... that's our families. They're living in COVID and in the age of COVID but they're also doing it under a microscope. They're doing it under the microscope of a CASA volunteer. They're doing it under the microscope of...June 29, 2020
- Safety, Connection & CommunityDear CASA Community,Right now, I know I’m not alone in feeling like the only constant is uncertainty, especially given the resurgence in COVID-19 cases reported recently.In spite of so much we can’t control, I hold on to the fact that what we can control is our own actions –...June 26, 2020
- You’re Not Alone! Support Hotlines for Youth & Families in CrisisCASA volunteers build a special relationship with the youth they advocate for and work to keep them safe and cared for, but sometimes, being the best advocate means knowing when the child or family needs more help than you are able to provide.CASA volunteers are not meant to be...June 26, 2020
- June 2020 Court Monitors Report SummaryFollowing a mandate by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the Monitors of the Texas Foster Care System have released their first report. The Monitors ultimately concluded that more than two years after the Court issued its Final Order on the Texas child welfare system, the...June 26, 2020
- Sign Up to BE A VOICE FOR CASA on Social Media & for Your Chance to Win Up to a $500 Gift Card!At Texas CASA, we believe that every child in foster care should have a CASA volunteer advocating for their well-being. Today, with the implications of COVID-19, our advocacy is needed now more than ever – and we need your help spreading the CASA message.How can you help? By signing...June 25, 2020
- Texas CASA Elects Four New Board MembersIn June 2020, Texas CASA welcomed four new members to our board of directors: Don Binnicker, Anna Futral, Pastor Eric Hallback and Rhonda Thompson.“Don, Anna, Pastor Eric and Rhonda all bring unique expertise and passion for the CASA cause,” said Vicki Spriggs, Texas CASA CEO. “Their ideas and leadership...June 25, 2020
- A Message from Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs - June 2020Dear CASA Community,Texas CASA mourns the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police officers, and stands with all people affected by racism and injustice. The pain and protests throughout our nation speak a message that must be heard. Please read our full statement to learn about our...June 2, 2020
- Thank You, Dad! Texas CASA's Staff Celebrates Father's DayIn honor of Father’s Day, Texas CASA staff is celebrating the fathers and father figures in our lives. Some staff graciously shared a few of their cherished experiences with their fathers. Texas CASA wishes a Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers, grandpas, and father figures out there —...June 2, 2020
- Strengthening a Family Stretched Across the BorderOne day in January 2020, Jesús*, a single father, was arrested on charges of shoplifting. Authorities discovered that he was undocumented, and he was put into a detention center by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His two sons, Cesar* and Enrique*, 9 and 11, were placed in the foster care...June 2, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - Kenneth ThompsonIn child welfare, often, there is more focus on engaging mothers than fathers, even though fathers are just as important for a child's healthy development. In this episode, our CEO Vicki Spriggs talks with DFPS Fatherhood Specialist Kenneth Thompson on the benefits for children and families when fathers are...June 1, 2020
- Helping Parents & Caregivers Understand, Accept & Celebrate LGBTQ YouthA core piece of CASA advocacy is making sure the youth we advocate for are, and feel, physically and emotionally safe. When we’re advocating for youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ), this can take special care, attention and skill.Here are the facts: LGBTQ youth...June 1, 2020
- Conversations with CASA – Ben WilkinsTexas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs and Dallas CASA Program Director Ben Wilkins discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the child welfare system, and what the CASA network is doing to continue to safely and effectively advocate for children and families.https://youtu.be/33-FhZ1FVLIConversations with CASA is an online series from...June 1, 2020
- CASA of the Coastal Bend Shows Up for Kids Isolated by QuarantineOver the last couple of months, CASA programs across the state have gone virtual, finding ways to amplify advocacy and to respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 quarantine with creativity and extraordinary support for families.We spoke with Samantha Koepp-Stemplinger, Marketing and Recruitment Manager with CASA of the Coastal...May 4, 2020
- Mental Health Matters! How to Help Get Services for Children & Youth in Foster CareMay is Mental Health Awareness Month. This observation comes at a time when many of us are working to acclimate to our new norm and discover coping habits for the era of COVID-19. As difficult as this time has been, we should be mindful that these circumstances and compounding...May 1, 2020
- #EveryChildDeserves A Happy Birthday!Every child deserves a happy birthday and a chance to feel celebrated on their special day. But finding a truly festive celebration while in foster care can be challenging.Many kids in foster care already feel disconnected because they are living in uncertainty, far away from their parents and friends....May 1, 2020
- Supporting the Most Vulnerable Communities in the Midst of COVID-19By Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASADear CASA Community,Today, it’s been more than six weeks since I set foot in the Texas CASA office. Six weeks of hosting staff meetings from my kitchen table, back-to-back Zoom conference calls and writing from my back porch. I’m grateful to be safe...May 1, 2020
- Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention: What You Need to Know & What You Can DoJUMP TO A SECTION What is prevention? Why does child abuse and neglect occur? How do prevention services work? What does the state of Texas do to prevent child abuse and neglect? What can I do to help?Throughout April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Texas CASA and other groups will...March 27, 2020
- What Compassion, Care & Community Really MeanBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAMy Dear Community,I’m writing to you from my kitchen table today.The City of Austin’s shelter in place order went into effect on March 25, and all Texas CASA employees are working remotely. It’s been more than a week at this point, but it’s...March 27, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - Kate MurphyParental substance use is a contributing factor in most removals within the child welfare system. However, nearly all removals that involve parental substance use as a contributing factor are related to neglectful supervision rather than abuse, according to a recent report from Texans Care for Children. Kate Murphy, Senior...March 26, 2020
- The Value of RelationshipsBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAMarch is National Professional Social Work Month, when we take the time to celebrate the social workers who’ve devoted their careers to improving the lives of others.Social workers are truly at the heart of the child welfare system. There are so many things...March 6, 2020
- The Power of a CASA Bond: Carlos & JoCarlos and Jo in the hospital for his brain surgery in 2013.What happens when a teenager with epilepsy and his CASA advocate make a powerful bond of trust?Carlos, 17, was at work when he experienced a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors diagnosed him with epilepsy and...March 6, 2020
- What the Federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Means for TexasThe federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), passed in 2018, intends to help child welfare systems across the U.S. keep more families together and create better outcomes for children who have to be in foster care. It changes the way the federal government funds child welfare systems to...March 6, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - San Antonio/Austin ThreadsStarting in San Antonio and now with a location in Austin, Threads provides new clothing and a fun shopping experience to teens who are in foster care, experiencing homelessness or otherwise referred. Founded in 2016 by former CASA volunteer Cathy Hamilton, Threads gives youth ages 12-21 the opportunity to...March 5, 2020
- Fighting for Brighter FuturesBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAThis issue of The CASA Voice tells the story of Pastor Eric Hallback in El Paso who is a trailblazer in church-based foster care involvement, does a deep dive into the Ombudsman Report issued by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)...February 12, 2020
- The Foster Care Ombudsman: What You & Youth in Foster Care Should Know!The Foster Care Ombudsman’s office exists solely to help youth who are having problems with programs and services, whose rights may be being violated, who may be experiencing abuse or neglect in their placements or who have other issues or questions they need help with. In the last year,...February 12, 2020
- Mission Moment: Called to ServePastor Eric Hallback’s investment in CASA and foster care all started when a foster family from his congregation, The Rock Faith Center in El Paso, asked him to pray for a newborn in their care. The baby was just two weeks old, on oxygen and suffering from drug withdrawal....February 12, 2020
- 5 Trailblazing Black Women in Child Welfare You Should KnowLearn the stories of five phenomenal Black women who’ve changed the landscape of child welfare!Carrie Steele LoganCarrie Steele Logan was born into slavery in 1829 and was orphaned as a child. After she was freed, she began working at a train depot. She saw many children who were displaced...February 12, 2020
- Why the 2020 Census Counts!https://youtu.be/xaXG7V3cttYBy April 1, your household, and every household in the country, will receive mail from the Census Bureau with information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by mail or by phone. You may feel tempted to throw it away with those drugstore coupons, credit card offers...February 12, 2020
- January’s Challenge: You Can Help Fight Child Sex Trafficking in TexasOVERVIEWJanuary is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness month, when we bring our focused attention to the people who are affected by this epidemic, and what we all can do to help solve it. Young people in foster care are especially vulnerable to human trafficking, particularly in the form...January 15, 2020
- Conversations with CASA - Chad FrymireChildren in the foster care system are at an increased risk of becoming victims of trafficking and exploitation. Removed from their homes and often placed far away from their home communities, they are much more vulnerable to a variety of dangers due to the trauma and isolation they experience....January 14, 2020
- Mission Moment: From Feeling Lonely to Feeling LovedEvery child in foster care – even the child who seems the most alone – comes from a family. Regardless of the circumstances, chances are there are family members who love the child, and would be willing and able to reconnect and help. They just need to be given...January 14, 2020
- A Year of Hope & PossibilityBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAJanuary is a special month. We greet the new year filled with hope and possibility. We are aware of all the work that needs to be done—and also of our capacity and strength to transform problems when we bring our vision and momentous...January 9, 2020
- You Can Brighten the Holidays for Texas ChildrenBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAFor so many of us, the holiday season is full of excitement, celebration, family, warmth and community. As we enjoy this time with loved ones and get ready for the New Year, let’s make sure we’re keeping children in foster care in our hearts. The fact is, some of these children are spending the...December 17, 2019
- CASA Volunteers Share Their Favorite MemoriesAt the 2019 Texas CASA Conference in Galveston, we asked folks to write down their favorite moment from their time as CASA volunteers. There were countless amazing responses filled with moments of triumph, love and compassion. We have collected a few to share with you here. Thank you to...December 17, 2019
- Texas House Speaker Releases House Interim ChargesThe Office of Speaker Dennis Bonnen has released a list of interim charges for respective House committees to examine over the interim and leading into the 2021 Legislative Session. Committees are assigned these charges and also may review other issues within their jurisdiction.View the interim charges reportThe House Committee...December 16, 2019
- Texas House Human Services Committee Holds First Interim HearingThe Texas House Human Services Committee held their first interim hearing on Nov. 12, 2019. The committee heard updates on Medicaid 1115 waivers, the implementation and rollout of Community-Based Care, and the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act. Much of the six-hour hearing was dedicated to hearing...December 16, 2019
- DFPS Announces More Children Are Leaving Foster Care than EnteringNew state data released by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) on Dec. 4, 2019, shows that, for the first time, more children are exiting than entering foster care. In FY 2019, the number of children leaving foster care exceeded the number entering care by more than...December 16, 2019
- Tune in to CASA on the Go Episode 2!Tune in for the newest episode of CASA on the Go, our new continuing education podcast for CASA volunteers and staff! Through short, dynamic episodes, this podcast connects CASA advocates with subject matter experts discussing topical issues connected to child welfare.According to a Texans Care for Children report citing...December 16, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Adopting a Child from Foster CareIn the state of Texas, there are currently over 7,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted. In this CASA Deep Dive, we will be diving into the foster care adoption process: how it works, how to complete the process, potential challenges and what advocates can do to...December 16, 2019
- Watch Education Benefits for Foster Care Alumni WebinarTexas CASA recently hosted a webinar focused on education benefits available to foster care alumni. In this hour-long webinar, Jamie Bernstein, Assistant Director for The Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission, gives an overview of the tuition and fee waiver and Brandi Purswell, ETV Specialist from BCFS Health and...December 16, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Tom JonesTom Jones, Senior Grants Management Specialist, has been with Texas CASA since August 2006. Prior to joining Texas CASA, he worked in various accounting and auditor positions in Texas, eventually directing accounting for the Criminal Justice Division of the Texas Governor’s Office. Before entering the workforce, Tom served in...December 13, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Pastor Jeannette McQueenCASA, the child welfare system and the faith community have been actively working hand in hand to provide support to children and families involved in the child welfare system. As the Foster/Adoption Ministry Coordinator with the Beltway Park Church, Pastor Jeannette McQueen shares how her church became involved in...December 12, 2019
- A Moment of GratitudeBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAI don’t know about you, but I can’t figure out where the year went!Time is absolutely flying, and before we know it, we’ll be at the start of a new decade. If you’re like me, you’re juggling to keep track of travel plans,...November 20, 2019
- Texas CASA Welcomes Two New CFE CoachesWe’re excited to announce that we have added two new members to our Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) team, Naomi Sawyer and Audrey Sherman! Naomi and Audrey will be working with local CASA programs, Child Protective Services (CPS) and other partners to continue implementing CFE across the state.Naomi Sawyer graduated from...November 20, 2019
- 2019 Texas CASA Conference Celebrates 30 Years of CASAMore than 600 members of the CASA community joined us in Galveston on Oct. 24-26 for the 2019 Texas CASA Conference: 30 Year Jubilee, a three-day, learning-packed celebration of CASA!Conference attendees from all across Texas, and even a few from out of state, joined us at the Galveston Island...November 19, 2019
- First Public Policy Regional Training at CASA of the Coastal BendTexas CASA’s Public Policy team is hitting the road and coming to your region soon to host trainings that will help staff and volunteers learn more of the coming changes with the Family First Prevention Services Act and implementation of Community-Based Care. The first regional training took place on Nov....November 19, 2019
- New T-Shirt Alert: Less Me, More WeIf you were at the 2019 Texas CASA Conference, you got a sneak peek at Texas CASA's new t-shirts from our "Less Me, More We" line. “Less Me, More We” encompasses our belief that we are at our best when we are working together as a community. When children...November 19, 2019
- Conversations With CASA - Emily LeBlancDomestic violence plays a role in many child welfare cases, and it's essential for CASA staff and volunteers to understand best practices for advocating for children and families involved in these cases. Emily LeBlanc with CASA of Travis County shares her expertise on how to work with survivors of...November 19, 2019
- House Human Services Hearing Discusses CBC & FFPSA ImplementationThe Texas House Human Services committee met on Monday, Nov. 12, for their first time since the end of the 86th Legislative Session. The committee met to discuss implementation of Community-Based Care and the Family First Prevention Services Act. They also reviewed the processes and policies by which the...November 19, 2019
- Texas CASA & CASA Programs Participate in FFPSA Stakeholder MeetingsAs required by legislation passed during the 86th Legislative Session, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has begun to meet with a variety of stakeholders, including local CASA Executive Directors and the Child Protection Roundtable, about how it should implement the federal Family First Prevention Services Act...November 19, 2019
- DFPS Announces Stage II of Community-Based Care in Region 3BIn October 2019, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) announced it had taken steps to expand Community-Based Care (CBC) into Stage II in Region 3B. Region 3B includes Tarrant, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker and Somervell counties. This expansion was done by a contract amendment with...November 19, 2019
- New Continuing Education Podcast from Texas CASATexas CASA is excited to launch CASA on the Go, a new continuing education podcast for CASA volunteers and staff. Through short, dynamic episodes, this podcast connects CASA advocates with subject matter experts discussing topical issues connected to child welfare.Tune in to our first episode featuring Jamie Bernstein, Assistant Director...November 19, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Elizabeth MastElizabeth Mast, Grants Management Specialist, serves the CASA network by managing grants like the volunteer travel and background check reimbursements. She studied business and economics at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia, and is proud to be using her skillset to help the CASA programs and the children and families...November 19, 2019
- Texas CASA Receives BCBSTX Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® GrantWe're excited to announce that we're once again partnering with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas's Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® initiative in 2020!We have been awarded a $75,000 grant, which will help us continue our work to improve the health and wellness of Texas children in foster care by...November 19, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: The Federal Foster Care LawsuitIn this CASA Deep Dive, we’re looking into the federal foster care lawsuit – the long-running legal battle, the results, and what it means for Texas’ foster care system moving forward.What’s the lawsuit about?In 2011, nine children who had experience with Texas’ long-term foster care system (also known as...October 29, 2019
- San Antonio Threads Provides Unique Shopping Experience for Deserving TeensFormer CASA volunteer Cathy Hamilton (right) is the founder and CEO of San Antonio Threads. Threads provides free new and new-like clothing and accessories, and a fun shopping experience, for teens in need in the San Antonio area. Threads is opening a location in Austin that will be managed...October 29, 2019
- New Pre-Service E-Learning Courses Available!We are excited to announce that we have converted two sessions of CASA pre-service volunteer training that could previously only be offered in-person into interactive, immersive e-learning courses that are now available online!In order to provide a more dynamic option for programs and volunteers, we set out to create...October 29, 2019
- ¡Vámonos! Training Materials in Spanish!As part of our effort to increase awareness of CASA in the Spanish-speaking community, we are excited to announce two new CASA training resources in Spanish: a translation of the Volunteer Pre-Service Manual, or Manual del Voluntario, and a video e-learning course on Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), called TBRI®...October 29, 2019
- New DFPS Commissioner AnnouncedOn Wednesday, Oct. 9, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Jaime Masters of Kansas City, Missouri as the newly appointed Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). She is currently the acting Chief of Health Services and Acting Chief of Operations for Jackson County, Missouri, and has served...October 26, 2019
- Legislative Advocacy Team Feedback & Moving ForwardIn August 2019, the Texas CASA Public Policy team sent out a survey to Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT) chairs to solicit input about how they operate and what Texas CASA can do to best support them. The results were extremely informative and have great insight into how we can...October 26, 2019
- Past, Present & FutureBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASANormally I reserve these posts for my present thoughts, but seeing as I haven’t quite come down from the high of our 30th Anniversary conference, I think I’ll start with a little reflection.When Jane Quentan Piper founded Texas CASA back in 1989, our...October 22, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: David SetzerDavid Setzer has been a member of the Texas CASA Board of Directors since 2015. He has been a a part of the CASA movement for many years, serving first as a CASA volunteer and, from 2004 to 2015, as a founding board member for CASA of Ellis County....October 21, 2019
- Texas CASA Releases Guide to Community Based-CareTexas CASA is proud to release Transforming Together: A Guide to Community-Based Care in Texas, Edition 1.Community-Based Care (CBC) is a sweeping systems change and a new way of providing foster care and case management services in Texas. The change shifts key functions of the child welfare system from...October 21, 2019
- Celebrating 4 Years of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE)Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE), our Family Finding partnership with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), has spread quickly and widely since implementation began in Fiscal Year 2016. CFE began in three pilot sites (CASA programs and local CPS offices) and served 20 families and 48 children. In...October 21, 2019
- Texas CASA Recommends: UnbelievableReview by Emma LedfordTexas CASA Communications SpecialistContent Warning: This article discusses sexual assault, as the series it reviews deals heavily with the issue."'Cause even with good people, even with people that you can kinda trust, if the truth is inconvenient, and if the truth doesn't, like, fit, they don't...October 21, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Knox KimberlyOn Sept. 1, legislation from the 86th Legislative Session took effect. Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs and this month's guest Knox Kimberly go into key changes to the child welfare system that you need to know.https://youtu.be/qMVeCc3sG0UKimberly serves as the Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations at Upbring....September 25, 2019
- Lauren's Road to Reunification“Family seeing, justice doing and dignity giving.”These three concepts are at the core of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) according to Family Finding Model Author Kevin Campbell, one of our key partners in bringing the initiative across the state.CFE takes family finding beyond just finding. It recognizes that the families...September 24, 2019
- Preventing Youth SuicideBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAFollowing the highly publicized suicide of a young teen at a facility in San Antonio where many children in state care reside, our office has been discussing the high prevalence of suicidal ideation in young people. As part of these discussions, we learned...September 24, 2019
- DFPS Releases Implementation Plan for Community-Based CareAs required by statute, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has released the Implementation Plan for the Texas Community-Based Care System. Community-Based Care (CBC) is a new model of providing foster care and other related services that is rolling out geographically and in stages of service over time in...September 23, 2019
- Report Shows 2017-2018 Suspension Trends for Pre-K Through 2nd GradeTexans Care for Children has released a report on Texas school districts’ issued suspensions to pre-k through second grade students for the 2017-2018 school year. The study provides context for how House Bill 674 (which largely prohibits out-of-school suspensions in this age range) has worked in its first year since being...September 23, 2019
- Texas CASA CEO Op-ed Featured in Denton NewspaperTexas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs has written an op-ed that was published in the Denton Record-Chronicle focusing on the advancements made in child welfare by the Texas Legislature during the 86th Legislative Session.Read the Op-edSpriggs highlights three core principles the state should keep at the forefront as the system...September 23, 2019
- Family First Prevention Services Act & Community-Based Care WebinarsTexas CASA’s Senior Public Policy Associate Sarah Crockett, joined by former DFPS Commissioner Anne Heiligenstein of Casey Family Programs, hosted a webinar about the new Family First Prevention Services Act and what it means for Texas’ foster care system. The webinar covers what changes to expect and how this...September 23, 2019
- McCraw Oil/Kwik Chek Continues to Support Texas' KidsThis month, McCraw Oil/Kwik Chek held their annual charity golf tournament, raising $62,000 to support CASA!McCraw Oil/Kwik Chek has been a generous supporter of Texas CASA and the local CASA programs for more than a decade. The majority of the funds raised at this tournament each year are distributed...September 23, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Kinship CareIn this CASA Deep Dive, we’re taking a look at kinship care: what it is, why it is important, its benefits and what advocates can do to assist kinship caregivers.What is Kinship Care?Removal is a traumatic process for a child, as they are taken away from the only home...September 23, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Ann Strauser PalmerAnn Strauser Palmer, Legislative Advocacy Coordinator, has been with Texas CASA since October 2018. Ann entered the child welfare field in 2006, when she began working for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). As Legislative Advocacy Coordinator, Ann works with local CASA programs and their Legislative Advocacy...September 23, 2019
- Beeville Program Expands to 4th CountyCASA of Bee, Live Oak and McMullen Counties recently announced that they are expanding their services to children in San Patricio County. Effective Sept. 1, 2019, the program is serving children in a total of four counties in South Texas. In addition to their main office in Beeville, the...September 23, 2019
- Resources & Hotlines for Suicide Prevention & AwarenessSeptember is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and it’s important that we all do our part to spread awareness of the resources available to help those around us year round.Children and teens in foster care are especially at risk of suicidal thoughts due to the trauma they have experienced. A...September 23, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Youth VoiceIn this CASA Deep Dive, we’re delving into how advocates can help ensure that a child or youth’s voice is heard and meaningfully incorporated in court, service planning, meetings and other important proceedings that affect their future.Why Is Youth Voice and Engagement Important?In 2015, an American Bar Association study showed...August 27, 2019
- Supporting Those Who Support Texas Kids with the Volunteer Coaching & Advocacy ProgramTexas CASA is constantly evolving to best meet the needs of the CASA programs and the children we serve. While we offer trainings and resources for board members, recruiters, trainers and executive directors, we realized a gap existed when it came to targeted support for case supervisors. To meet...August 27, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Jasmine WightmanAugust is back to school month, and across Texas, students are settling into new classes and possibly new schools with new teachers and classmates. What do CASA volunteers need to know to be the best educational advocate for their CASA kids? CEO Vicki Spriggs talks all things educational advocacy...August 27, 2019
- REGISTER NOW for the 2019 Texas CASA Conference!More than 450 members of the CASA community have already registered to join us for the 2019 Texas CASA Conference: 30 Year Jubilee. Will we see you there?REGISTER NOWWe only turn 30 once, so we're making this celebration count! Check out just a few of the things we have...August 27, 2019
- Giving Children a VoiceBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAA couple of weeks ago I had hip replacement surgery. As much as I knew it needed to happen, I still couldn’t stop my mind from racing around all of the “what-ifs.”This was my first-ever surgery, and needless to say, I was scared....August 26, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Lisa BriggsLisa Briggs, Volunteer Management Specialist, has been with us since 2017. Prior to coming to Texas CASA, she worked as a Volunteer Supervisor and Program Director at CASA of Southeast Texas from 2010-2016. She is a dedicated advocate whose passion for philanthropy inspires her to continue to improve how...August 26, 2019
- Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Expands to 10 More CASA Programshttps://youtu.be/m3J_Oe20FngTexas CASA is excited to announce that in Fiscal Year 2020, year five of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE), we will be expanding into 10 more CASA programs across the state! This means CFE will be practiced by a total of 41 local CASA programs and their local CPS -...August 26, 2019
- NOW AVAILABLE: Updated Online Core Advocacy Skills TrainingWe are thrilled to share that the Online Core Advocacy Skills Training (OCAST) e-learning course has been updated and the new version is now live on our learning center!OCAST is an interactive e-learning course focused on demystifying how a case moves through the child welfare system, with modules taking...August 23, 2019
- Federal Appeals Court Overturns Ruling Against Indian Child Welfare ActA three judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned a lower court ruling that declared the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) unconstitutional. ICWA is a 1978 federal law that established a preference for Native American children to remain with their families or other recognized members of their tribe.The...August 23, 2019
- DFPS Releases Foster Care Needs Assessment & Rider 21 ReportThe Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has released the required Foster Care Needs Assessment and the “Rider 21” annual performance evaluation on Community-Based Care (CBC). Learn more about each report below.Foster Care Needs AssessmentThe Foster Care Needs Assessment is released each year in accordance with state law....August 23, 2019
- 86th Legislative Session Recap Webinar Now AvailableTexas CASA and the local CASA programs worked hard over the course of the 86th Legislative Session to pass some important legislation aimed at improving the lives of children and youth in the child welfare system. You can learn all about the major outcomes of the session in our...July 29, 2019
- Reminders & Resources for CASA Educational AdvocatesCASA volunteers, we’re just a few weeks away from the start of the new school year. Are you ready to speak up for your CASA child and advocate for their educational needs? We’ve put together some resources and reminders to help you be the best educational advocate you can...July 26, 2019
- Registration for 2019 Texas CASA Conference Opens Aug. 14The 2019 Texas CASA Conference: 30 Year Jubilee registration opens in just two weeks! Mark your calendar for August 14 to secure your spot for this year's conference.This year's sessions feature nationally and internationally recognized speakers and industry leaders that will help strengthen the CASA network and improve advocacy...July 26, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Vicki SpriggsFor Texas CASA's birthday month, we're switching things up by having Chief Communications Officer Leslie Morton interview CEO Vicki Spriggs in this edition of Conversations with CASA. In the interview, Spriggs and Morton talk about past successes, where we are heading as an organization and network, and how The...July 26, 2019
- Laying the Foundation for Children's Academic SuccessBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAIt’s the first day of school, and Noah’s teacher asks for volunteers to come up to the front of class and share their favorite stories from summer vacation. Hand after eager hand shoots up high in the air, and excited whispers start to...July 25, 2019
- Register for Webinars on Community-Based Care & Family First Prevention Services ActTexas CASA's Public Policy team will be hosting two webinars to share information about how Community-Based Care (CBC) and the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) will affect the CASA network and the populations we serve.In February 2018, Congress authorized the FFPSA, providing states with new flexibility in how...July 25, 2019
- The Campbell Sisters: A True CASA Family!It’s not uncommon for a couple, or a group of friends or family members to volunteer together at their local CASA program… but it’s not often that you see a group quite like the Campbell sisters.The six Campbell sisters – Bebe Church, Marian Freeman, Maria Mills, Lesa Maatouk, Tesa...July 25, 2019
- 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Rules on Texas Foster Care System LawsuitA federal appeals court ruled on the long-running Texas foster care system lawsuit on Monday, July 8, 2019. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned certain mandated fixes to the Texas foster care system, including an overhaul to the way the state tracks and records information about foster care children. The...July 22, 2019
- Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs Featured on Texas Titans PodcastYou see her at Texas CASA events, you read her monthly blog and watch her on Conversations with CASA... but how well do you really know our CEO Vicki Spriggs? Check out her recent interview for the Texas Titans podcast!Hosted by Jason Wright, Texas Titans is a podcast focused on...July 19, 2019
- TBRI® Healing Families Video Set Now Available Online!We're excited to announce that the TBRI® Healing Families seven-video set is now available to watch online in our Learning Center. Texas CASA licensed the set specifically for use by CASA staff and volunteers.The videos explain the principles and concepts behind Trust-Based Relational Intervention®, a proven method for enriching the lives of at-risk, vulnerable...July 19, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Normalcy for Children & Youth in Foster CareIn this CASA Deep Dive, we’re diving into normalcy for children in foster care: what it is, why it’s important, some of the barriers to achieving it, and what advocates can do to help overcome these barriers and give kids a more normal childhood and experience while they’re in the...July 19, 2019
- Texas CASA Welcomes Chief Finance & Administration OfficerWe're pleased to welcome Steve Raich to our staff as our Chief Finance and Administration Officer! In this role, Steve will supervise our Administration team and all of the administrative functions that support Texas CASA’s mission, including finance, operations, data management, grant management, risk management and human resources.Steve began...July 19, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: John D. KnightJohn D. Knight is President-Elect of the Texas CASA Board of Directors and has been a member of the Board since 2015. John has previously served on the Board of Directors for CASA of Ellis County, both as a member and as Board President. John was a CASA volunteer...July 19, 2019
- Texas First Lady Hosts Tea with CASA Executive DirectorsOn June 25, 2019, CASA Executive Directors from programs all across the state got the opportunity to attend tea with Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott. The First Lady arranged the event in the effort to gain a better understanding of CASA’s role within the foster care system, as well...June 26, 2019
- CASA Volunteer Spotlight: Kathy Bolton & RosaContent Warning: This story touches on the topics of suicide and self-harm.Rosa* and her younger sister came into foster care due to physical abuse by their father. Early on in the case, her sister was safely able to go back home. Rosa, however, remained in foster care.Why? Because she...June 26, 2019
- Creating Sliding Door Moments for ChildrenBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAOur Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) initiative tends to lead to a lot of wonderful hallway discussions. One of the conversations that has stayed with me was about a case involving a girl named Lauren*.One day Lauren, her CASA volunteer, caseworker, family members and...June 26, 2019
- DFPS Commissioner Hank Whitman RetiresTexas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Commissioner Hank Whitman is retiring after three years of service on June 30, 2019.Whitman is the former head of the Texas Rangers and took the role of DFPS Commissioner in 2016, at a time of crisis for the agency. He is...June 26, 2019
- 2019 KIDS COUNT Child Welfare Data Book ReleasedThe Annie E. Casey Foundation, which focuses on strengthening families, building stronger communities and ensuring access to opportunity, recently released the 2019 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The KIDS COUNT Data Book is an annually published resource that provides data concerning the well-being of children on a state-by-state level.With the...June 25, 2019
- Announcing 2019 Texas CASA Conference Speakers & SessionsThe 2019 Texas CASA Conference: 30 Year Jubilee is excited to announce this year's speakers and sessions! Featuring nationally and internationally recognized speakers and industry leaders, each session will help strengthen the CASA network and improve advocacy for children and youth. Texas CASA believes each of us is an...June 25, 2019
- National CASA/GAL Honors CFE with Promising Practices Spotlight AwardTexas CASA is proud to announce that Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) received the National CASA/GAL Association for Children's 2019 Promising Practices Spotlight Award!The Promising Practices Spotlight highlights a successful, replicable practice that exemplifies creativity in a program’s pursuit to provide quality advocacy. Texas CASA CFE Director Candice Dosman accepted the award...June 25, 2019
- Every Child Has a Chance - It's Me! An Interview with Beth St. PaulBeth St. Paul is the Director of Operations at Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, one of Texas CASA's philanthropic partners. Learn more about our partnership on the Janet St. Paul website.What is your story?Originally, Janet (my sister and the owner of Janet St. Paul Studio for...June 25, 2019
- Brenham CASA Program Takes Initiative for LGBTQ Youth in CareOn June 7, 2019, CASA for Kids of South Central Texas held a CASA Café focused on educating CASA volunteers on advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth in care. Led by Currey Cook, a civil rights lawyer with experience fighting for the LGBTQ community, the...June 25, 2019
- Significant Updates for Community-Based Care ImplementationThe state budget for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) includes funding decisions that define the scope and pace of the rollout of Community-Based Care (CBC) for the next two-year budget period beginning in September 2019. Key decisions include: The CBC model will not be expanded into...June 24, 2019
- 86th Legislative Session Webinar & Outcomes WebpageTexas CASA and the local CASA programs worked hard over the course of the 86th Legislative Session to pass some important legislation aimed at improving the lives of children and youth in the child welfare system. Check out our 86th Legislative Session Outcomes page for session recaps from Texas CASA and...June 24, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Supporting LGBTQ Youth in Foster CareIn this CASA Deep Dive, we're shining a light on the unique needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth in the Texas child welfare system - and looking at the many positive steps that advocates can take to affirm their identities, support their safety and help...June 24, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Currey CookIn honor of Pride Month, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs talked with Currey Cook from Lambda Legal about the overrepresentation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) children in the child welfare system and the unique challenges they face while in care. Cook is the Director of the...June 24, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Emma LedfordEmma Ledford keeps the CASA network up to date and informed through her work as Texas CASA's Communications Specialist. Emma joined the Texas CASA team initially as an intern before becoming a full-time member of the team. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from The University of Texas...June 24, 2019
- Texas CASA Honored as Innovator in Supporting & Serving LGBTQ Youth & FamiliesTexas CASA is proud to announce that we have received the All Children – All Families (ACAF) Seal of Recognition as a 2019 “Innovator in Supporting and Serving LGBTQ Youth & Families”! This seal is awarded to child welfare organizations that demonstrate a commitment to supporting and serving lesbian,...June 21, 2019
- Texas CASA Welcomes 7 New Members to Its Board of DirectorsTexas CASA welcomed seven new members to its Board of Directors in June 2019. The board is responsible for the high-level leadership and decision-making for the organization, including determining its mission and purpose, providing financial oversight, ensuring legal and ethical integrity and accountability, strategic planning and much more.“As we...June 18, 2019
- In the Spirit of SummerBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAThink back with me to when you were a child. Was there anything better than summer break?School was out – no more sitting at a desk for hours on end, daydreaming about what was going on outside your classroom windows or grumbling about...May 28, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Judge John SpeciaTo wrap up National Foster Care Month, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs sits down with former Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Commissioner Judge John Specia to discuss the changes he has seen in the foster care system over the last few years and what steps still...May 28, 2019
- CASA Leadership Comes Together at The ForumTexas CASA recently hosted The Forum in San Antonio for local CASA program executive directors and program directors. The Forum, previously called the ED/PD Retreat, was renamed to better fit the vision and overall goal: our opportunity to come together as leaders to discuss successes, brainstorm ways to overcome...May 28, 2019
- Sneak Peek at the 2019 Texas CASA Conference: 30 Year Jubilee!What can you look forward to at this year's conference? The 2019 Texas CASA Conference: 30 Year Jubilee is set to be three days of powerful speakers, networking opportunities and celebration of the CASA network.Whatever your role and connection to CASA, you can expect to take away new tools...May 28, 2019
- Watch Training on Advocacy for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Children & Family MembersThis hour-long continuing education training was recorded on May 22, 2019, and features speakers Dr. Jon Bergeron and Shelly Bergeron discussing best practices in advocacy for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children and family members involved in the child welfare system. Shelly and Jon have extensive experience with CASA and child...May 28, 2019
- CASA Volunteer Spotlight: Mike WaguespackOnce Mike Waguespack was sworn in as a volunteer with CASA for the Cross Timbers Area, Executive Director Judy Walker made sure he hit the ground running.“The very first case I got was kind of an older case, and was actually a runaway. The child had been missing for...May 28, 2019
- Funding Outcomes from the 86th Legislative SessionThe 86th Legislative Session adjourned on Monday, May 27, 2019. The Appropriations Bill (House Bill 1) was passed and has been sent to the Governor. Now, the Governor has 20 days after the final day of the session to sign or veto the bill. If neither action is taken,...May 28, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Key Outcomes of the 86th Texas Legislative SessionTo keep you informed and inspired during the 86th Legislative Session, Texas CASA is taking the next few months to dive in to some of our key legislative priorities. Read more about our legislative priorities and our work leading up to, and during, the session.The 86th Legislative Session officially came to...May 28, 2019
- Voices for Children - CASA of Brazos Valley Expands to Two More CountiesVoices for Children – CASA of the Brazos Valley is now extending CASA services to Freestone and Limestone Counties, ensuring that more children receive a volunteer to advocate on their behalf. This means the CASA network is now serving children in 219 of the 254 counties in Texas!Voices for...May 22, 2019
- A Texas-sized Thank You to the Reissa Foundation!The Reissa Foundation recently awarded Texas CASA $25,000 to support our public policy work on the statewide and local level. This was an extra-special donation, both for Texas CASA and the Reissa Foundation, as we were also their 100th grantee!With these 100 grants, the Foundation has distributed over $5,000,000...May 22, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Bryan MaresBryan Mares, Public Policy Fellow, is a dedicated advocate for Texas children and families. By testifying and advocating for Texas CASA's legislative priorities at the Texas Capitol, Bryan helps improve laws and policies affecting the child welfare system. Bryan received his bachelor's and master's degree in social work from...May 22, 2019
- Connection-Focused Advocacy for Children & FamiliesBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAOne of my clearest memories from my juvenile justice days is of meeting a young boy in a juvenile detention facility in West Texas.I was being shown around the facility, but I was having trouble paying attention to what the detention officers were...April 23, 2019
- Friday's Child Film Premiering May 7-8https://vimeo.com/323527320The SXSW 2018 Film Festival Official Selection Friday’s Child is hosting premiere screenings in theatres all across the U.S. on May 7-8. Based on the realities of aging out of foster care, Friday’s Child follows a young man drifting through life who turns to petty crime to survive. As one of 20,000...April 23, 2019
- Texas CASA's 30th Anniversary Mural UnveiledTexas CASA is celebrating our 30th Anniversary all year long during 2019. As part of our celebration, we commissioned a commemorative mural in honor of all that we have accomplished as a network over the last 30 years. Created by Avery O Design, the mural captures major milestones in...April 23, 2019
- Child Abuse Prevention Month 2019 Across the CASA NetworkApril is Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM), and the local CASA programs all across Texas have been working hard to spread awareness of child abuse and neglect and get more people involved in the CASA mission.On Go Blue Day, April 5, the CASA network wore blue to show support...April 23, 2019
- TNOYS 36th Annual Conference - CASA Discount!Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) is hosting its 36th Annual Conference on Services to Youth and Families from June 25-28 in Houston. The event brings together stakeholders in youth services from across Texas to collaborate on best practices, receive training and support, learn from each other and ultimately strengthen...April 23, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Sasha RascoFor Child Abuse Prevention Month, we're taking a closer look at what the state is doing to expand prevention initiatives. Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs sits down with Sasha Rasco, Associate Commissioner of Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) at DFPS, to talk about the program's strategic plan and overall...April 23, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Legislative Priorities – Human Trafficking PreventionTo keep you informed and inspired during the 86th Legislative Session, Texas CASA is taking the next few months to dive in to some of our key legislative priorities. Read more about our legislative priorities and our work leading up to, and during, the session.TEXAS CASA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITYHelp prevent human trafficking...April 18, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Jonathan HorstmannJonathan Horstmann, Creative Multimedia Developer and Trainer, has been with Texas CASA for just over a year now. His role at Texas CASA includes creating graphic and video content for training and e-learning programs as well as capturing the great work of Texas CASA and the CASA network by...April 18, 2019
- Texas CASA Hosts Powerful Meeting with LGBTQ & LGBTQ-Affirming ClergyOn March 26, 2019, Texas CASA hosted a powerful and enlightening conversation with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) clergy members and LGBTQ-affirming congregations as part of our Clergy, CASA and Community initiative.As you may know, over the past year, Texas CASA has been hosting discussions with CASA...April 18, 2019
- Texas CASA Champion Bills on the Move!Texas CASA’s Public Policy team has been hard at work to ensure the success of the bills we are championing this session. Several of our champion bills have passed out of their chamber of origin and are headed to committees on the other side.The Senate has not been hearing...April 18, 2019
- Thank You, Give Realty!Texas CASA was honored to receive a generous donation of $5,930.62 from Give Realty agent Nogie King and broker Amity Courtois.Give Realty is a unique real estate brokerage based in Austin, Texas, which donates 25% of their sales commission to the nonprofit of their client’s choice. Nogie had the...April 18, 2019
- Education Reach for Texans’ 10th Annual ConferenceEducation Reach for Texans seeks to eliminate barriers to success and build support programs for alumni of foster care attending public colleges and universities in the state of Texas. The organization is holding its 10th Annual Conference: Road Rules – Charting the Course to Graduation, on June 6-7 in Austin.The event will be...April 18, 2019
- Update on CASA FundingThe Appropriations Bill, House Bill 1, is entering the final stages of negotiation. The House and Senate have each passed their proposed budgets. Last week, conference committee members were appointed and they have begun the hard work of reconciling the two budget proposals. The conferees include:Senate:Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, chairwomanJoan...April 18, 2019
- Texas CASA Public Policy Team in ActionTexas CASA’s Public Policy team continues to represent the voice of CASA before the legislature.Public Policy Executive Director Andy Homer testified before the House Human Services Committee on Chairman James Frank’s House Bill 3331 at the hearing on April 2.HB 3331 makes a number of changes in the Family...April 18, 2019
- Texas CASA Releases CFE Symposium Highlight VideoOn March 7-8, 2019, Texas CASA brought together over 150 CASA and DFPS representatives, as well as child welfare partners, for the Inaugural Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Symposium: Our Community. With the help of Family Finding Creator Kevin Campbell and Dr. Gina Samuels of the University of Chicago, we...April 15, 2019
- CFE Coaches Recognized with FGDM Award From CPSTexas CASA’s Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coaches, Anna McDonnell and Catherine Dooley, were both recently recognized by CPS with the Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) award for their dedication to CFE. As CFE Coaches, McDonnell and Dooley each cover a region of Texas and work closely with CPS and...March 26, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Lorraine MartinezTexas CASA welcomed Lorraine Martinez, Executive Director of STAR Health Program and one of our newest board members, in this edition of Conversations with CASA. Martinez breaks down the resources and services available through STAR Health as well as how CASA volunteers can access them on behalf of the...March 25, 2019
- Texas CASA Brings Together Over 150 People for Inaugural CFE SymposiumOver the course of two days from March 7-8, Texas CASA brought together more than 150 CASA and CPS representatives, as well as child welfare partners, to take a deeper look at the Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) initiative.Keynote speaker Kevin Campbell discusses what it means to be a change...March 25, 2019
- Family Seeing, Justice Doing & Dignity GivingBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASATexas CASA recently held our inaugural Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Symposium, and was joined by more than 150 CASA and CPS representatives who are currently part of our CFE initiative. As I listened to Kevin Campbell, the founder of Family Finding who has...March 22, 2019
- Texas CASA Recruitment & Retention Officer Appointed to DFPS Advisory CommitteeTexas CASA’s Recruitment and Retention Officer, Dennise Jackson, was recently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Promoting Adoption of Minority Children. Established in 1997, this committee’s main purposes include raising awareness of minority children’s needs in all stages of service, both locally and statewide, as well as making recommendations...March 22, 2019
- FREE Leadership Resilience & Emergency Preparedness TrainingsBuilding resilience within oneself, within an organization, and coping with leadership fatigue are important tools. The Texas Center for Child and Family Studies is hosting 13 free trainings that focus on leadership resilience and emergency preparedness. Using principles from post-traumatic growth and positive psychology—and other resilience focused modalities—this in-person...March 22, 2019
- Texas CASA Welcomes CFE CoachPlease join us in welcoming Melissa Markey to the Texas CASA team as a Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach. Melissa will be the CFE Coach for Dallas and surrounding/north Dallas area.Melissa was one of the first CFE Coach contractors for Texas CASA back in 2016, before she joined CASA of Tarrant County...March 15, 2019
- Texas CASA Thanks CenterPoint Energy for 10 Years of PartnershipTexas CASA was pleased to honor CenterPoint Energy Inc. with a custom painting by Mery Godigna Collet.CenterPoint Energy has been a valued partner for 10 years and has generously invested more than $200,000 over that time. This investment has made a remarkable impact on the CASA community throughout Texas....March 14, 2019
- Sponsor the 2019 Texas CASA Conference Today!Texas CASA is excited to announce that our 2019 Texas CASA Conference: 30 Year Jubilee will be held at the Galveston Convention Center from Oct. 24-26.Join the CASA movement by investing in our largest signature event where we bring together more than 750 individuals from across the state who...March 14, 2019
- Texas CASA Testifies in the HouseTexas CASA’s Public Policy team testified before the House Human Services Committee on Tuesday, March 12, in support of House Bill 1709 by Rep. Mary Gonzalez. This bill cleans up several provisions related to the appointment of surrogate parents for students with disabilities who are in the conservatorship of the...March 14, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Legislative Priorities - Addressing Educational Challenges for Students in Foster CareTo keep you informed and inspired during the 86th Legislative Session, Texas CASA is taking the next few months to dive in to some of our key legislative priorities. Read more about our legislative priorities and our work leading up to, and during, the session.TEXAS CASA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITYSupport policies that improve...March 14, 2019
- THANK YOU! Successful Founder's 30th Anniversary ChallengeTexas CASA would like to thank all of our supporters for participating in our founder Jane Quentan Piper’s 30th Anniversary Challenge.You raised:$21,280!Your generosity will allow us to provide a much needed e-learning tool for the Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATs). With this new resource at their fingertips, LAT members will be...March 14, 2019
- Child Fatalities Due to Abuse & Neglect Increased in FY 2018The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recently released their report on Child Fatalities and Near Fatalities for Fiscal Year 2018. Some key statistics from the report include: Texas had 211 confirmed child abuse and neglect-related fatalities in FY 2018, an increase of 22.7% compared to FY 2017...March 14, 2019
- CASA Volunteer Spotlight: Lore DietrichAt age 79, Lore Dietrich has devoted more than 30 years – nearly half of her life – to speaking up for children who have been affected by abuse and neglect. A native German, Dietrich moved to Texas with her husband in 1960 and first joined the CASA movement...March 14, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Maria McCordMaria McCord is a Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach for Texas CASA. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and has more than 20 years of experience working with children in foster care and nonprofit organizations. She has her bachelor's degree in human services as well as her...March 12, 2019
- GRAND PREMIERE: 2019 CASA Day at the Capitol Highlight Video!Texas CASA is excited to announce the premiere of our 2019 CASA Day at the Capitol highlight video!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ULahf7oH1AOn Feb. 5, 2019, a sea of CASA blue filled the Texas State Capitol. Texas CASA brought together more than 200 members of the CASA network from across the state to meet...March 12, 2019
- YOU Can Make a Difference During Child Abuse Prevention MonthApril is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Texas CASA wants you to know that YOU can play a part in helping end child abuse and neglect.Abuse and neglect in Texas during 2018 resulted in 211 deaths, 66,382 confirmed victims, and 20,685 children removed from their home. That means that...March 12, 2019
- 2019 Texas CASA Conference Keynote RevealedWe're getting into the jubilation spirit for the 2019 Texas CASA Conference: 30 Year Jubilee and revealing this year's Keynote Speaker: Josh Shipp!Statistically, Josh Shipp should be dead, in jail or homeless. But his success as a preeminent author, speaker and global youth empowerment expert is living proof of...March 11, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Legislative Priorities - Improving Outcomes for Older & Transitioning YouthTo keep you informed and inspired during the 86th Legislative Session, Texas CASA is taking the next few months to dive in to some of our key legislative priorities. Read more about our legislative priorities and our work leading up to, and during, the session.TEXAS CASA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITYImprove services and supports...February 26, 2019
- CASA of Hill County Texas, the 72nd CASA Program, Is Ready to Speak Up for Kids!After many months of hard work, planning and dedication, CASA of Hill County Texas' first volunteer pre-service training was held on March 5 in Hillsboro.A reception at the Hill County court house was held on Feb. 8, 2019, to welcome Don Rawls as the first Executive Director of CASA of...February 26, 2019
- Support Texas CASA & Look Good Doing It!Have you browsed Texas CASA's online store yet? It features our specially designed merchandise with 100% of the proceeds going towards advocacy for children in foster care across the state.Our collection, State of Well-Being, features a custom design that is a tribute to some of the best moments of childhood....February 26, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Wayne Carson Part 2Texas CASA is back with the second installment of Conversations with CASA featuring Wayne Carson, CEO of ACH Child and Family Services. ACH oversees Our Community Our Kids, the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) that coordinates and delivers services to children in foster...February 26, 2019
- Texas CASA Co-Sponsors Harris County Child Welfare ConveningOn Feb. 6, more than 40 people, including representatives from Child Advocates, Inc., Texas CASA, the Supreme Court of Texas Children's Commission, Casey Family Programs and Child Protective Services, came together to welcome the newly elected child welfare judges for Harris County. Hosted at the Grotto restaurant in downtown...February 26, 2019
- Texas CASA Testifies to Committees on Funding IssuesTexas CASA’s Public Policy team testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 6, in support of increased funding for CASA programs, continued funding for Collaborative Family Engagement, increased funding for substance abuse treatment, and funding for a placement portal to improve placement stability and proximity. View the recorded...February 26, 2019
- Key Legislative Committees Get New Leaders & MembersWith the appointment of committees in both the Texas House and Senate for the 86th Legislature, there are new chairpersons for the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the House Human Services Committee, the primary committees where child protection legislation is considered. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) will serve as Chair of the Senate committee,...February 26, 2019
- Texas CASA Welcomes Data AdministratorTexas CASA is pleased to welcome Suzanne Alston to our Administration team as our Data Administrator! Suzanne will be working with the local programs and Texas CASA departments on using the online data manager as well as assisting our Data and Research Manager.She has a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M,...February 22, 2019
- DFPS Releases 2018 Data BookDFPS recently released its 2018 Data Book, which contains both statewide and local statistics on the CPS system in Texas. Below are some key statewide statistics for 2018.In 2018 in Texas: 211 children died from abuse or neglect. There were 66,382 confirmed victims of child abuse or neglect. Almost every 8 minutes, a child became...February 22, 2019
- Texas CASA Welcomes 3 New Board MembersTexas CASA recently elected three new members to its Board of Directors: communications professional Juan Elizondo, attorney and human resources professional Marissa Marquez, and STAR Health Executive Director Lorraine Martinez.“We are excited to welcome Juan, Marissa and Lorraine to our board of directors,” said Vicki Spriggs, Texas CASA CEO....February 22, 2019
- 2019 Child Welfare Primer & Capitol Day a Great Success!On Feb. 4, Texas CASA hosted local CASA programs and child welfare advocates from across the state for the 2019 Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer to discuss legislative advocacy, substance abuse and the importance of normalcy for children in the child welfare system.In the morning, the Texas CASA Public...February 22, 2019
- CASA of Titus, Camp & Morris Counties: Recruiting with Every Child in MindCASA of Titus, Camp & Morris Counties staff. Clockwise starting on the left: Ange Higueros, Krystal Hosmer, Shakeshia High, Patty Lamb, Kiosio Fields, Pablo Esteban Higueros, Enya-CASA Facility Dog, Michelle Cobern.Imagine yourself as a child, removed from your home and placed with a foster family where the people don’t...February 22, 2019
- Beyond Black History MonthBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAIt might surprise you to hear that I’m a bit of a sci-fi geek. I’ve seen all the versions of the TV show “Star Trek” and the “Star Wars” movies. I grew up on “Lost in Space” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” A...February 22, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Abe Louise YoungAbe Louise Young is the Education and Training Director for Texas CASA. She began her work with Texas CASA as a consultant and was eventually hired on to her current position. She is from New Orleans and a graduate of Smith College in Massachusetts. She received her MFA in Writing...February 22, 2019
- The CASA StoryTexas CASA Founder Jane Quentan Piper shares when her CASA Story started.Texas CASA’s story began 30 years ago in 1989, and without you, we would not have reached the many milestones over the course of our history. To celebrate and honor our history, we have created a visual timeline...January 29, 2019
- A Capitol-Sized Thank You to Our Legislative Sponsors!Texas CASA would like to thank our longtime supporters, CenterPoint and HEB Tournament of Champions, for sponsoring the 2019 Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer and CASA Day at the Capitol.The Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer brought to you by HEB Tournament of Champions will bring together 200 members of...January 29, 2019
- Texas CASA Founder's 30th Anniversary ChallengeIn celebration of our 30th Anniversary, our Founding CEO Jane Quentan Piper has invested $10,000 towards a goal of $20,000 - challenging you to join her in a match so that Texas CASA and the CASA programs can better advocate for children who have been abused and neglected. Read...January 29, 2019
- Stand Up Against Human TraffickingBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAWhen I was young, my parents kept a close eye on me and my sisters. They were always teaching us to be careful around strangers; not to go out alone if possible; and to make sure they knew where we were at all...January 29, 2019
- Conversations with CASA - Wayne Carson Part 1Texas CASA is diving into Community Based Care in this episode of Conversations with CASA. In Part 1 of a two-part episode, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs sits down with Wayne Carson, CEO of ACH Child and Family Services. ACH oversees Our Community Our Kids, the Single Source Continuum Contractor...January 29, 2019
- The 86th Legislative Session Has Begun & Texas CASA Is Tracking Everything for You!The 2019 Legislative Session officially kicked off on Jan. 8, and things are already moving quickly! Rep. Dennis Bonnen was named the new Speaker of the House, both chambers have released the preliminary drafts of their budgets and dozens of bills have been filed.Texas CASA has been hard at...January 29, 2019
- Texas CASA Releases Report Recommending Strategies to Increase Child, Youth & Family VoiceTexas CASA is excited to announce the release of its latest report, Moving Toward a Child, Youth and Family-Centered System: Opportunities in Court and Service Planning.The report is the culmination of recommendations and ideas generated by discussions at Texas CASA’s 2018 Child Welfare Primer, which featured dozens of foster...January 29, 2019
- CASA Deep Dive: Legislative Priorities - Healthcare Needs of Children & Youth in Foster CareTo keep you informed and inspired during the 86th Legislative Session, Texas CASA is taking the next few months to dive in to some of our key legislative priorities. Read more about our legislative priorities and our work leading up to, and during, the session.TEXAS CASA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Support efforts to...January 29, 2019
- Legislative Advocacy Teams in ActionAs we jump into the 86th Legislative Session, Texas CASA’s Public Policy team has been meeting with Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATs) to discuss CASA policy and funding priorities.On Wednesday, Jan. 16, CASA of Travis County held a meeting to discuss legislative issues. Texas CASA Public Policy Executive Director Andy...January 29, 2019
- Emily's Story: 12-Part Series Comes to a CloseLast year, we explored a year in the life of a child in foster care through the eyes of Emily and her CASA volunteer, Maria. The 12-part story series recently came to an end in the December edition of The CASA Voice."Though this chapter of her life is complete, Emily’s...January 28, 2019
- Redefining Success for the Children We ServeFor many of us, our work with CASA has motivated us to reconsider our ideas and assumptions around family.Whether that process began when a child pleaded to return to the parents who neglected them, or when a youth’s former teacher stepped forward to begin the adoption process, we understood...January 28, 2019
- Free Spotlight on Exploitation Trainings from The National Center for Missing & Exploited ChildrenThe National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – Texas Regional Office is providing FREE Spotlight on Exploitation trainings in cities throughout Texas. This workshop is focused on addressing, combating and preventing the exploitation of youth in the child welfare system. TCOLE, CEU and CLE credit will be provided for...January 28, 2019
- Current CASA Funding Maintained in House & Senate Budget BillsWith the convening of the 86th Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 8, the biennial budgeting process for the State of Texas has begun. Both the House and the Senate have introduced their respective versions of the budget in HB 1 and SB 1. CASA programs receive substantial financial support, $13.2...January 28, 2019
- Hogg Foundation Releases New Mental Health GuideThe Hogg Foundation for Mental Health has released its 2018 Edition Guide to Understanding Mental Health Systems and Services. The guide can be used to to help navigate the complex mental health services and systems in Texas. The intended audience for this guide includes legislators, legislative staff, state agency...January 28, 2019
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Founding CEO Jane Quentan PiperJane Quentan Piper, Texas CASA's first CEO, founded Texas CASA in 1989 when she saw a need for a statewide hub. Since then, CASA in Texas has grown from 13 CASA programs to 72 strong, with nearly 11,000 volunteers serving more than 30,000 children in 217 of our state's...January 28, 2019
- 2018 Impact Report: From Our Communities to the Capitol2018 was a year of great strides for the CASA network in Texas, and we have highlighted many of these achievements in our FY 2018 Impact Report: From Our Communities to the Capitol. Together, the CASA network is taking steps forward for Texas’ children and youth in foster care and...January 25, 2019
- Child Welfare News Clips of InterestMake sure you're in the loop on current happenings in child welfare at both the state and national levels by browsing news clips of interest selected by our Public Policy team. This page will be continually updated as news stories come up, with the most recent stories at the top.BROWSE BY...January 25, 2019
- Emily's Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPART 12: HomeREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PART 9 | PART 10 | PART 11 | PART 12Maria, Emily’s CASA Volunteer:Emily is a different kiddo compared to a year ago. It’s been so wonderful to watch her grow, and to have the opportunity to play a part in that...December 20, 2018
- CASA Deep Dive: Legislative Priorities - Increased Annual Legislative FundingTo keep you informed and inspired during the 86th Legislative Session, Texas CASA is taking the next few months to dive in to some of our key legislative priorities. Read more about our legislative priorities and our work leading up to, and during, the session.Texas CASA Legislative PriorityRequest an...December 19, 2018
- Texas CASA Spotlight: CEO Vicki SpriggsVicki Spriggs, Texas CASA Chief Executive Officer, is a dedicated advocate for children who has worked for more than 43 years in the child services arena. Known for her leadership on youth-related issues, Spriggs is a national speaker, a decisive leader and a fierce believer in the rights of...December 19, 2018
- Supporting Our Native Children & FamiliesBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAIf you follow child welfare, you may be aware of the recent legal challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) – the federal law that governs child custody proceedings for American Indian and Alaska Native children and their families.Enacted in 1978 to...December 19, 2018
- CASA of the Pines Legislative Advocacy Team Preps for 86th SessionAs the legislative session quickly approaches, CASA programs and their Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATs) have been actively meeting with their state lawmakers to discuss policy issues and priorities for the 86th Legislative Session, which convenes on Jan. 8, 2019. The LAT with Lufkin-based CASA of the Pines recently met...December 19, 2018
- Conversations with CASA - Crystal Leff-PiñonCrystal Leff-Piñon joins us in this episode of Conversations with CASA and breaks down the Family Helpline for Strong Families and Safe Children, a project of the Austin-based Texas Legal Services Center.https://youtu.be/JY_mBTCz92kThe Family Helpline was created to demystify the child welfare system by providing free, objective legal information, explanation and...December 17, 2018
- 2018 Foster Care Ombudsman ReportThe state’s Office of the Ombudsman for Children and Youth in Foster Care released their 2018 report, citing that the office resolved 241 complaints from youth and confirmed 71 violations of policies, rules or children’s rights of those cases. There were more than 600 total complaints to the Ombudsman,...December 17, 2018
- DFPS Seeks Community-Based Care Contractor in Region 1On Dec. 7, 2018, DFPS released a request for application (RFA) for Community-Based Care in Region 1, which covers 41 counties in the Texas Panhandle. The RFA is to select the Single Source Continuum Contractor that will oversee foster and kinship care placement, case management and reunification services in Region...December 17, 2018
- Update on the Status of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in TexasThe Children's Commission has released a letter to Judges and Attorneys with a response to the lawsuit that declared the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) unconstitutional. The United States and Tribal Defendants both appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. On Dec. 3, 2018,...December 17, 2018
- Register Now for the 2019 Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer & CASA Day at the Capitol!Registration is now open for the 2019 Child Welfare Primer on Feb. 4 and CASA Day at the Capitol on Feb. 5! These two events will help spread CASA advocacy from the courtroom to the Capitol as we make our voices heard for our most vulnerable children in care.Both...December 17, 2018
- Giving with Your IRAThere are many ways to support Texas CASA - an often over-looked giving option is a gift from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA).If you are 70½ or older, you are required to distribute funds annually from your IRA. This mandatory distribution often creates a tax burden. But federal law*...December 17, 2018
- Change that Makes CentsAs you make your way through your last-minute holiday shopping, think of Texas CASA and the thousands of children in Texas spending the holidays in the foster care system. Here are some quick and easy ways to give back while you shop!CaringCentCaringCent’s goal is to give donors an easy...December 17, 2018
- Conversations with CASA - Delia MartinezTexas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs chats with Delia Martinez, co-founder of the San Antonio nonprofit Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Martinez has led the organization since it was created in 2016 to help grandparents obtain the information and resources they need most.https://youtu.be/FD62TZH0T14Nationally, many grandparents like Martinez are stepping in to raise...November 27, 2018
- Stand Up for Children in Style | New Online Store!Texas CASA is excited to announce the launch of our new online store, Stand Up for Children in Style. Our store will feature specially designed Texas CASA merchandise with 100% of the proceeds going towards advocacy for children in foster care across the state.The first collection, State of Well-Being,...November 27, 2018
- CASA Volunteer Spotlight: Patricia Bates & IsabellaIsabella* was just 2 years old when she and her two older sisters were first removed from home and placed in foster care. She was 12 years old when she met her CASA volunteer.She was adopted on her 14th birthday.CASA of the Coastal Bend volunteer Patricia Bates first heard...November 27, 2018
- Texas CASA Recommends: Instant FamilyReview by Emma LedfordTexas CASA Communications SpecialistInstant Family didn’t have to portray the foster-to-adopt process as realistically as it did – but it sure did – and it did it pretty darn well.Without giving too much away, here’s the basic plot: Pete (Mark Walhberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) feel...November 27, 2018
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Sarah CrockettSarah Crockett is the Public Policy Coordinator for Texas CASA. Sarah grew up in Idaho and has a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy from Northwest Nazarene University, and a master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan in Social Policy and Program Evaluation. Sarah served...November 27, 2018
- Texas CASA Testifies at Interim Hearing for House & Human Services CommitteeThe Texas House and Human Services Committee held its final interim hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Interim charges focused on several foster care issues with an emphasis on trauma-informed care. Texas CASA testified on improving health coverage for youth transitioning out of care and strengthening post-adoption services for adoptive...November 27, 2018
- Texas Delays Implementation of Family First Prevention Services ActThe U.S. Congress passed the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) in February 2018. This law restructured federal child welfare funding, particularly Title IV-E and Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, which Texas uses to pay for services for children in foster care and their families.The FFPSA seeks...November 27, 2018
- DFPS Announces 2nd Pilot Site for Family-Based Safety ServicesNueces County will be the next pilot site for Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) to roll out. DFPS has been directed to conduct these pilot programs for the following purposes: Increase the quality, availability and effectiveness of family preservation services so more families thrive and avoid future involvement with CPS;...November 27, 2018
- Federal Judge Issues Orders to CPS after Appellate RulingFederal District Judge Janis Jack issued an order on Nov. 20 that could: require CPS to increase staffing for conservatorship and child care licensing workers, cease use of so-called “I see you” workers, prohibit placement of more than six children in foster group homes without overnight supervision, and require...November 27, 2018
- Texas CASA Honors Judge Rob HofmannTexas CASA recently recognized the Honorable Rob Hofmann for his excellence as a judge and his leadership in improving educational outcomes for children and youth in foster care. The award was presented at the 2018 Judge's Reception hosted by Texas CASA at the annual Children's Commission Child Welfare Judges Conference. Following...November 27, 2018
- Emily's Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPART 11: ThanksgivingREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PART 9 | PART 10 | Part 11 | PART 12Emily:Thanksgiving may be my new favorite holiday! I had two this year. First it was just Mom, my aunt and me. Mom made my favorite mac and cheese and mashed potatoes....November 26, 2018
- Registration for 2019 Capitol Day & Primer Opening Dec. 3Registration for both the 2019 CASA Day at the Capitol and the Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer will open on Dec. 3, 2018! Stay tuned for an email announcing registration is open.The 2019 CASA Day at the Capitol will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. This is the day that CASA advocates...November 26, 2018
- Texas CASA CFE Team Wraps Up 11-City Training TourTexas CASA’s Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) team recently wrapped up a monthlong training tour, teaching CFE tools and principles to hundreds of CASA and CPS representatives from the 11 new CFE sites across Texas.Based on Kevin Campbell’s Family Finding Model, CFE is Texas’ approach to finding and strengthening positive...November 20, 2018
- Texas CASA Brings Together Black Pastors for Clergy, CASA & Community InitiativeOn Nov. 13, Texas CASA hosted a facilitated meeting with black pastors as they shared their stories about their ministries and how they are making a difference in their communities.This meeting was one of a series of facilitated listening sessions in our Clergy, CASA and Community initiative – a...November 16, 2018
- Be a Chance for a Child Who Needs YouBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAEven as a young girl I knew that I wanted children someday, but I never wanted to physically have them. It wasn’t that I was afraid, or that I thought the world was too populated, or any medical or philosophical reason – I...November 16, 2018
- NCMEC: Free Spotlight on Exploitation Trainings in 4 CitiesThe National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) – Texas Regional Office is hosting FREE Spotlight on Exploitation trainings in various cities to educate CASA volunteers, staff, board members and others involved with child welfare about the exploitation and trafficking of youth in foster care. Hear from experts with NCMEC, local law enforcement, service...November 16, 2018
- NEW! The CASA Voice in a MinuteEnjoy reading about CASA and child welfare news in The CASA Voice, but don’t always feel you have the time? Check out our NEW quarterly email, The CASA Voice in a Minute!We know things get busy. The CASA Voice in a Minute is a quarterly digest of The CASA Voice – taking...November 16, 2018
- Emily's Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPART 10: SupportREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PArt 9 | PART 10 | PART 11 | PART 12Maria, Emily's CASA Volunteer:I just got off the phone with Emily’s therapist. Today was Emily’s first visit with her dad since being removed from home. Her grandparents took...October 31, 2018
- Texas CASA Attends Meadows Mental Health ConferenceOn Oct. 23-25, the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute held their annual Engage and Excel Conference in Houston, Texas. Texas CASA attended the conference to hear from a wide range of panelists and speakers discussing how to enhance our behavioral health system in Texas. Part of the dialogue included...October 31, 2018
- First Day of Judicial Summit on Mental HealthTexas CASA attended The Judicial Summit on Mental Health in Houston presented by the Texas Children’s Commission and Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The Summit drew attendees from all across the state including judges, state agency staff, policymakers and several advocacy groups.Speakers presented opportunities for systemic change and...October 31, 2018
- Thank You to Our 2018 Texas CASA Conference: Tune In to CASA Sponsors!More than 600 members of the CASA community gathered at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center on Oct. 18-20, 2018, for the 2018 Texas CASA Conference: Tune In to CASA.This year’s conference would not have been possible without our generous sponsors. We are eternally grateful for their...October 31, 2018
- House Human Services Committee Hearing Oct. 23The House Human Services Committee met on Tuesday, Oct. 23, to monitor the activities of HHSC and DFPS and receive updates on certain legislation passed during the 85th Legislative Session. Texas CASA submitted written testimony to the committee.The committee first heard from HHSC, led by new Executive Commissioner Dr. Courtney...October 31, 2018
- 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Rules on Federal CPS LawsuitOn Oct. 18, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals released an opinion in the state’s appeal of the federal court ruling that found the Texas child welfare system violates the right of children in foster care to “personal security and reasonable safe living conditions.” The Court of Appeals upheld many but...October 31, 2018
- Leading the Way for a Trauma-informed Child Welfare SystemThough mental health receives special attention every year on Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day, Texas CASA works year-round to improve mental health and substance abuse services for families involved in the child welfare system. We’d like to share with you some of those initiatives.Utilizing data from the final...October 30, 2018
- Texas CASA Welcomes Education & Training Support SpecialistTexas CASA is pleased to welcome Sarah Ritch to our Education and Learning team as our Education and Training Support Specialist!Sarah is dedicated to improving outcomes for youth in the child protection system by giving CASA volunteers the tools to be the best possible advocates they can be, and...October 30, 2018
- CASA Takes Over Denton for 2018 Texas CASA ConferenceMore than 600 people from across Texas tuned in to CASA for the 2018 Texas CASA Conference! From Oct. 18-20, the CASA network took over Denton and came together to strengthen our advocacy. This year’s sessions were deep dives that focused on four areas: well-being, trauma-informed care, connections and...October 30, 2018
- Conversations with CASA - Kristene Blackstone Part 2Associate Commissioner for CPS Kristene Blackstone is back for another installment of Conversations with CASA to talk specifically about the Department's initiatives to respond to and protect youth in foster care who run away. In Fiscal Year 2017, roughly 1,700 youth ran away. The Department recovered 1,400 of the...October 29, 2018
- A Trauma-informed System that Works for Children & FamiliesBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAWe are officially into the fall season. I’ve always loved the fall – it reminds me of things like seeing the leaves change when I was growing up and excitement over the holidays approaching.I’m also reminded of crisp new school clothes and freshly...October 26, 2018
- Texas CASA Spotlight - Catherine DooleyCatherine Dooley, LMSW, is a Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach for Texas CASA, assisting in the delivery and implementation of CFE across the state. Prior to working with Texas CASA, Catherine contracted with the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas developing and evaluating trainings for volunteers and family advocates. Catherine...October 26, 2018
- Texas CASA Welcomes Legislative Advocacy CoordinatorTexas CASA is pleased to welcome Ann Strauser Palmer to our Public Policy team as our Legislative Advocacy Coordinator. Ann will be working with the CASA Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATs) as they advocate for positive change in the Texas child welfare system.After receiving her law degree from the University of...October 26, 2018
- The Family Helpline: A Critical Resource for CPS-involved Families & MoreAdvocates, lawyers, caseworkers and more would likely agree that the Texas child welfare system is complicated. But for the children and families involved with Child Protective Services (CPS) due to evidence of abuse or neglect, it’s more than just complicated. It’s overwhelming, and even scary.The Family Helpline for Strong...October 26, 2018
- Denton County CASA Program Hosts Men of CASA EventCASA of Denton County recently held a Men of CASA recruitment and awareness happy hour in Lewisville, as part of their effort to recruit more men to become CASA volunteers. The event was a great success - 17 men attended, including men currently serving as advocates, one advocate-in-training, and others...October 25, 2018
- Texas CASA Partner Care2Rock Wins Award for InnovationCare2Rock recently won The Inno Blazer award given by Austin Inno! This award honors start-up companies for their excellence in innovation.Care2Rock, a Texas CASA partner, provides free music lessons to children in foster care ages 7 and up. Lessons are given via video conference by a screened professional musician....October 25, 2018
- DFPS Releases 2018 Disproportionality AnalysisMaybe you've heard that disproportionality is an issue for the children and families in the child welfare system. But have you ever wondered what it looks like in your area?The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recently released their FY 2018 Disproportionality Analysis, which among other things states...October 25, 2018
- CASA of Hill County Texas Established as 72nd CASA ProgramCASA of Hill County Texas, based in Hillsboro, has been officially established as the 72nd CASA program in Texas. Previously served by another CASA program, Hill County's children and youth in foster care have a newly established, independent program waiting to advocate for them.The effort to create an independent...October 25, 2018
- Recordings Available: Public Policy Webinars on Legislative Priorities, Transitioning YouthThe Texas CASA Public Policy team recently hosted a three-part series of webinars about our legislative priorities for the 86th Legislative Session.2019 Legislative Priorities #1In the first of two webinars on its legislative priorities, the Texas CASA Public Policy team discusses the following items:Funding: Collaborative Family Engagement Community-Based Care Placement Proximity...October 24, 2018
- Emily's Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPART 9: ReturningREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PArt 9 | Part 10 | PART 11 | PART 12Emily:It's finally happening! I get to go home with Mom! I've been staying on the weekends, and it's been the best.At the same time, it was kind of...September 26, 2018
- Conversations with CASA - Richard LaValloIn this episode of Conversations with CASA, Vicki Spriggs speaks with Richard LaVallo, the Legal Director for Disability Rights Texas in Austin. The two discuss the work of Disability Rights Texas and their legal work for children in the child protection system, as well as ways CASA can advocate...September 26, 2018
- Texas CASA Testifies in Support of DFPS, HHSC LARs for 2020-2021 BienniumHHSC and DFPS have released their two-year Legislative Appropriations Requests (LARs) for the 2020-2021 biennium and recently presented them before representatives of the Governor’s office and the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). Agency LARs are written in accordance with instructions from the Governor and the LBB, and they consist of...September 26, 2018
- Texas CASA Attends Community Based Care Update in Fort WorthTexas CASA was at ACH Child and Family Services in Fort Worth on Sept. 24 getting an update on Community Based Care (CBC) alongside many of our partners. The community was out in force at the event, with Mayor Betsy Price, Sen. Konni Burton, Rep. Stephanie Klick and DFPS...September 26, 2018
- New Suicide Hotline Run by & for Transgender PeopleFor the first time, there is a suicide hotline in the US (and Canada) that is staffed entirely by transgender people, to serve transgender people.A disproportionately high number of children and youth in the foster care system are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ), and this fact is due in...September 25, 2018
- 2018 Study of Legal Representation in Child Protective Services CasesThe Children’s Commission recently released a study on legal representation in child protection cases. The study was mandated in House Bill 7 during the 2017 Legislative Session. The surveys and final report were developed by the Children’s Commission staff; working in concert with its Legal Representation Committee, DFPS and...September 25, 2018
- Webinar - Missing Children & Child Sex Trafficking: Risk Factors, Indicators & How to RespondGov. Greg Abbott’s Child Sex Trafficking Team and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) are hosting a webinar to help agencies identify and respond to indicators of child sex trafficking among high-risk populations.The Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act, P.L. 113-183 (H.R. 4980), included mandates...September 25, 2018
- Four Collaborative Family Engagement Sites Gather in Austin to Share Highlights & ChallengesOn Sept. 12, Texas CASA's Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) team, DFPS, and CASA and CPS representatives from four CFE sites gathered in Austin to share highlights and challenges.Studies have found that one of the strongest indicators for child well-being is the number of committed adults in their life. CFE is an...September 24, 2018
- Reflecting on National Hispanic Heritage MonthBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAImagine you’ve been taken from the only home you have ever known and placed in a foster home with people that do not speak your language, do not serve the types of foods you are used to and do not understand the subtleties...September 24, 2018
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Chris KellyChristine "Chris" Kelly is the Executive Assistant for Texas CASA. Besides being the first friendly face we see in the morning, Chris answers the phone; ensures our office operates effectively by overseeing building maintenance, IT support and ordering supplies; and works with our Board of Directors, CEO and staff on...September 24, 2018
- McCraw Oil/Kwik Chek Partners with CASA for 11th Annual Charity Golf TournamentMcCraw Oil/Kwik Chek recently hosted their annual charity golf tournament at the Tanglewood Resort and Conference Center in Pottsboro, Texas.The event raised an outstanding $56,000 for local CASA programs in their areas of operation and Texas CASA, bringing the tournament’s grand contribution total to $560,000 to date.“We are grateful...September 21, 2018
- Submit Your Story Ideas for The CASA Voice!Do you, or does someone you know, have a success story to tell in the realm of child welfare? Do you want your organization's work for children and families to be highlighted on the statewide level? Did your CASA program recently welcome a new class of advocates? Let us know so...September 21, 2018
- September Opportunities: Symposium on Foster Care & Trauma-informed Care ConferenceThe Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services’ Center for Child and Family Studies will hold a Symposium on Foster Care in Austin on Sept. 5. Get the details on their website.Upbring is also hosting its annual Trauma-Informed Care Conference on Saturday, Sept. 22. It will be held in...August 29, 2018
- DFPS Releases Foster Care Needs Assessment ReportDFPS recently released its foster care needs assessment report, which provides important information showing foster care capacity broken down by Community Based Care catchment areas. The data in the report enable analysis and understanding of the sufficiency of placement capacity and types of residential capacity in the 17 identified catchment...August 29, 2018
- DFPS Releases Report on the Performance of Community Based CareDFPS released the “Rider 21” report on Community Based Care (CBC), which is a required annual report on the performance of the contracts under CBC. The report is a comparative analysis between the legacy system and the redesigned CBC catchment areas. The report centers around the only contract that is actively...August 29, 2018
- FamilyBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAThe word family means different things to different people. Some reserve the term for blood relatives, and maybe the ones blood relatives marry. Others use it to refer to the friends that play an important role in their lives, or the people they...August 29, 2018
- Conversations with CASA - Andrea SparksThe Director of Gov. Greg Abbott's Child Sex Trafficking Team joined Vicki Spriggs for a new installment of Conversations with CASA. The two discuss the high risk children and youth in foster care face of being victims of human trafficking and what CASA can do to prevent youth from...August 29, 2018
- Are You Ready to Tune In to CASA?The 2018 Texas CASA Conference: Tune In to CASA is taking place in Denton from Oct. 18-20, and we want you to join us for three days of inspirational speakers, networking opportunities and more! The core of the CASA mission is advocacy for the children we serve, and it is...August 29, 2018
- Big Plans for Collaborative Family Engagement Year 4The biological mother of a 16-year-old girl whose rights were previously terminated has been found and engaged, and has been reconnected with her child. They just had their fourth CFE family meeting, and thanks to the efforts of all involved, they are moving towards the teen going home with...August 29, 2018
- CASA of the Coastal Bend Hosts Fun-filled Field Trips for YouthToo often, children and youth in foster care are forced to grow up too fast – but Corpus Christi-based CASA of the Coastal Bend is making sure the kids they serve get to participate in the types of fun activities associated with a normal childhood through CASA field trip...August 29, 2018
- Representatives Sarah Davis & Gene Wu Recognized as Big Voices for Little Texans®Texas CASA and Child Advocates, Inc. recognized exceptional leadership by State Representatives Sarah Davis and Gene Wu on behalf of children in foster care with the presentation of Big Voices for Little Texans® awards at a Child Advocates luncheon in Houston on Thursday, Aug. 23.L to R: Rep. Gene...August 29, 2018
- Emily's Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPART 8: AdvancementsREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | Part 8 | PArt 9 | Part 10 | PART 11 | PART 12Maria, Emily’s CASA Volunteer:Emily started school again and was so happy to be back at her old school with her friends! It's great seeing her life...August 29, 2018
- Texas CASA Hosts Successful Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT) RetreatOn Aug. 17-18, Texas CASA hosted a successful Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT) Retreat sponsored by CenterPoint Energy. The event kicked off with a networking dinner on Friday night, followed by a full day of work on Saturday. 28 local CASA programs were represented at the retreat, and several Texas CASA board...August 29, 2018
- Texas CASA Welcomes Public Policy FellowTexas CASA is pleased to welcome Bryan Mares to our Public Policy team! As our new Public Policy Fellow, Bryan will work with policy makers to develop legislative proposals aimed at improving mental health and substance use services for families involved in the child welfare system, in addition to advocating...August 29, 2018
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Leslie MortonLeslie Morton is the Communications and Awareness Executive Director for Texas CASA and has been with the organization for almost six years. She was hired as the Training Manager, became the Training Director, and was shortly thereafter asked to also lead the Communications Department. These two departments were divided...August 29, 2018
- Exhibitor Space Available at 2018 Texas CASA ConferenceTexas CASA is looking for exciting exhibitors and vendors to show and sell products of interest at the 2018 Texas CASA Conference: Tune In to CASA in Denton from Oct. 18-20! We want your help creating the best experience for our more than 800 conference attendees.Throughout the three days of the conference, exhibitors will be...August 23, 2018
- Judge Robert Hofmann, Longtime CASA Supporter, Elected to the NCJFCJ Board of DirectorsThe National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) recently elected Judge Robert Hofmann, 452nd District Court, Mason, Texas, to the NCJFCJ Board of Directors.Judge Hofmann is a longtime supporter of CASA – in addition to being a leader in the creation and organization of Bluebonnet CASA in...August 23, 2018
- 2018 Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer a Success!Texas CASA recently hosted our successful 2018 Child Welfare Primer sponsored by the Children’s Commission. With nearly 200 attendees, the event was a collaboration between CASA, CPS, caregivers, and youth and families with past CPS involvement – all focused on developing new ways to increase and support child and...August 16, 2018
- Emily's Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPart 7: NormalcyREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | Part 7 | PART 8 | PArt 9 | Part 10 | PART 11 | PART 12Maria, Emily’s CASA Volunteer:It's been a great few weeks for Emily. She's really thriving at her grandparents and getting to see her mom more...July 25, 2018
- Texas Public Policy Team Meets with Newly Forming Amarillo LAT TeamThe Texas CASA Public Policy team recently spent time with the newly forming Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT) with Amarillo Area CASA. The group is one of a number of teams who will join our legislative advocacy efforts during the upcoming 86th Texas Legislative Session.The session is quickly approaching and...July 25, 2018
- Who Will You Nominate?By Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASABeing a CASA volunteer is no easy task. Often referred to as the premier, volunteer opportunity in the country, the role of a CASA can be challenging. Although some of the top volunteer organizations do great work and have wonderful volunteers, the difference...July 25, 2018
- Texas CASA 2018 Conference Sponsorship OpportunitiesGrow your business and elevate your brand by investing in our largest signature event bringing together more than 800 individuals from across the state.We have several exciting sponsorship opportunities available! Reach thousands across multiple social media channels by sponsoring our mirror photo booth Encourage well-being and provide a positive...July 25, 2018
- Get Your Specialty CASA License Plate!You can help raise awareness for CASA and support the local programs across Texas by purchasing a specialty CASA license plate for your vehicle! For every $30 plate sold, $22 of that goes to Texas CASA and the local programs to increase our statewide efforts to advocate for every...July 25, 2018
- Hold the Dates! 2019 Primer & CASA Day at Capitol Set for Feb. 4-5Texas CASA has arranged space at the Texas Capitol to host the 2019 CASA Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. This is the day that CASA advocates from across Texas join together at the Capitol to advocate on behalf of Texas CASA’s legislative priories. Texas CASA will also be...July 24, 2018
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Jenny HaynesJenny Haynes serves as Texas CASA’s Board President and has been a member of the committee for several years. Haynes is a retired professional in public relations and communications with 35 years of fundraising, marketing, communications and governmental affairs experience. She has been a CASA volunteer in Collin County since...July 24, 2018
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas & Texas CASA: 13 Years of PartnershipTexas CASA is honored to be a partner of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for more than 13 years. Together we are improving the physical and mental health of Texas children in foster care!BCBSTX has awarded us an extraordinary total of $1,295,500 over the course of our...July 23, 2018
- Nurses At Medical Center Hospital Raise Money For CASA of the Permian Basin AreaCASA of the Permian Basin Area in Odessa recently received a generous donation of $8,278 from the nurses at Medical Center Hospital. The nurses choose a local nonprofit each year that they help raise money and awareness for, and this year, CASA was the special recipient. The Odessa program...July 23, 2018
- Last Chance to Register for 2018 LAT RetreatRegistration is now open for the 2018 Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT) Retreat, scheduled for the evening of Friday, Aug. 17, and all day Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center in Austin. Programming will center on the Texas CASA legislative priorities and LAT capacity building.Learn more and register at...July 23, 2018
- 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book Now AvailableThe Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released the 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book, which ranks each state on overall child well-being based on four factors: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. In this year’s report, Texas ranked 43rd overall – a drop from 41st in 2017. Although...July 20, 2018
- Creating Lifetime Networks Around Children & FamiliesBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAJune is National Reunification Month, and as the world watches the ongoing crisis at the Texas border, Texas CASA stands committed to putting the best interest of the child first and foremost in everything we do.This month takes on a more pressing meaning...June 27, 2018
- Conversations with CASA - Kristene BlackstoneAssociate Commissioner for Child Protective Services Kristene Blackstone sits down with Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs to talk about the department's successes over the past two years under her leadership and areas where they are still working to improve.https://youtu.be/aQBFzvc84EgBlackstone has been associate commissioner for CPS in Texas since May...June 27, 2018
- Get Ready to Discover Denton During the 2018 Texas CASA ConferenceThe 2018 Texas CASA Conference: Tune In to CASA is taking over Denton from October 18-20! Across Texas, CASA is at the forefront of effectively advocating for a brighter future for all Texas children, and we want everyone to Tune In and take notice.This year's conference will take place...June 27, 2018
- Emily’s Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPART 6: ProgressREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PArt 9 | Part 10 | PART 11 | PART 12Maria, Emily’s CASA Volunteer:Good news! Emily just moved in with her grandma and grandpa. I’m hopeful that this will be her last move until...June 27, 2018
- Sponsor the 2018 Texas CASA Conference Today!Texas CASA is excited to announce that our 2018 Texas CASA Conference: Tune In to CASA will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center from Oct. 18-20. Secure your sponsorship now!Join the CASA movement by investing in our largest signature event where we bring together...June 27, 2018
- Texans Care for Children Releases Paper on Federal Family First ActThe advocacy group Texans Care for Children has released an issue brief explaining the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), which, in addition to highlighting several key components of the FFPSA, also identifies key questions and challenges Texas faces in implementing the law. The Family First Act makes...June 27, 2018
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Veronica Marquez ForsythVeronica Marquez Forsyth, Chief Administrative Officer, first joined Texas CASA after working as a supervisor for CASA of Travis County. Her passions include helping others grow and develop as well as serving as a CASA volunteer. Veronica feels that she has been given a lot, so she is committed to giving back...June 27, 2018
- Refurbished Computers Available to Youth Served by CASAHas your local program taken advantage of Computers for CASA? Launched on Feb. 1, the Computers for CASA program gives CASA programs the ability to request Texas’ state agency surplus computers to distribute to CASA children and youth. This program was made possible thanks to our shared legislative advocacy efforts...June 27, 2018
- Texas CASA Invites You to the 2018 Child Welfare PrimerTexas CASA extends an invitation to our network and our partners to participate in the 2018 Child Welfare Primer on Thursday, July 26, 2018! The event will take place at the Norris Conference Center in Austin. Programming and discussion will be in depth and collaborative, and focused on child and family engagement...June 27, 2018
- NOW AVAILABLE: Texas CASA Educational Advocacy Guidebook & Pocket GuideThe Second Edition of the Educational Advocacy Guidebook – which was updated in 2018 to reflect legislative and policy changes that have happened since its initial release in 2015 – is now available for CASA volunteers and staff to use.The Educational Advocacy Guidebook is designed to provide CASA volunteers with the knowledge...June 27, 2018
- Big Things on the Horizon from Texas CASA's Education & Learning TeamTexas CASA's Education and Learning team has been hard at work creating training materials to assist the CASA programs across the state. We are creating a fully revised, Texas-specific version of the pre-service volunteer curriculum - complete with a facilitator guide and an online, e-learning option for training participants'...June 27, 2018
- Legislative Advocacy Teams Continue Their Interim WorkMany of Texas CASA’s 26 Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATs) continue to work within their communities this interim legislative year to strengthen their relationships with their elected officials. Teams are making district legislative office visits, increasing their education on issue areas and growing their groups through recruitment and action planning....June 27, 2018
- Save the Date - 2018 Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT) Retreat Registration Opens July 2The Texas CASA Public Policy team continues to plan for the Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT) Retreat! The event is scheduled for the evening of Friday, Aug. 17, and all day Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center in Austin. Programming will center on the Texas CASA legislative priorities...June 27, 2018
- Conversations with CASA - Brandy HowardIn this installment of Conversations with CASA, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs sits down with Foster Youth Attorney Brandy Howard with Disability Rights Texas to discuss the organization's legal work in supporting children and youth in the foster care system.https://youtu.be/r60V9zZCtZgAs a Foster Youth Attorney, Howard often serves as co-Attorney...May 30, 2018
- CASA of the Sabine Neches Region Hosts Grand Re-opening After Hurricane HarveyBack in August of 2017, southeast Texas was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey, leaving countless homes and businesses in its path destroyed. The storm forced many to evacuate due to the dangerous conditions. Several local CASA programs were also affected and suffered damages, including CASA of the Sabine Neches...May 30, 2018
- CASA of Collin County Wins $100K from Reliant Energy® Gives Contest!CASA of Collin County recently won $100,000 from the Reliant Energy® Gives Contest! This funding will help the McKinney-based program continue training dedicated volunteers, increase the number of volunteers trained each year, and ensure that 100 percent of children placed into foster care in Collin County have a voice.Each year, Reliant...May 30, 2018
- Video: My Voice Matters: The Value of Youth Voice in CourtTexas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) has released a video called "My Voice Matters: The Value of Youth Voice in Court," to help legal professionals understand the importance of youth voice and ways they can help ensure youth are heard in court proceedings that affect them. The video features interviews...May 30, 2018
- Emily's Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPART 5: ConnectionsREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | Part 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PArt 9 | Part 10 | PART 11 | PART 12Emily:I don’t really fit in at my new school. Sometimes, my classmates whisper about me when they think I can’t hear. They spread...May 30, 2018
- Donor Spotlight: Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair & Beauty Celebrating 1 YearJanet St. Paul and her team are celebrating one year in their downtown location with customer appreciation specials throughout the month of June. We are honored that a portion of these proceeds will be donated to Texas CASA.Specials include: Hair and Beauty Package - $230 Includes Hair Treatment, 30-minute DermalInfusion® Facial,...May 30, 2018
- 2018 Texas CASA Conference Theme & Keynote Revealed!Join us this October for the 2018 Texas CASA Conference as we Tune In to CASA! Across Texas, CASA is at the forefront of effectively advocating for a brighter future for all Texas children, and we want everyone to Tune In and take notice. Now is the time to dial...May 30, 2018
- Texas CASA Partners with Care2Rock to Provide Music Lessons for Children in Foster CareCare2Rock, a new virtual music lesson social enterprise, has teamed up with Texas CASA for our Computers for CASA program to provide free music lessons for foster children and youth.Texas CASA championed a bill last legislative session, SB 78, which gives CASA programs access to Texas’ state agency surplus...May 30, 2018
- Paving the Way for Brighter Outcomes for ChildrenBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAWhen we look back on our journey through life – the turning points, accomplishments and the important choices we’ve made – many of us can point to key people who encouraged and supported us, and helped keep us on the right path towards...May 30, 2018
- Texas CASA Awarded Hogg Foundation Grant for Mental Health Policy FellowTexas CASA was recently awarded a grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. The grant will provide for a Mental Health Policy Fellow who will work with our Public Affairs team to further our leadership and understanding in the areas of mental health and trauma-informed care. Hogg Policy...May 25, 2018
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Glenn BrooksGlenn Brooks, Grants Management Executive Director, first joined Texas CASA in 2004 after retiring from his longtime role in the Criminal Justice Division (CJD) of the Governor's Office. Today, he oversees our Grants Management Department, which distributes more than $26 million a year in pass-through state and federal funds...May 25, 2018
- Thank You for Helping Us Pass the Frisbee!For Child Abuse Prevention Month, we challenged the CASA network to pass the CASA Frisbee all across Texas, and you rose to the challenge! With more than 100 video submissions from CASA programs all across the state, we showed that the CASA Spirit is unstoppable; from the Panhandle to South...May 15, 2018
- Rep. James Frank Recognized with Big Voices for Little Texans® AwardState Representative James Frank was recognized with the Texas CASA Big Voices for Little Texans® award during the Child Advocates - CASA of the Red River Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in Wichita Falls on Thursday, May 10. The award was presented by Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs, along with Child...May 15, 2018
- Texas CASA Welcomes Curriculum Designer & TrainerTexas CASA is pleased to welcome Margaret Halpin to our Education and Learning team as our Curriculum Designer and Trainer. Margaret first joined the CASA network in 2016 as the Training Coordinator with CASA of Travis County, and is thrilled to bring her passion for creating and facilitating participant-centered learning experiences to the...May 15, 2018
- Turning Awareness into ActionBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAOver the past few months, we’ve been diving into a year in the life of a foster child told through the eyes of a young girl named Emily.Emily has been removed from an abusive and dangerous situation, but she is far from “saved”...April 25, 2018
- Donor Spotlight: Artist Michael MaliziaTexas CASA was honored to partner with artist Michael Malizia of My Life Studio. Based in Hoboken, N.J., Malizia collaborates with his clients to create awe-inspiring artworks from beloved artifacts. His use of keepsakes, from ticket stubs to children’s drawings, paints the picture of what CASA strives to provide...April 25, 2018
- 3 Ways to Take Part in Child Abuse Prevention MonthThis month is a special time for communities, families and individuals to work together and fight child abuse. Texas CASA believes we can achieve what others think is impossible, and that each and every one of us is an essential part of breaking the cycle of abuse.Be a part...April 25, 2018
- Emily’s Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPART 4: CourtREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PArt 9 | Part 10 | PART 11 | PART 12Maria, Emily’s CASA Volunteer:Emily’s caseworker and I paid her a visit the other day to see how she’s doing....April 25, 2018
- Fun in the Sun with ShopCASA!With the warmer weather comes lots of fun outdoor activities like hiking and having a picnic - and ShopCASA has you covered for all of your spring and summertime essentials! From picnic blankets and water bottles, to backpacks and more all in one place, you can make the most of the...April 24, 2018
- Conversations with CASA - Tara PerryThe CASA movement has been spreading across the country, and helping to lead the way is National CASA. In this month's Conversations with CASA, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs sits down with National CASA CEO Tara Perry to discuss advances being made at the national level to support quality...April 23, 2018
- Texas CASA Welcomes Creative Multimedia Developer & TrainerTexas CASA is pleased to welcome Jonathan Horstmann to our Education and Learning team as our Creative Multimedia Developer and Trainer. Jonathan has been telling the stories of nonprofits and community groups in Texas for the last decade. He aims to simplify complex concepts through illustration, video design and song. Passionate for social...April 20, 2018
- Texans Care for Children Releases Groundbreaking Study on Teen Pregnancy in Foster CareTexas CASA is proud to have partnered with Texans Care for Children over the last year as they researched and studied the issue of teen pregnancy in the Texas child welfare system. On April 16, Texans Care released their final report entitled Fostering Healthy Texas Lives: Strategies to Prevent Teen...April 19, 2018
- 9th Annual Education Reach for Texans Conference on June 1-2 in DentonCASA program staff, volunteers and others who are interested in learning more about supporting foster youth and alumni in attending college or preparing for post-secondary educational opportunities should consider registering for Education Reach for Texans’ upcoming conference.The 9th Annual Education Reach for Texans Conference will be hosted by North Central Texas...April 19, 2018
- Texas CASA Hosts Clergy, CASA & Community MeetingOn April 10, Texas CASA brought together CASA programs and faith leaders from communities all around the state for a "Clergy, CASA & Community" meeting to explore the possibilities of partnering to safeguard permanency for children in foster care. Working to better understand how we can align the purpose...April 17, 2018
- Hill Country CASA Executive Director Named to National CASA Rural Leadership CouncilThe National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association announced earlier this month that Stephanie Cash, Executive Director of Hill Country CASA based in Kerrville, has been appointed as a member of its Rural Leadership Council.The Rural Leadership Council is one of four local CASA program advisory councils (Urban, Suburban,...April 13, 2018
- Dallas CASA Receives $75,000 Grant to Recruit More Advocates for Abused & Neglected ChildrenDallas CASA was recently awarded a $75,000 grant from Jewelers for Children (JFC), the charitable arm of the jewelry industry, as part of a $450,000 grant that JFC made to the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association.This grant will allow Dallas CASA to recruit and train more volunteers to...April 13, 2018
- NCMEC Offering Free Spotlight on Exploitation Trainings in Multiple Texas CitiesThe National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) – Texas Regional Office is hosting FREE Spotlight on Exploitation trainings in various cities to educate CASA volunteers, staff, board members and others involved with child welfare about the exploitation and trafficking of foster youth. Hear from experts with NCMEC, local law enforcement, service providers and...April 13, 2018
- CASA Participation Needed for Children's Commission Legal Representation SurveyThe Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission is implementing a comprehensive study of the legal representation provided to parents and children in child protection cases. The goal of the study is to capture the most accurate picture possible of how legal representation of parents and children in CPS cases...March 28, 2018
- Save the Date for Texas CASA's 2018 Child Welfare PrimerThe Texas CASA Public Affairs team is already hard at work planning for our 2018 Child Welfare Primer - Moving Toward a Child, Youth & Family-Centered System: Opportunities in Court & Service Planning.This year's Primer is taking place on July 26, 2018, from approximately 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., at...March 28, 2018
- Senate Holds Important Interim Hearing on Child Welfare IssuesOn March 22, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee held an all-day hearing on its interim charges related to child welfare and substance abuse. The committee heard testimony from the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), invited guests and the...March 28, 2018
- TNOYS 35th Annual Conference on Service to Youth & FamiliesRegistration is open for the Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) Annual Conference, taking place in Houston on June 6-8, and for the pre-conference institutes on June 5. Register today and join TNOYS for interactive workshops, fun networking opportunities and engaging speakers!While youth have been participating in the conference...March 28, 2018
- Raise Awareness for Child Abuse Prevention this April with ShopCASAApril is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and if we want to one day achieve our vision of a safe, positive future for all Texas children, we must all do our part to raise awareness and break the cycle of child abuse and neglect. With ShopCASA, it's easy to...March 28, 2018
- Closing Out March Matchness – There’s Still Time to Participate!With the final four and championship right around the corner, it is safe to say that this year’s March Madness has lived up to its name. Celebrate the underdogs, hot streaks, and victories by participating in Texas CASA’s March Matchness!Your gift to Texas CASA could be matched dollar-for-dollar by...March 28, 2018
- Go Forth & Do Great ThingsBy Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAI often wrap up Texas CASA staff meetings with the phrase “Go forth and do great things.” It’s my way of making sure each and every staff member leaves the meeting reinvigorated, conscious that their efforts make a difference, and recommitted to our...March 28, 2018
- Child Abuse Prevention Month Challenge - Pass the Frisbee!For Child Abuse Prevention Month, Texas CASA is challenging the network to pass the frisbee! We are calling on you to stand up against child abuse this April and spread our message by passing the CASA Frisbee as far as possible! Together we can show that the CASA Spirit...March 27, 2018
- CASA Network Continues to Step It Up for Texas ChildrenLast year, the 71 CASA programs in Texas grew faster than ever before – and the data for Fiscal Year 2018, Quarter 2 (December 2017 – February 2018) shows that we are continuing to build on that momentum. During Q2: The CASA programs assigned 854 new volunteers to a case, for...March 27, 2018
- Conversations with CASA - Jenny HaynesIn the latest installment of our new series, Conversations with CASA, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs and Board President-elect Jenny Haynes discuss the future of Texas CASA and the CASA network.https://youtu.be/KQDAhHxQ7kcHaynes is a retired professional in public relations and communications with 35 years of fundraising, marketing, communications and governmental...March 27, 2018
- CFE Coach Catherine Dooley Receives Award from CASA of the Coastal BendSeana Towler, Program Director of CASA of the Coastal Bend, and Catherine Dooley, Texas CASA CFE Coach.Texas CASA Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach Catherine Dooley was recently honored by CASA of the Coastal Bend at their annual awards and volunteer recognition event. Catherine received the Special Recognition Award for...March 27, 2018
- Texas CASA Welcomes Education & Training Executive DirectorTexas CASA is pleased to welcome Abe Louise Young as our Education and Training Executive Director. Abe Louise is a passionate advocate for youth who has designed learning ecosystems and curricula for nonprofit groups nationwide for the past 20 years. She is the author of numerous books and guides, including Texas CASA’s The Art of...March 27, 2018
- Symposium on Organizational Excellence in Austin April 9The Texas Center for Child and Family Studies is hosting the first-ever Symposium on Organizational Excellence on April 9, an opportunity for agencies to come together to learn how to improve operations, policies and practices so that we can better provide for Texas’s most vulnerable children and families. The Center...February 28, 2018
- NCMEC Offers Free Spotlight on Exploitation Training on March 29 in BeaumontThe National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) – Texas Regional Office is hosting a FREE Spotlight on Exploitation training on March 29 in Beaumont to educate CASA volunteers, staff, board members and others involved with child welfare about the exploitation and trafficking of foster youth. Hear from experts with NCMEC, local law enforcement, service providers and...February 28, 2018
- Texas CASA Spotlight: Cathy CockerhamCathy Cockerham, Texas CASA Liaison for Program Development, has been involved with the CASA cause for more than 30 years, first at the local level with CASA of Travis County. Today, she serves as a leader for the statewide CASA network, helping CASA programs expand into unserved areas and...February 28, 2018
- Emily’s Story: A Year in the Life of a Foster ChildPART 2: ChangesREAD: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PArt 9 | Part 10 | PART 11 | PART 12Maria, Emily’s CASA Volunteer:After my first CASA case ended, I couldn’t wait to start my next one. I...February 28, 2018
- Together We Can. Together We Will.By Vicki SpriggsChief Executive Officer of Texas CASAEarlier this month, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) released its 2017 Interactive Data Book. The Data Book contains key statistics on child abuse and neglect in Texas, as well as information on the Child Protective Services (CPS) workforce. Let’s...February 28, 2018
- Upcoming Legislative Hearings on Child Protection IssuesBoth Texas Senate and House committees will hold hearings on important child protection issues during March. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will hold two days of hearings on March 21 and 22. The first day will focus primarily on Medicaid-related issues. The second day, March 22, includes...February 28, 2018
- Watch & Share: Texas CASA 85th Legislative Session Update Video SeriesTexas CASA, along with some of our child welfare advocacy partners, created a series of eight videos to break down some of the laws passed during the 85th Legislative Session – focusing on the most important issue areas impacting foster children and youth. Over the past few months, we have...February 28, 2018
- CASA of Central Texas Receives Generous Donation & Community RecognitionCASA of Central Texas, the local program serving Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays Counties, recently received a $500,000 donation from Miriam McCoy of McCoy’s Building Supply – the largest one-time gift in the organization’s history.The gift was made to the program’s Capital Campaign to build an office in San...February 28, 2018
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