Inside CASA - Texas CASA

Order Bulk Print Copies on the CASA Marketplace!

Did you know you can order Texas CASA guidebooks, marketing materials and more online and have them delivered? We’ve partnered with Mimeo to create the CASA Marketplace, an online...

October 26, 2021

Webinar Opportunities with National CASA/GAL

The National CASA/GAL Association regularly hosts webinars and other training opportunities around advocacy topics, program leadership and administration and more. Highlights for November 2021 include: Virtual COPE (the Cost...

October 26, 2021

Effective Now: Changes to Policy 2400 of the Child Protective Services Handbook

On Oct. 1, 2021, DFPS revised its Policy 2400 that outlines the process for when Child Protective Investigations (CPI) sends a case from Investigations to voluntary Family-Based Safety Services...

October 26, 2021

DFPS Releases Rider 33 Disproportionality & Disparity Analysis

As directed by the 87th Legislature, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recently released a report on the number of children removed from their homes and the...

October 26, 2021

DFPS Releases Rider 15 Report for Community-Based Care

As directed by the 86th Texas Legislature, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recently released a report providing performance measures and comparative trends between the legacy foster...

October 26, 2021

Register Now for December Art of Facilitation for Pre-Service Training Workshop!

Texas CASA will be offering a virtual Art of Facilitation for Pre-Service Training workshop over the course of three days: Dec. 7, 9 and 13 from 10 a.m. to...

October 12, 2021

Network-Wide Discussion on Programs' Response to the Pandemic

Please join us on Oct. 27 at 9 a.m. CT as Texas CASA hosts a discussion for the CASA network regarding ongoing practices during the pandemic. Both programs and...

October 12, 2021

Federal Lawsuit Update & Court-Appointed Monitors' Report

In the ongoing federal lawsuit against the Texas foster care system, U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack held a virtual hearing on Sept. 14, 2021. Several child placing agencies...

October 12, 2021

New! Crisis Communications & Risk Management Guide

Texas CASA just launched a comprehensive Crisis Communications and Risk Management Guide for CASA programs. In the guide, you'll find information about all types of crises that CASA programs...

October 12, 2021

Fundraising Tips - Texas CASA Board Pledge Form Overview

Private sector and individual giving are essential for parts to maintaining a CASA program's advocacy efforts. In this two-minute video, Chief Social Impact Officer Kara Hobbs goes through the...

October 12, 2021

DFPS Releases Kinship Care Report

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recently released a report on the Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program (RODC). The program supports continuity and stability for children...

October 12, 2021

Show & Tell with Texas CASA Teams! Oct. 25 VCA Monthly Zoom

During the next VCA monthly Zoom, we will hear from Texas CASA team members who will present resources and tools from their departments and announce upcoming events and trainings....

October 12, 2021

DFPS Releases Report on Children Without Placement

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recently released a report on children in their care who are living in unlicensed facilities - they refer to children in...

October 12, 2021

CFE: Courageous Connections 2-Part Training Series

CFE: Courageous Connections is a two-part virtual training where CASA, Child Protective Services and Community-Based Care staff come together to learn about the fundamentals of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE)...

September 21, 2021

Register for National CASA/GAL Professional Development Courses

The National CASA/GAL Association recognizes the importance of professional development opportunities. Depending on where you reside, you may or may not have access to ongoing training and education to...

September 21, 2021

National CASA/GAL 2021 Year-End Campaign Network Toolkit Available Now

The National CASA/GAL Association recently released their 2021 Year-End Campaign Network Toolkit.Download ToolkitYear-end is one of the most important times for fundraising for mission-based organizations. The purpose of the...

September 21, 2021

Complete FY 2021 Texas CASA Annual Survey for Chance to Win Prizes

Texas CASA is seeking feedback from local CASA program Executive Directors, program staff and board members regarding our Fiscal Year 2021 services, responses and initiatives through the FY 2021...

September 20, 2021

Strategic Planning Training on Oct. 13

Texas CASA is sponsoring a Strategic Planning Training on Oct. 13 at 12 p.m. CT for local CASA program Executive Directors and board members. M. Gale and Associates will...

September 20, 2021

Meeting Health Needs of Youth in Foster Care! Overcoming Barriers to Vaccination for Persons with Disabilities

Join us on Sept. 16, 2021, at 12 p.m. (CT) for a webinar discussion of the TPIA - Vaccine Access Initiative and how CASA can assist children in foster...

September 7, 2021

Have You Joined the CASA Training Google Group?

The CASA Training Google Group serves as a place for local CASA trainers to share information and seek input from each other, and has dozens of trainers from across...

September 7, 2021

Texas CASA Releases the 2021 Standards for Local CASA/GAL Programs

Texas CASA has released the 2021 Standards for Local CASA/GAL Programs, which indicate the rules and requirements for local CASA program operation and advocacy. The objective of the Standards...

September 7, 2021

Texas CASA FY 2022 Calendar

Texas CASA has developed a front-and-back Fiscal Year 2022 Calendar that lists Important Dates, Trainings and Program Calls to assist local programs in planning for the new fiscal year.VIEW...

September 7, 2021

Help Young People Apply for PanAid by Sept. 15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jsmPPX81X8Ronika wants you to know that young adults age 18-26, who aged out of foster care or are in extended care, are eligible to receive $1,000 in free, no-strings-attached...

September 7, 2021

FY 2021 Q4 Performance Measures Due Sept. 14

Performance Measures for the fourth quarter and EOY of Fiscal Year 2021 are due by close of business on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021.Reminders: Quarter 4 includes ONLY cases opened...

September 7, 2021

November Commercial Sexual Exploitation-Identification Tool Training

The Commercial Sexual Exploitation-Identification Tool (CSE-IT, pronounced “see it”), built by Westcoast Children's Clinic, is designed to improve early identification of children who are commercially sexually exploited. The CSE-IT...

September 7, 2021

Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Expands to 9 More CASA Programs

Texas CASA is excited to announce that in Fiscal Year 2022, Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) will be expanding into nine more CASA programs across the state! This means that...

September 7, 2021

Training: Introducing the New Texas CASA Standards for Local CASA/GAL Programs

The new Texas CASA Standards for Local CASA/GAL Programs became effective on June 25, 2021, when they were approved by the Texas CASA board. Monitoring of the new standards...

September 7, 2021

Social Media Calendar & Media Release Templates Available in the PR Toolkit

Looking for September's social media calendar and media release template? Find them and more in the Public Relations Toolkit!Browse the PR ToolkitBACK TO INSIDE CASA HOME PAGE

August 24, 2021

Fostering School Success Introduction Webinar Sept. 7

Join Dr. Gwen Bass and the Child Welfare League of America for Fostering School Success: How Caregivers and Social Workers Can Support the Educational Needs of Children, taking place...

August 23, 2021

DFPS Releases Rider 24 Report: Utilization of Appropriate Levels of Care in Foster Care

As required by the 86th Legislature, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has released its quarterly report on the Utilization of Appropriate Levels of Care in Foster...

August 23, 2021

ICYMI: Texas CASA Public Policy Webinars & Overview of the 87th Legislature

Texas CASA’s Public Policy team hosted and recorded two webinars for CASA volunteers, staff and stakeholders to learn about the outcomes of the 87th Texas Legislature. The first webinar...

August 23, 2021

Guide to Texas CASA's Learning Center & Program Portal

Whatever your role in the CASA community, Texas CASA has trainings and resources for you! See below for a quick-and-easy guide on where to go to get what you...

August 23, 2021

VCA Team Talks Optima with Special Guests!

Our special guests for August's Volunteer Coaching and Advocacy (VCA) Zoom call are Texas CASA Program Operations Director Celeste Prather and Hill Country CASA Executive Director/Texas CASA Contractor Stephanie...

August 6, 2021

Resources & Reminders for Trafficking Awareness & Prevention

The Office of the Governor's Child Sex Trafficking Team's recent webinar on important legislative updates related to child trafficking is now online. Watch below, and continue reading for more...

August 6, 2021

New Podcast Episode: Whole Family Engagement with Dr. Natalie Beck Aguilera

How can CASA advocates help bend the arc of child welfare practice to become more fully family-centered? In this episode of CASA on the Go, Dr. Natalie Beck Aguilera...

August 6, 2021

Commentary: Texas Foster Care Begs for Reform, Volunteers

Op-ed by Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs in the San Antonio Express-NewsIn her recent op-ed for the San Antonio Express-News, Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs discusses the ongoing crisis...

August 6, 2021

August Social Media Calendar & Media Release Template

We have developed a social media calendar with Facebook and Twitter posts, as well as images, for programs to use. In addition, a media release template is available, centered on the back-to-school season...

July 26, 2021

Facilitating Courageous Conversations Workshop with Dr. Jessica Pryce Aug. 11-12

Join us for a special, two-part workshop presented by Dr. Jessica Pryce focused on how to facilitate strategic and courageous conversations around race, equity and child welfare. While this...

July 26, 2021

Joint CWOP Conversation Circles Aug. 19 & 24

Back by popular demand, we will be hosting two more CWOP Conversation Circles, this time for CASA and CPS/SSCC together.This will be a time for the CASA community and...

July 26, 2021

87th Legislative Session Bill Tracker & Outcomes Page

With the end of the 87th Regular Session, we have revamped the Bill Tracker to showcase which child welfare bills passed, organized by topic, and what each bill means...

July 26, 2021

Guide to the Family Helpline

The Family Helpline, a project of the Austin-based Texas Legal Services Center, was created to demystify the child welfare system by providing free, objective legal information, explanation and education for...

July 26, 2021

National CASA/GAL Professional Development Opportunities

National CASA/GAL Association recognizes the importance of professional development. In response, they are offering a robust catalog of learning opportunities for all staff in the CASA/GAL network. These professional...

July 26, 2021

Meet Texas CASA's New Board Members!

Texas CASA welcomed six new members to our Board of Directors at our June 2021 meeting. Each new board member brings not only unique expertise and leadership, but commitment...

July 26, 2021

Distinguished Speaker Series Launches Sept. 1!

Texas CASA is excited to bring back the Distinguished Speakers Series, an advocacy-focused learning opportunity for the CASA network and other community partners involved in the child welfare system....

July 26, 2021

CVC Growth Funds Webinar This Friday

Texas CASA has designated a portion of the annual CVC funding as the CVC Growth Funds to be awarded to programs with a demonstrated need for growth in children...

July 13, 2021

Praesidium Academy: Preventing & Responding to Child Sexual Abuse

Those who work directly with children must pay special attention to the safety of children and be prepared to respond to any safety concerns. As part of that preparation,...

July 13, 2021

TexProtects Releases Child Welfare Trends Report

TexProtects recently released its report on child welfare trends in Texas.The report finds that since 2010, there has been an almost 10% growth rate in the number of children...

July 13, 2021

Texas CASA Guide to Grants: Updated June 2021

The Guide to Grants has been updated for Fiscal Year 2022. This guide provides all the need-to-know information on grants that are administered through Texas CASA: Crime Victims’ Compensation...

July 13, 2021

COVID-19 Waivers to CASA Standards Extended through September 2021

Through the pandemic, Texas CASA has maintained two waivers regarding CASA Standards: Virtual visits may substitute for required face-to-face visits, and Virtual training may substitute for required 10 hours...

July 13, 2021

Reminder: Executive Director & Program Director Quarterly Meeting July 9

Communication and collaboration across the CASA network have never been more important! The next Executive Director and Program Director Quarterly Meeting is taking place on Friday, July 9, from...

June 21, 2021