Inside CASA - Texas CASA

New Year, New VCA Topic!

Please join the VCA team to discuss the GAL legal role and responsibilities on Sept. 26, from noon to 1 p.m.At times your CASA program's interactions with the local court,...

September 12, 2022

FY 2022 Q4 & EOY Performance Measures Due Wednesday, Sept. 21

Please note that the FY 2022 Q4 and EOY Performance Measures are due by close of business on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. Q4 includes only cases opened during the quarter...

September 12, 2022

Take Flight at the Volunteer Power Unleashed Summit

CASA Takes Flight at this year's Volunteer Power Unleashed Summit! Join us on Nov. 3-4 in Denton for an opportunity to learn, network and compete with your fellow recruiters.This year's Summit...

September 12, 2022

Announcing Fall Dates: Pre-Service Training Facilitator Workshop

Texas CASA is excited to announce fall dates for our virtual Art of Facilitation for Pre-Service Training workshop! This training is designed to introduce participants to the foundations of engaging,...

September 12, 2022

FY 2023 Events Calendar Now Available

Texas CASA has developed a front-and-back Fiscal Year 2023 Calendar that lists Important Dates, Trainings and Program Calls to assist local programs in planning for the new fiscal year.DOWNLOAD NOWAll...

September 12, 2022

Quarterly Board Discussion - Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste: Fundraising in Uncertain Times

On Sept. 6, 2022, from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Central, Texas CASA board members will share ideas to help mobilize your local CASA board to develop new sources of funding...

August 23, 2022

Upcoming Facilitator Training: How to Lead Case Study Activities in Pre-Service Training

Join us on Thursday, Sept. 8, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Central for a virtual training designed for anyone not yet familiar with how to lead the case study...

August 22, 2022

Meet Our New Staff Members!

In August 2022, Texas CASA welcomed two new members to our staff: Collin Acock and Stephanie Battaglia.Meet the newest members of our team below!Collin Acock, Social Impact DirectorCollin is the...

August 22, 2022

Resource Reminder! Updated Community-Based Care Guide

Texas CASA recently released the second edition of Transforming Together: A Guide to Community-Based Care in Texas to reflect the progress of Community-Based Care (CBC) implementation over the last two...

August 22, 2022

Recruitment Microlearning: Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers Who OWN Your Mission

Are you a new volunteer recruiter? Or are you a seasoned recruiter looking for some new strategies? Together, with subject matter experts from around the CASA network, we have created...

August 22, 2022

Save the Date for 2023 CASA Day at the Capitol!

Please plan to join us in Austin on March 1, 2023, for the 2023 CASA Day at the Capitol!Hundreds of CASA advocates from all over the state will be visiting...

August 22, 2022

Ages & Stages...Connecting the Dots Conference

Join Child Advocates of Fort Bend from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Central on Aug. 12 for their Ages and Stages…Connecting the Dots conference! The conference topics came from discussion...

August 8, 2022

The Fix | Episode 6 – Lived Experiences Edition

“We didn’t choose y’all. Y’all chose us. Therefore, it’s up to y’all to make that change. It’s up to y’all to step up to the plate. It’s up to y’all...

August 5, 2022

August Is Bystander Awareness Month

"While the responsibility for domestic violence or sexual assault lies with the perpetrators of these crimes, we all play a role in creating a culture of respect and preventing violence."...

July 19, 2022

Resource Reminder! Educational Advocacy Guidebook & Pocket Guide

It’s almost that time again, when children and youth start heading back to school! Get ready with our Educational Advocacy Guidebook and Educational Advocacy Pocket Guide.The Educational Advocacy Guidebook is...

July 19, 2022

Recruitment Microlearning: Finding Your Champion Advocates with the Interview Process

Are you a new volunteer recruiter? Or are you a seasoned recruiter looking for some new strategies? Together, with subject matter experts from around the CASA network, we have created...

July 19, 2022

Texas CASA Releases Second Edition of Guide to Community-Based Care

We are pleased to announce the release of the second edition of Transforming Together: A Guide to Community-Based Care in Texas. This guide has been updated to reflect the progress...

July 12, 2022

VCA Zoom: A Courageous Conversation with the Center for the Study of Social Policy

The Volunteer Coaching and Advocacy team is excited to invite all local CASA program staff to join us on July 27 from 10-11:30 a.m. Central for a courageous conversation with...

July 12, 2022

Texas CASA Welcomes 4 New Board Members

We recently welcomed four new members to our Board of Directors: Page Hall, Tim Hornback, Aaron Lundberg and Beth St. Paul."We are honored that Page, Tim, Aaron and Beth have...

July 12, 2022

Webinar: Understanding Trauma Bonds Between Traffickers & Their Victims

Trauma bonding is a counter-intuitive phenomenon in which a victim bonds and develops strong positive feelings toward their abuser. These bonds are common among sex trafficking victims and affect their...

July 12, 2022

IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate Increase Starting July 1

Please note the IRS announced it is increasing the mileage reimbursement rate for the final 6 months of 2022. The standard IRS mileage rate for business travel will be 62.5...

June 21, 2022

CVC Growth Is Becoming CVC Priority

Effective FY 2023, “CVC Growth” will be “CVC Priority.” This information was originally announced at The Forum on March 30, 2022.The reason for the change is that fewer and fewer...

June 21, 2022

VCA Zoom: The FAQs of SSI Benefits & Eligibility

Please join the VCA team on June 27 as we focus on Supplemental Security Income Benefits (or SSI) for children with disabilities in foster care. Guest speakers include an administrator...

June 21, 2022

Recruitment Microlearning: Media Campaigns That Ignite Your Message

Are you a new volunteer recruiter? Or are you a seasoned recruiter looking for some new strategies? Together, with subject matter experts from around the CASA network, we have created...

June 21, 2022

Resource Reminder! The Art of Coaching: Volunteer Supervision & Retention

The Art of Coaching: Volunteer Supervision and Retention is your go-to resource for volunteer retention best practices and tools to help your program become more volunteer-centered. This course and its...

June 21, 2022

Minimum Miles for Volunteer Mileage Direct Grant Decreased

Texas CASA is decreasing the minimum number of miles required for the Volunteer Mileage Direct Grant from 100 miles roundtrip to 60 miles roundtrip.This change is based on input from...

June 21, 2022

FY 2022 Q3 Performance Measures Due Tuesday, June 21

Please note that FY 2022 Q3 Performance Measures are due Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Q3 includes only children with cases opened and volunteers assigned during the third quarter (March 1,...

June 3, 2022

Internet Safety Month #StartTheConversation Virtual Event

June is Internet Safety Month. Join the OJJDP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on June 28, 2022, from 10 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Central for a virtual event bringing information...

June 3, 2022

2022 Texas CASA Conference Registration Now Open!

The 2022 Texas CASA Conference will be back in person on July 21-22, 2022, in Denton! Learning from Lived Experiences: “Nothing About Us Without Us” will focus on centering the...

June 3, 2022

Grants Management: Random Documentation Review Tips & Tricks

Texas CASA is hosting a training on June 14 at 1:30 p.m. Central outlining the top tips and tricks to prepare for your program’s annual Random Documentation Review. The webinar...

June 2, 2022

Catch Up on CASA on the Go!

Have you subscribed to our podcast, CASA on the Go?Hosted by Texas CASA's own Margaret Halpin, this continuing education podcast connects CASA volunteers with engaging and relevant training designed to...

May 23, 2022

Virtual Education Reach Conference

Want to learn about how you can support older and transitioning youth in higher education settings? Get registered for the virtual Education Reach Conference on June 8-9 today! Registration is...

May 23, 2022

Recruitment Microlearning: Inclusive Recruitment

Are you a new volunteer recruiter? Or are you a seasoned recruiter looking for some new strategies? Together, with subject matter experts from around the CASA network, we have created...

May 23, 2022

National CASA/GAL Reunification Month Toolkit Available

Every June, we celebrate National Reunification Month. It is a time to highlight the importance of family reunification, the resources available to assist families and the obstacles families overcome to...

May 23, 2022

Texas CASA LGBTQ+ Recruitment Toolkit Available

According to a recent study, more than 30% of youth in foster care identify as LGBTQ+, compared to about 11% of the general youth population. These youth typically experience worse...

May 23, 2022

DFPS Releases Child Maltreatment Fatalities Report for FY21

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Office of Child Safety recently released its annual report on child fatalities for FY 2021. The report reviews the different...

May 6, 2022

Resource Reminder! Praesidium Academy

Texas CASA has purchased licenses for local Program Leadership and Program Staff to access Praesidium Academy, a series of e-learning courses on best practices in preventing child sexual abuse. These...

May 6, 2022

Continuing Education Opportunity - Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Youth

Our training team often fields requests for continuing education resources around advocating for LGBTQ+ youth, so we are excited to share this free upcoming webinar presented by All Children -...

April 28, 2022

Register for the Commercial Sexual Exploitation-Identification Tool User Training

Texas CASA is hosting a Commercial Sexual Exploitation-Identification Tool (CSE-IT) User Training on June 14, at 9 a.m. (CT) to prepare participants to use the CSE-IT in their work settings.The...

April 28, 2022

DFPS Releases Child Caseload Report

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recently released its quarterly report on conservatorship caseload counts. This report outlines the agency’s progress toward achieving a 14.5 caseload count as...

April 25, 2022

Texas CASA Honors Senator Jane Nelson with Lifetime Achievement Award

Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs, Senator Jane Nelson and Texas CASA Public Policy Director Sarah Crockett.Texas CASA and the CASA network had the opportunity to honor Texas State Senator Jane...

April 25, 2022

New Reports Released on the Progress of Community-Based Care Implementation

On March 31, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) released two reports related to the implementation of Community-Based Care (CBC): Quarterly Report, Office of Community-Based Care Transition Implementation...

April 25, 2022

Upcoming Professional Development Workshop for Trainers

Please join us for a special two-part workshop presented by Dr. Jessica Pryce focused on how to have strategic conversations with volunteers-in-training around power dynamics, racial equity and the impact...

April 25, 2022

Video: Look Beneath the Surface to End Trafficking

In our daily lives, it is crucial to keep our eyes open for signs of sex trafficking. The Office on Trafficking in Persons of the Administration for Children and Families'...

April 25, 2022

Recruitment Microlearning: Developing a Strong Recruitment Plan

Are you a new volunteer recruiter? Or are you a seasoned recruiter looking for some new strategies? Together, with subject matter experts from around the CASA network, we have created...

April 25, 2022

Thanking Senior Grants Management Specialist Mary Hightower & Welcoming Kristy Smith

Mary HightowerTexas CASA extends our gratitude to Mary Hightower for her outstanding work and congratulates her on her upcoming retirement this May. We are also happy to announce that Kristy...

April 11, 2022

Volunteer Recruiters, Texas CASA Wants to Hear from You!

Being a Volunteer Recruiter for CASA can be a rewarding and difficult job. CASA is a premier volunteer opportunity - so recruiters have the skills and savvy of a corporate...

April 11, 2022

National Foster Care Month 2022 Outreach Toolkit Now Available

The Child Welfare Information Gateway alongside the Children's Bureau recently released the Partners Outreach Toolkit 2022 for National Foster Care Month (NFCM) coming up this May. The toolkit provides social...

April 8, 2022

VCA Monthly Zoom - Engaging with Incarcerated Parents

Data reflects that 15-20% of children entering the foster care system have, or have had, an incarcerated parent. The consequences for these children are profound and complicated. Please join the...

April 8, 2022

Executive Directors: Designate Contact for New Courtesy CASA Listserv by 4/25

While the first and best option for child visits is always for their CASA volunteer to see them, the next best option is for another qualified person to see them...

April 8, 2022