Volunteer Learning Center
Welcome CASA Volunteers!
The Learning Center is for CASA volunteers, child welfare community members and anyone else interested in learning more about effective advocacy and the child welfare system in Texas. Check out a full list of resources below outlined by topic or type a keyword in the search bar to look for something specific.
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Resources by Topic
Click on the topic you wish to explore to find resources, trainings and videos.
Anti-Child Trafficking (ACT)/child exploitation
Youth who have been affected by trafficking in foster care need CASA volunteers who are well-trained, connected and prepared to support their specialized needs. CASA ACT is a call to action for the CASA network in Texas. The aim is to do more than “see something, say something,” and to educate, protect and provide skilled support when youth have been exploited.
best-interest advocacy
Best-Interest Advocacy believes that it is in a child’s best interest to remain with and be connected to their parents and family of origin whenever possible and considers the child’s physical, developmental and emotional needs, as well as the family strengths and available support or resources. CASA volunteers work closely with other professionals, including lawyers, social workers, educators and service providers to effectively ensure the child’s best interest is addressed.
Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE)
Collaborative Family Engagement provides information for the CASA volunteer and the CASA child’s network including family and community members to be best equipped to support the development of the child in the foster care system. Working as a team with local CASA programs and CPS/Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs) helps to provide a lifetime network for the child.
infant to five (0-5 year) advocacy
Infants and young children are one of the most vulnerable age groups in the United States. They are the most affected by maltreatment and are unable to communicate in the same ways as older children. In the state of Texas, approximately 47% of children in foster care are ages zero to five years old. As an age group, they represent the largest population of children served by Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs in Texas, making it key for volunteers to understand the challenges and needs associated with advocating for this most vulnerable population.
legal advocacy
The CASA volunteer’s role as guardian ad litem or child advocate is a court appointment with legal rights, responsibilities and duties. One of the most important parts of the CASA volunteer’s role is their legal advocacy for the child’s safety and best interest. This includes: providing written court reports, participating in court hearings by testifying and making oral recommendations, documenting CASA advocacy and meeting with legal counsel for both the children and their families. Legal advocacy ensures that a child’s needs are met within the legal and child welfare systems. A CASA volunteer’s appointment lasts until the legal case is closed and the child is safe in a permanent home.
older youth advocacy
In 2022, there were 5,600 youth aged 14-17 in foster care in Texas, facing difficult questions about their transition to adulthood. Of those youth, 1,087 aged out of care with no network available, leaving them vulnerable to homelessness, trafficking and poor life prospects. Challenges include difficulty of finding family members who are willing to engage with CASA or the child’s caseworker, knowing how to work with youth who have experienced severe trauma, and because the system is difficult to navigate making it key for volunteers to understand the challenges and needs associated with advocating for this most vulnerable population.
Pre-Service Training for CASA Volunteers
This pre-service training will equip you with the solid base of knowledge you need to powerfully and compassionately advocate for a child that has been abused or neglected. In addition to gaining an understanding of child protection system and the CASA volunteer role, you will also learn about trauma and resilience, efforts at improving our systems and much more.
On this page you will find the required online Pre-Work (including videos and other activities) for each session. There are two options to complete your Pre-Work:
- Option A: Access session materials directly.
- Option B: Complete Pre-Work online in the Texas CASA Learning Center (CASA College).
public policy & legislative advocacy
Public Policy and Legislative Advocacy helps CASA programs, CASA volunteers and the CASA child’s network stay knowledgeable on legislative changes that could affect youth in foster care. CASA volunteers can better understand their role in the case and learn legislative advocacy skills. On this page you will Texas CASA’s current work, resources for Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATS), publications and resources from previous legislative sessions.
Specialized advocacy
Texas CASA’s Specialized Advocacy initiatives exist to give an individualized, best-interest CASA volunteer court appointment for children and youth involved in cases outside the scope of a traditional SAPCR (Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship) case. Specialized Advocacy initiatives include: Dual-Status Advocacy, Justice-Involved Youth, Court-Ordered Services, Extended Care, among others. Please note that some of these Specialized Advocacy court appointments may require a Waiver from Texas CASA. Contact amcdonnell@texascasa.org with any questions.
This continuing education podcast connects CASA volunteers with engaging and relevant training designed to help strengthen advocacy for children and families. Each short, dynamic episode features informative discussions with subject matter experts exploring topics connected to child welfare and best practices for CASA advocacy. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker(s) in their personal capacity and are not the official policy or position of Texas CASA. Search for and subscribe to CASA on the Go on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify.