Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE)
CFE is a team-based approach between local CASA programs and CPS, as well as Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCC), to engage, find and work with family members and fictive kin in the creation and development of a lifetime network for young people in the foster care system.
One of the goals of CFE is to help children achieve strong connectivity and permanency faster, preferably with relatives or other trusted loved ones. In collaboration with the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS), local CASA programs and community partners, we are working to ensure that every child in foster care has the opportunity for lifelong connections.
TEXAS’ APPROACH TO FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
COLLABORATE
Greater collaboration
between stakeholders to involve families and build networks.
CULTIVATE
Access to connection, engagement and searching tools to engage and find family/important relationships.
CONVENE
Families and their support network come together for family meetings.
CONNECT
A lifetime network of supportive relationships is formed for the
child and their family.
“It was a joy to attend the child’s 5th birthday party, the week she was reunited with her family, where over 30 extended family members attended. In my opinion, this reunification would not have happened without the CFE process.”
CASA Volunteer
Data continues to be collected and analyzed each year. The CFE model is flexible, so having this data and learning what is working from staff and volunteers on the ground will allow our practice to evolve.
FY23 DATA
* Due to a change to our tracking system, the reported number of children and families served with CFE in FY23 is an undercount. Texas CASA is diligently working with local CASA programs to ensure we accurately represent this number in FY24 and moving forward.
| CHILDREN SERVED BY CFE | 6,805* |
| FAMILIES SERVED BY CFE | 3,398* |
| LOCAL CASA PROGRAMS | 72 |
| DFPS REGIONS | 11 |
| SSCC PROVIDERS | 4 |
| COUNTIES COVERED | 174 |