Each May, National Foster Care Month, we take the time to raise awareness of the children and families involved in the foster care system and the need for more people to step up to support them.
There are children in foster care right here in our communities, in our neighborhoods, they need support from their community.
Children go into the foster care system when their family is in crisis. There is a common misconception that once children are in foster care no further help for them is needed. This could not be further from the truth. Foster care is important for protecting children temporarily. It is not, however, meant to be a permanent solution.
We’re grateful to the many wonderful foster families who open their homes to children in our community. However, it must be understood that these children have been taken away from everything and everyone they know. Research shows that kids do better when they can stay connected with their family and community, and kids in foster care are no exception.
This is where CASA volunteers come in.
Our volunteers are specially trained and appointed by judges to advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in the foster care system. They advocate in court, school and other settings and get to know everyone involved in the child’s life including parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, family members and others.
CASA volunteers advocate for children to be reunified with their parents whenever safe and possible. In fact, a core part of the CASA role is to help create and strengthen a lifetime network of relatives, family friends and other committed adults who can support the child and their parents during their involvement with foster care and beyond – increasing the likelihood for reunification.
When reunification is not an option, CASA volunteers advocate for the child to live with another relative, family friend, or for the child to be placed in a loving adoptive home. In all cases, CASA volunteers are steadfast, consistent presences for the children they serve, making sure they are safe and have the resources and connections they need to grow and thrive.
CASA is always seeking more community members to become CASA volunteers and support children and their families.
Children in foster care need a dedicated advocate. They need someone on their side, who help them feel safe and connected. We hope you’ll consider joining the CASA movement.
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Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Chief Executive Officer
CASA of Central Texas
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Welcome New CASA Volunteers |
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7 new CASA Volunteers were sworn in over the last month!
Thank you to these wonderful community members who completed an intensive training curriculum and stepped up to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
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Please welcome Tracy Blackmon of Comal County, Kiley Moriarty of Hays County, Desiree DeLeon of Comal County, Brianna Burt of Hays County, Shea Schmidt of Hays County, Jason Costanzo of Caldwell County, and Jennifer Townsend of Bexar County.
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Virtual Information Sessions Online |
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Want to learn more about the role of a CASA Volunteer?
Join our 30-minute information session and hear how our volunteers advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Pick a time that works for you and use the link to register on Zoom!
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Mondays
10 a.m.
Wednesdays
5 p.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Noon
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Answered by a Volunteer Advocate
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CASA Volunteer Kristi Perkins answers questions like, What is CASA training like, What is the time commitment, Do you feel like you are making a difference, and more. You can see Kristi's interview on FAQs as well as other topics in our CASA Chat series here.
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The Advocate Training Course is a 6-part series - all 6 classes are required. |
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Upcoming Advocate Training Courses |
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Wednesdays
June 1 to July 6
San Marcos CASA office
1 – 4:30 p.m.
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Wednesdays
July 20 to August 24
New Braunfels office
1 – 4:30 p.m.
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Thursdays
July 21 to August 25
New Braunfels/Zoom
5 – 8:30 p.m.
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Thinking about becoming a CASA Volunteer but don't know if you are ready?
Don't worry, we have you covered in our 42-hour training curriculum.
Listen to this CASA Chat to hear from new advocate Lisa about how the training prepared her for her first case.
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Application due two weeks prior to training.
One-hour pre-training interview at least one week before start of training.
Mandatory 10-hour online class to be completed during the training cycle.
For more information on training courses,
contact Brandi Raschke at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272, or by email.
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Jaelynn Hall accepted her first CASA case in November 2020, in which she was assigned to teen girls. She has since accepted her second case and is working with two twins.
Jaelynn is a kindhearted and hardworking person who cares deeply for the families and children she serves. She ensures that each child’s needs are met and brings new and creative ideas to the table when discussing ways in which we can best support the families. Jaelynn has been a joy to work with and easily inspires those around her.
Jaelynn graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work in May of 2021 from Angelo State University. During her time there she interned for Connections Individual and Family Services where she assisted with their substance abuse prevention program and the transitional living program for foster children.
In her free time, Jaelynn enjoys crafting with her ‘Cricut’ machine, swimming, listening to true crime podcasts, and traveling.
We are honored to have dedicated volunteers like Jaelynn serve with us. She is a blessing to the children and families. We hope Jaelynn continues to be a CASA for many years to come!
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Get Your Golf Clubs Ready |
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Reserve October 31 on your calendar for the 2022 Corridor Title – CASA Classic!
Join us for the 6th annual golf tournament supporting children in our community who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Kissing Tree Golf Club has again offered to be our venue host this year!
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We invite you to grab your golf clubs for a swinging time at the 2022 Corridor Title – CASA Classic on Monday, October 31. Your extraordinary generosity makes it possible for trained CASA volunteers to help about half of the children and families involved in foster care within our community.
Join us in the vision of providing a CASA volunteer for every child and family who needs one by registering as a team, sponsor, or underwriter today! Reserve your spot here to play a fun round of golf, enjoy delicious food and beverages, and make a difference for children at the 6 th annual CASA Classic!
Registration is NOW OPEN!
Team, sponsorship, and underwriter entries are now
available for purchase here.
Please note, if needed, an option to be invoiced is available through your online check out.
Player Opportunity
Team of 4 - $800
Sponsorship with Playing Opportunities:
Ace - $10,000
19th Hole - $7,500
Front Nine – SOLD OUT
Back Nine - $5,000
Eagle - $2,500
Birdie - $2,000
Non-Playing Underwriter Opportunities:
Lunch Boxes - $2,500
Dinner - $2,500
Media - $2,500
Golf Gifts- $2,000
Golf Pro - $1,500
Golf Ball - $1,500
Golf Carts - $1,000
Hole-In-One - $1,000
Beverage Cart - $1,000
Refreshments - $750
Breakfast – SOLD OUT
Entertainment - $750
Hole Underwriter (18 opportunities!) - $500
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Quality Standards, Meeting National Marks |
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As a longtime member of the National CASA/GAL Association, CASA of Central Texas is committed to operating based on a set of 11 standards for providing quality volunteer advocacy for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Through this monthly newsletter, we share with you a synopsis of each standard.
Standard 5: Governance and Administration
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Oversee and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, fiduciary obligations, written agreements, standards and financial sustainability of the program.
- Ensure the governing board adheres to its role and responsibilities
- Ensure and monitor screening of all staff, volunteers, and members of the governing board
- Provide program administration oversight
- Recruit members of the governing board
- Provide formal orientation for governing board members
- Establish a written plan for ongoing training and development to improve the knowledge and skills of the governing board that is reviewed and evaluated annually
- Maintain governing board records
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Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
Child sexual abuse is an adult issue. One in 10 children in the U.S. will be sexually abused before the age of 18. Darkness to Light ® believes that adults are responsible for the safety of children and that adults should be taking proactive steps to protect children from sexual abuse.
FREE TRAINING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Using an evidence-informed approach, attendees are provided with simple and practical actions to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. This is a free training for anyone who has interactions with children in various community settings. We strive to not only protect our own children, but all children in our community.
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This training is offered by an authorized facilitator on a quarterly basis this year (February 25, May 27, August 26, and November 18, 3-5 PM). If this schedule does not work for you, you may request a different date. Please encourage your colleagues, friends, and family to attend this two-hour training with you as it leads to improved learning through impactful discussion. |
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New Braunfels Downtown Rotary |
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