CASA Up Close | September 2022 | |
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September 15 marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month - a time to celebrate the culture and traditions of people who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize and honor the history, culture and contributions of the Hispanic community.
For many Hispanic children in the foster care system, they encounter challenges to identify and connect with their culture. They are not only separated from their families but also from every other part of their lives like their church, school and community. What’s more, the homes in which they are placed may have different cultural backgrounds than their own. Celebrating and learning about the child's heritage might not be a priority.
It is not uncommon that a child in foster care is placed in a home that does not speak their primary language or hold their same cultural beliefs. They need someone they can relate to; someone who comfortably and effectively communicates with them and, in turn, advocates for their best interests in court, school, and other settings.
CASA seeks volunteers of all cultures and Hispanic and bilingual Spanish-English volunteers are urgently needed due to the number of Hispanic children in the foster care system. In 2021, more than 16,000 children were removed from their Texas homes. Of those, nearly 7,000 were Hispanic. At 43% of children removed, that is the highest percentage of all racial/ethnic demographic groups.
While CASA volunteers are prepared to advocate for any child, it’s ideal for our volunteers to reflect the children they serve because they and their family may be better able to build rapport with someone who shares similar customs and experiences. We find it facilitates a bond that results in better advocacy for each child's unique needs.
For the children, more Hispanic and bilingual volunteers are critically needed. Become a CASA volunteer and advocate for Hispanic children in the foster care system.
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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 and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Watch them take the oath below!
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First Row: The Honorable Judge Melissa McClenahan, Scott Defoyd of Hays County and Barby Gregory of Comal County.
Second Row: Kyle Benacquisto of Hays County, Elizabeth Barger of Comal County and Cathy Dunham of Hays County.
Third Row: Lori Davis of Bexar County, Melissa Schroeder of Comal County, Layla Coleman, CASA of Central Texas – Recruitment & Training Director.
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Virtual Information Sessions Online | |
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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Give to CASAcentex as you fuel your cars and trucks!
Participating is as easy as filling up at the pump that has signage at the top showing our CASA of Central Texas name and logo. There's no additional cost to the customer on top of the usual price of gas.
The CASA pumps are located at all of the New Braunfels Fischer's and Pit Stop Shell stations.
Find your local market Here.
The initiative runs through October 21.
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Program Spotlight: Surrogate Parent | |
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In addition to their Guardian ad Litem role, Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers have the opportunity to become trained and certified to fill the role of Surrogate Parent in the educational setting for the children/youth to whom they are assigned.
A surrogate parent is mandated by all school districts to protect the child’s rights in matters related to evaluations and special education decisions.
If a child/youth has special education needs and the CASA volunteer has been certified to serve in the role, the Court may appoint the volunteer as the Surrogate Parent.
CASACenTex has been appointed to cases when there is not a parent to fill this essential role regarding educational needs. CASACenTex volunteers often fill this void and are best suited to make these decisions because of their diligent and consistent review of the child/rens educational records.
The responsibilities include obtaining and reviewing school records, requesting evaluations, participating in ARD (Admission, Review and Dismissal) meetings, maintaining consistent communication with teachers, and reviewing the IEP (Individualized Education Program) to ensure all areas of need are addressed. With CASA serving as the Surrogate Parent, consistency follows in educational advocacy - especially when changes occur in placement and a child transfers to a new school.
CASAcentex volunteer advocate John Manthey completed the additional training and is certified to serve as a surrogate parent in the school setting:
“Serving as a surrogate parent is one more opportunity to advocate for a child. It is a challenge to know all the laws and rules that govern our education system. I was helped a lot by my CASA supervisor, as well as by a former teacher and by a very experienced disability rights attorney. It is clear that the children need a strong advocate to ensure they receive all the services a child with disabilities needs. I am an advocate because I want to help children who are in the CPS system through no fault of their own and who do not have the parental support they need.”
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Show your support for CASA right in your own front yard or place of business! CASA yard signs are now available! Help spread the word!
If you know someone in your neighborhood or circle of friends who would like one, grab a handful!
To pick up a CASA of Central Texas yard sign, please email Eloise at ehudson@casacentex.org.
If you have a sign, we would love to see it! Thank you Brianna Burt, current CASA Volunteer, for supporting CASA!
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Set Your Clocks to Double Your Donations | |
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With the upcoming 9th annual Big Give community-wide fundraising day, you have multiple opportunities to double your gifts! This 24-hour virtual event will take place starting on Thursday, September 22 at 6:00pm and ending on Friday, September 23 at 6:00pm.
This year, CASA is eligible to receive multiple matched gifts! To ensure you don’t miss the match, begin filling in your online form a few minutes early. Once the computer clock strikes, click the "donate" button on the exact minute! Pick which minutes work best for you - multiple Minute Matches are allowable so start strategizing!
Thursday, September 22
6:09 PM - gifts up to $100 matched by Higginbotham and Ewing Halsell
9:09 PM - gifts up to $150 matched by the McKenna Foundation
Friday, September 23
8:09 AM - gifts up to $100 matched by Anonymous Donor
9:09 AM - gifts up to $150 matched by the McKenna Foundation
10:09 AM - gifts up to $200 matched by the Najim Foundation
11:09 AM - gifts up to $200 matched by the Najim Foundation
12:09 PM - gifts up to $100 matched by Schriver-Carmona and OCD Print
3:09 PM - gifts up to $100 matched by the Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation
4:09 PM - gifts up to $100 matched by Wave Healthcare & Friends of TNC
5:09 PM - gifts up to $100 matched by The Nonprofit Council
All gifts of all sizes are appreciated! Can you make multiple Minute Match gifts? YES! In fact, if you maximize every one of these opportunities, your gifts will total $1,300 and also be matched for a whopping sum of $2,600 to support CASA of Central Texas!
Questions? Email Jurnee at jtroublefield@casacentex.org
Visit our Big Give profile here - https://www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/casacentex
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The Advocate Training Course is a 6-part series - all 6 classes are required. | |
Last Training Courses of 2022! | |
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Wednesdays
October 12 to November 16
New Braunfels CASA office
5 - 8:30 p.m.
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Thursdays
October 13 to November 17
San Marcos CASA office/Zoom
1 - 4:30 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 Layla Coleman at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272, or by email.
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We’re sending out the call to join the race against child abuse and neglect at the 13th annual CASA Superhero Run!
The CASA Superhero Run is a fun time for all! With an attendance mix of serious runners and families dressed in Superhero attire, there is a little something for everyone! We are excited to partner this year with Circuit of the Americas (COTA) to bring you the CASA Superhero Run like you've never seen it before on their 1,500 acre site and racetrack! Come for the run and stay for the festival!
The CASA Superhero Run is hosted by CASA of Central Texas (Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe & Hays Counties), CASA of Travis County, and CASA of Williamson County.
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Here’s how to activate your superpowers for good:
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Register for the 5k or Kid's 1k along with thousands of attendees from Central Texas
- Sign up with your friendly neighborhood community and help children grow up to be their own superheroes
- Combine your superpowers with others to fundraise for your CASA Program
Sign up for the 5k for $35 and Kid's 1k for $15 before prices rise! We are activating the Bat-Signal! Will you answer the call and be a powerful voice for children?
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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. | |
Get Your Golf Clubs Ready | |
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Monday, October 31, 2022
Kissing Tree Golf Club
San Marcos, TX
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It’s our absolute pleasure to announce the local golfing community has once again showed their steadfast support for children and families involved in foster care within our community. Team spots are now sold out for the sixth annual Corridor Title – CASA Classic, due to the remarkable generosity of our sponsors, underwriters, and team registrants. By all means, it’s a team effort to ensure children who have experienced abuse and neglect are connected with trained CASA volunteers dedicated to championing their best interests in court.
Many non-playing opportunities are still available. If you would like to support this year’s CASA Classic, visit our website here.
Non-Playing Underwriter Opportunities:
Media $2,500
Golf Gifts $2,000
Golf Pro $1,500
Golf Carts $1,000
Refreshments $750
Entertainment $750
Hole Underwriter (18 opportunities!) $500
Learn more & register https://give.classy.org/2022casaclassic
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2022 CASA Classic Sponsors | |
Golf Ball Launcher Underwriter | |
Beverage Cart Underwriter | |
Constable David Peterson, Hays County Precinct 1 | |
Constable David Peterson, Hays County Precinct 1 | |
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 9: Public Education and Engagement
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Communicates and actively engages with stakeholders and the general public to provide information and build support for the CASA/GAL mission and the needs of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Educate and engage the public through plans for:
- Public information, outreach and education activities
- Communications policy
- Crisis management
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Have an old car taking up space in your driveway? Donate it to CASA of Central Texas! CASA partners with CARS on a vehicle donation program. We accept most cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RV's, motorcycles, off road vehicles, heavy equipment and other motorized vehicles.
Why donate your vehicle to CASA?
* Avoid the hassles of selling a car * No need to pay hefty repair bills * Free up space in your garage * 100% tax deductible
Making a donation is EASY! It's as easy as filling out an online donation form here or picking up a phone and speaking to a live operator at 855-500-7433 seven days a week
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Thank you Pedernales Electric Cooperative and Paloma Montessori School for their recent donations of school supplies. | |
Copper Chase Bowling League Fiesta Lanes in New Braunfels | | | | | |
