When youth remain in foster care through their teenage years, the CASA Volunteer serves a unique and important role by helping prepare these young people to become self-sufficient members of the community.
Providing a stable voice of encouragement, giving guidance to prepare for the future, offering emotional encouragement and connecting youth to skills-building resources that will increase the chances for a positive future - this is how our CASA Volunteers make a difference.
National statistics show that about half of youth in foster care do not earn their high school diploma. Earning a diploma is an achievement for all youth and we are delighted to celebrate with them. I sincerely thank our advocates who work with our older youth. I truly believe that our volunteers provide critically needed support and, in turn, better our community as a whole.
We are very excited for each of our 6 CASA youth who successfully completed high school this Spring! What a year this has been for our seniors - everyone deserves to be celebrated! Please take a moment to read a little bit about each one below.
|
|
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Chief Executive Officer
CASA of Central Texas
|
|
Congratulations Graduates |
|
We wish the best to our 6 CASA youth who completed high school this year and are on to the next phase of their lives! |
|
Nehemiah has been in care since 2020 and is hoping to attend Texas State University in the fall.
Juan plans to work and go to Alamo Colleges.
Javier plans on enrolling in Dallas Community college and pursue automotive trade.
Dylan is graduating with honors and will be attending Texas State in the fall.
Aynesha graduated from SA Leadership and will start college this summer.
|
|
Congratulations Graduate Kia!
Kia’s plan is to work for a little while and then go back to school/college.
|
|
Welcome New CASA Volunteers |
|
10 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.
|
|
Welcome to Liz Lowery of Guadalupe County, Mary Miller of Comal County, Laura Locke of Guadalupe County, Lexi Zurich of Comal County, Kathy Tierney of Comal County, Luke Young of Hays County, Nicole Dawkins of Comal County, Janie Furlow of Hays County, Mureen Aird of Comal County, and Di Fontenot of Hays County.
|
|
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!
|
|
Mondays
10 a.m.
Wednesdays
5 p.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Noon
|
|
|
The Advocate Training Course is a 6-part series - all 6 classes are required. |
|
Upcoming Advocate Training Courses |
|
Wednesdays
July 20 to August 24
New Braunfels office
1 – 4:30 p.m.
|
|
Thursdays
July 21 to August 25
New Braunfels/Zoom
5 – 8:30 p.m.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Written by Nicole Douglass, Case Supervisor
Christine Drott is extremely dedicated to preserving and serving Central Texas families and it’s a real honor to work with her.
Christine accepted her first case in 2020. The majority of the case was during the pandemic so this was interesting for all parties to navigate and learn a “new normal” way to advocate during a rapidly changing time.
She initially visited her CASA kiddo in person and she recalls feeling fortunate for the opportunity to form a bond with him as an infant. Later, during phone and virtual visits, he excitedly recognized her voice and her screen picture.
All court hearings and even a trial were held via Zoom. Because she maintained regular contacts and gathered valuable information, her input was sought and she was highly regarded by all parties involved in the case. After a long-awaited 2.5 years, her case concluded in a joyful adoption. And, just as the case had started, the adoption was held in person! (She was a little nervous with the unfamiliar setting!) The family truly bonded with Christine who has inspired them to now think about becoming CASA volunteers. Christine was also grateful when the family offered to keep in contact as they regard her as "part of the family." She was a strong advocate for the permanency of this little boy and ensured he was safely placed in a stable, permanent home. With her steadfast dedication, she amazingly represented his best interests!
Christine retired from 16 years of civil service with Air Force Family Services focusing on Early Childhood programs. In addition to her volunteer work with CASA, she is a Cotillion instructor with Mid Texas Symphony and she volunteers at SJRC and Connections as a member of Chick Time. She has been active with Aggie Moms, New Braunfels Conservatives, and many other community clubs and organizations over the years. She is excited to travel this summer with her husband David celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary and her birthday. We wish her a great, relaxing summer and look forward to her coming back refreshed and ready to accept a new case!
|
|
Continuing Education for Volunteers |
|
On May 12th at the San Marcos Police Department, Commanding Officer Sergeant Wade Parham of the Narcotics Task Force and Corporal Jesse Saavedra informed CASA volunteers about drug trends in Hays County. |
|
Here's what we learned...
Alcohol remains the leading factor involved in most calls to which SMPD responds. Across age ranges, marijuana is the most frequently used illegal substance. Due to it's high profit margin, it is also the most lucrative in narcotic sales. For minors, the next two most used illegal substances are Xanax and Adderall. For adults, it's methamphetamines - which also increases user's involvement in larceny. Sadly, approximately 75% of homicides in Hays County are the result of drug deals gone bad.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact your local police department or call 911.
|
|
Get Your Golf Clubs Ready |
|
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!
|
|
|
Play for a positive impact in the lives children in need of safe, stable, and loving homes. By registering as a team, sponsor, or underwriter here, you will partake in a fun round of golf and enjoy delicious food and beverages. Most importantly, your support will elevate the vision of training and supporting a CASA volunteer for every child who has experienced abuse and neglect.
For the past five years, the golfing community has helped CASACenTex reach a level of serving about half of the children and families involved in foster care. Many more remain in need of our help and together we can make an even bigger difference through the 6th annual CASA Classic! Secure your team spot today here!
Registration is NOW OPEN!
Team, sponsorship, and underwriter entries are now
available for purchase here.
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 - SOLD OUT
Beverage Cart - $1,000
Refreshments - $750
Breakfast – SOLD OUT
Entertainment - $750
Hole Underwriter (18 opportunities!) - $500
|
|
2022 CASA Classic Sponsors |
|
Constable David Peterson, Hays County Precinct 1 |
|
Quality Standards, Meeting National Marks |
|
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 6: Management and Funding
|
|
Demonstrate mission-oriented leadership in operations management and be a responsible steward of all resources in order to maximize advocacy for children who are eligible for and in need of a CASA/GAL volunteer.
- Demonstrate program leadership
- Manage financial resources
- Report and account for fiscal operations
- Adhere to accounting and financial reporting policies
- Develop resources to sustain the program
- Manage the workplace
- Monitor for and minimize risk
|
|
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.
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
