tx casa heartbeat

Four children were placed in foster care after

they were found living in the back of a van.

None of the children had ever been to school

and didn’t know how to wash themselves

or how to eat with utensils.

The children were split up into 3 foster homes,

hundreds of miles apart. They lost contact

with each other. 2 dropped out of

school and are homeless. 1 girl

is pregnant and doesn’t know

who the father is. All abuse

drugs and alcohol.

A CASA volunteer was appointed.

The children were adopted together and are doing well in school.

Texas CASA’s LeadershipVicki SpriggsTexas CASA CEO

Board of DirectorsOfficerSBilly Ward President Debbie Ferguson Past PresidentSusie Moseley President Elect & SecretaryGreg Herzog First Vice PresidentJ. Darren Rodgers Second Vice PresidentRobert Phillpott Treasurer

memberSRebecca BrownVivian J. DorsettSusan EtheridgeE. Ben FranksAlicia GraciaJenny HaynesRev. Ray A. HendricksBoris HidalgoJennie HillLanis McWilliamsHolly MuninGene NeedhamCeleste PratherJana TeisGreg Wilhelm

TAble oF coNTeNTs

Court Appointed Special Advocates®

In This Issueletter from Texas cAsA ceo, Vicki spriggs

Volunteer Thinks outside the box to Keep Families Together

Foster Alumna’s Past Moves Her to serve Youth in care

Judge Values cAsA Volunteers’ Input

2012 conference Recap

Growing the cAsA community

cAsA Program Helps Foster Youth spread Wings

cAsA speaks Up at the capitol to Improve child Welfare

Texas cAsA, local Programs Help Move children of color Through Foster care

local cAsA Programs

special Thanks to our Donors

To learn more about volunteering or donating, please visit us online: www.TexascAsA.org or www.becomeAcAsA.org2

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Court Appointed Special Advocates®

When a child enters the foster care system because his or her home is no longer safe, a judge may appoint a committed, trained volunteer called a Court Appointed Special Advocate® or a CASA to help the child. The volunteer’s focus is on that child, giving hope and help in guiding the child to a safe, permanent loving home.

CASA volunteers are screened and go through extensive training before being appointed by judges to advocate for one foster child or set of siblings. CASA volunteers research case records and speak to everyone in a child’s life, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, social workers and others. Their independent assessments and advocacy help judges make better decisions in foster care cases.

Texas CASATexas CASA is an association of 69 local CASA programs with more than 7,200 trained volunteers serving nearly 23,000 foster children in 206 counties.

MissionTexas CASA partners with the CASA community to be a voice for abused and neglected children through the power of volunteer advocacy and change in the child protection system.

VisionA CASA Volunteer for every child who needs one.

Heartbeat | Texas CASA Magazine | Winter/Spring 2013

leTTeR FRoM TexAs cAsA

ceo, VIcKI sPRIGGs

Dear CASA Community,

3

As my first year at Texas cAsA comes to a close, I am impressed and humbled by

the deep sense of community and mission within the cAsA network. The stories

shared as I’ve met with volunteers, staff and board members from across the state

have reinforced and reinvigorated us as together we work toward our vision of a

cAsA volunteer for every child in foster care who needs one.

I also recognize that without all of the pieces working together – the child protection system, the judiciary, the legislators, and certainly the local CASA programs – we cannot make a difference in the lives of children who, through no fault of their own, end up in foster care.

As noted in the Ethiopian saying, “when spiders unite, they can tie down the lion.”

In this case, the “lion” is our society’s attitude and approach to the epidemic of child abuse and our failure to prevent additional trauma to children who are removed from their homes and placed in foster care, which is supposed to be a temporary solution to a family tragedy.

Working collaboratively, we have an opportunity to begin to tie down that lion.

On the local level, our 69 CASA programs continue to recruit, train and support more than 7,200 volunteers who last year spoke up in court for nearly 23,000 children in the foster care system. The impact of these volunteers and the staff who support them is inspiring … and sobering. Without a doubt, the work they do is life saving and life transforming.

At the state level, we will be working hard in the Texas Legislature and in the child welfare system on behalf of the nearly 47,000 Texas children who will be in the state’s care and custody this year.

Our children should not be left in homes where they don’t get fed, clothed, cared for and loved like every child should. Nor should they remain in environments where they are verbally, physically and sexually abused and emotional scars linger long after the visible, physical ones heal.

Once children are removed from everything and everyone they know, they should not be further harmed by entering a foster care system that fails them by constantly moving them and not providing them with the services they need to become healthy adults. Nor should they linger in a system that forgets them because of workloads and budget constraints.

For every tragic story we hear or read in the news, there are hundreds of stories we in the CASA Community hear that embolden us to continue the important work that we do across the state.

During this holiday season, we at Texas CASA count among our blessings the many who share our belief that our children deserve better. Much better.

Vicki spriggs, Texas cAsA ceo

Vicki Spriggs

To learn more about volunteering or donating, please visit us online: www.TexascAsA.org or www.becomeAcAsA.org

TITle

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Making a difference to children, families inspires volunteer

It took a couple of years of convincing for Kimberly H. Irvin to sign up to be a cAsA volunteer. but a little more than a year after completing her pre-service training with cAsA of collin county, she walked off the stage at the Texas cAsA conference with the Jane Quentan Piper Volunteer of the Year Award.

“I didn’t know there was a Volunteer of the Year Award; I was so new,” Irvin said. “When I won, I was in awe. I’m very honored and humbled.”

Irvin has a history of volunteer work, serving with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Red Cross and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first black Greek letter organization in the United States, but she was apprehensive about becoming a CASA volunteer.

“ ‘I said, ‘No way! Kids? That’s tender. That’s precious.’ ”

But a friend in Seattle kept encouraging her to volunteer with CASA. Irvin was intrigued by the opportunity to build a relationship with a family and concentrate solely on its well-being.

After completing her CASA training in April 2011, Irvin asked to work with African American families. As an African American, she believed she had certain cultural sensitivities that would help the children feel more comfortable.

“If a non-minority foster parent is caring for a minority child for the first time, they may not be aware of some of those cultural differences,” Irvin said. “In one of my cases, the CPS (Child Protective Services) worker brought a bunch of African American hair care products, and I was able to explain which ones worked.”

Texas CASA and CASA of Collin County have put an emphasis on increasing minority recruitment. Irvin herself has participated in


VolUNTeeR oF THe YeAR

4

Volunteer Thinks Outside Box To Keep

Families TogetherKeeping families together is a priority for cAsA volunteers. sometimes,

“families” include people who aren’t related by blood or marriage.

Kimberly H. Irvin’s persistence and creativity in trying to keep siblings and families together earned the CASA of Collin County volunteer the Jane Quentan Piper Volunteer of the Year Award at the Texas CASA Conference.

“What’s going on with the child is what’s going on with the parent. By the time (Child Protective Services) has stepped in, it’s affected the child adversely. I challenge myself to think of ways to support the parent. I can’t personally make the parent whole, but I can offer support that ultimately benefits the child - if they’re open to it. Sometimes they’re not,” said Irvin.

When reunification is not an option, Irvin said her role as a CASA allows her to explore options that an overwhelmed Child Protective Services system may not be able to do.

In Irvin’s latest case, she insisted on doing an informal home assessment of every potential kinship placement for her children. That meant trips to different parts of the state.

“I was seeking a kinship placement for my current case, searching high and low. Blood relative or fictive-kin, someone that the child has an existing relationship with,” Irvin said.

“I found an individual that had a relationship with the mother, who was willing to take the children and foster-to-adopt. The individual was declined by CPS when I submitted, but, as a CASA, I didn’t let it rest. This person truly cared about the mother and children, but the children don’t have a relationship with her. We can’t give up.

“I’m seeking a way to facilitate a mentor relationship between the mother and this person. That’s thinking outside the box, and the CPS handbook. You have to find ways to build effective

Kim Irvin, CASA Volunteer

Heartbeat | Texas CASA Magazine | Fall 201212


support relationships that make the parents whole and the family whole.”

Irvin’s first case involved three young girls who had been separated from their mother because of neglectful supervision.

The training she received from CASA enabled Irvin to analyze the case objectively, for both the parent and the children.

“One thing I learned from training was to pause and reflect. I need to remove my own personal judgment,” Irvin said. “Our trainer taught us to have empathy for the parents. They’re still people, still human beings, despite what may be going on with their children.”

When she spoke with the mother, Irvin learned that the mother’s upbringing was very similar to the circumstances that led to her children being removed.

“I look into the history of the children and their family history to see what patterns of behavior might have led to this situation,” Irvin said. “Some of this boils down to family norms. This is what your family did, so you think it’s okay.”

In her quest to provide the best possible outcome for the children, Irvin spoke to every person involved in the children’s lives. From parents and family, to teachers and administrators, to attorneys, and CPS caseworkers. She requested written reports from doctor and therapist visits.

“When it’s all said and done, you never know what additional bit of information has been left out that may affect the

child,” Irvin said. “The biggest thing that a CASA can do for a child is to validate and verify all information, from everybody.”

Through school staff, Irvin learned that the children often worried about whether their mother had provided a lunch or lunch money. Irvin was able to take action to directly improve the children’s lives, as well as gain an insight into the mother’s behavior.

“I finally convinced the mom to sign the kids up for free lunch. It was more about pride for her, not necessarily neglect,” Irvin said. “She was a single mom who wanted to prove she could do it. She just wasn’t making the best judgments as to how she was providing for her family.”

Irvin is focused on helping children and their families during a difficult time, not in being an ongoing influence after their cases are closed.

“I let the child know that I am present. I tell them that I’m here for them. Thecaseworkers and attorneys may change, but I’m present,” Irvin said.

“My ultimate goal is to step into a child’s life at this fragile moment and, fingers crossed, the parents get it together and I step out and the family continues. I’m only with them for this particular point - from removal to permanency. Them remembering me doesn’t matter, them finding permanency is what matters.”

Though Irvin has a history of volunteer work, serving with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Red Cross and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first black Greek letter organization in the United States, she wasn’t certain she was ready to be a CASA volunteer.

A friend in Seattle kept encouraging her to volunteer with CASA. The opportunity to build a relationship with a family and concentrate solely on the well-being of that family is what ultimately swayed her.

Irvin has asked to work with African American families because she believes she has shared cultural sensitivities that she thinks will help children and families during a very trying time in their lives.

“If a non-minority foster parent is caring for a minority child for the first time, they may not be aware of some of those cultural differences,” Irvin said. “In one of my cases, the CPS (Child Protective Services) worker brought a bunch of African American hair careproducts, and I was able to explain which ones worked.”

Irvin has participated in Texas CASA and CASA of Collin County efforts to increase the minority makeup of CASA volunteers. As volunteer of the year, she hopes to continue to make a difference in the lives of foster children in Texas, just like the more than 7,200 other CASA volunteers across the state.

“I think I’m doing what every CASA is doing,” she said. “Every CASA is incredible to do what they do. Now that I know what it takes to be a CASA, every person that volunteers wows me - they are all exceptional people.”

By Kyle Gregory

The Jane Quentan Piper Volunteer of the Year Award is named in honor of the founder of Texas CASA. Piper founded Texas CASA with the vision of a CASA volunteer for every child in care.

You have to find ways to build effective support

relationships that make the parents whole and

the family whole.

My ultimate goal is to step into a child’s

life at this fragile moment and, fingers crossed, the parents get it together and I

step out and the family continues.

Some of this boils down to

family norms. This is what your family

did, so you think it’s okay.


FocUs oN YoUTH

6

briana Dovi is a 23-year-old graduate student with a degree in social work and a job helping foster children. Fourteen years ago, she was one of those foster children.

Foster Alumna’s Past Moves Her to Serve

Youth In Care

Briana Dovi, former foster youth, now helps children in foster care.

Dovi and her five brothers and sisters were removed from their parents’ care in 1998 because of severe abuse and neglect.

“We were placed in the biggest home in the region. It was the only place that could hold six kids,” Dovi said. “The foster parents only wanted two kids; it was a miracle that we found them. They said that they would take us until we could find a permanent home, but they’ve been a family for us since.” In addition to a new home, Dovi’s entry into foster care brought an influx of strangers into her life - judges, lawyers and caseworkers. In some cases, Dovi felt that they didn’t have her best interests at heart.

“There were so many people that really didn’t care and were just there for a paycheck. This job is not for people that just want a paycheck.”

Fortunately for Dovi and her family, there was someone looking out for them: Charlene Brister, their Court Appointed Special Advocate® (CASA), a volunteer with CASA of the Highland Lakes.

“I trusted her from the beginning,” Dovi said. “She wanted to help us and was our voice. She explained to us what was going on when the caseworkers wouldn’t.”

In a world of revolving caseworkers, Brister was always there for Dovi and her siblings.

“She was the only constant thing and the only one that stayed with us for the whole case,” Dovi said. “We had different caseworkers every year. They interrupted our lives rather than adding

on. Our CASA was an added part of the family. She and her husband became like our grandparents.”

Dovi and all of her siblings have since graduated from high school and gone on to further their educations. Dovi is pursuing a master’s in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She credits her upbringing in the foster system and the positive influence of her CASA volunteer with her decision to study social work.

“All of the people that influenced me in my life told me that if something makes me angry, then I should try and change it,” Dovi said. Foster care became her focus.

Recently, Dovi served as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C. through the Foster Youth Internship Program of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). She worked for Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

“I was able to write three bill cosign recommendation reports that had to do with adoption and foster care,” Dovi said. “I recommended two of the bills and the congresswoman signed them, so I am quite proud of that.”

She testifies firsthand to the difference a CASA volunteer can make for a child.

“I feel like CASA is the only stable thing in a child’s life. It’s the only thing that’s not corrupted by money or by having so many cases,” Dovi said. “CASAs focus on one child or one family. Having more of a family aspect than a job aspect is what makes CASA work.”

By Kyle Gregory


There were so many people that

really didn’t care and were just there for a paycheck. This job is

not for people that just want a paycheck.

We had different caseworkers every

year. They interrupted our lives rather than

adding on.

7

TexAS FOSTer CHILDren neeD MOre

CASA VOLunTeerS

46,390 children in care, 22,970 served by cAsA

TexAS FOSTer CHILDren neeD MOre POSITIVe

MALe rOLe MODeLS

Half the children in care are male, but only 20% of

cAsA volunteers are male

TexAS FOSTer CHILDren Are YOung

AnD VuLnerABLe

60% of the children served by cAsA are under age 5

learn more about how you can help cAsA serve more children.

Visit www.TexascAsA.org


JUDGe oF THe YeAR

Judge Values CASA Volunteers’

InputJudge Randy shelton, the 2012 big Voices for little Texans Judge of the Year, first encountered neglected children when he worked as a police officer before going to law school. He remembers knocking on a door with an arrest warrant for a woman and having it opened by a boy, no more than 9 years old. The child had been left alone for several days to take care of his sister, who still was in diapers.

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Judge Randy Shelton accepting the “Judge of the Year” Award

“I was really appalled how someone can just leave their kids alone and not care for them,” he said. “It made a big impression on me.”

Now, presiding over some of the toughest family and juvenile cases in Jefferson County District Court, Shelton often can visualize the situations that state caseworkers describe from their home visits.

Despite his affinity for helping children, Shelton did not initially plan to practice family law when he graduated from South Texas College of Law and moved to Beaumont. As the newest lawyer in a civil firm, however, family law cases soon came his way.

“They kind of got passed down the chain,” he said. “I really did enjoy the cases. Family law is so personal. You’ve got to do the best job you possibly can because so much is at stake.”

When Shelton was sworn in as a judge in 2007, he inherited a docket that includes divorces, child support and custody as well as juvenile delinquency cases and Child Protective Services matters. He is grateful that all children in CPS cases in his county are served by Court Appointed Special Advocates.

“They are usually the first face I look for. I never go forward on a case unless I’m sure that my CASA is here. They are the eyes and the ears of the court. They’re one of the first I want to hear from on a case,” Shelton said.

Eleanor Johnson, program director for CASA of Southeast Texas, nominated Shelton for Judge of the Year because he promotes CASA within the judicial community and to the public by supporting and participating in every venture CASA undertakes. He helps train new volunteers, swears them in and talks them through their initial court hearings.

He also supports CASA outside the courtroom, serving as a waiter for the annual Justice is Served volunteer recognition dinner. He traditionally is the first one in the dunking booth for the annual CASA Kids’ Carnival.

But what really sets Shelton apart is his dedication to children whose lives have been uprooted by abuse and neglect. He demands quality representation by the attorneys he appoints.

“I’ll fuss at them if they don’t meet with the children or get out to see them,” he said, noting that he believes such one-on-one contact is critical.

“Nothing drove that home more than some of the conferences I have attended

with former foster children. Some (former foster youth) said they never saw their attorney or didn’t know they had an attorney,” he said.

Likewise, Shelton tries to meet with children whose cases are before him as often as possible. “Seeing them is very, very important,” he said. “I want to be sure they know that I’m thinking about them and I want to know how they feel and what they are doing.”

Shelton finds his involvement can make a big difference, particularly when teens are about to age out of foster care. He recalled one 17-year-old girl who had run away from her foster home and was staying with a friend. She wanted to be emancipated from state care so she could make her own choices.

Shelton met with her, asking in a low-key manner about where she was living, her plans for the future and potential obstacles such as how she was going to get to a job without transportation. He persuaded her to work on her plan and meet with him again in a few months. She never pressed for emancipation.

The judge has used this method with other older youth who want to leave their foster homes. “The idea is to have the kid more involved in some of the decision-making just to try and keep them supervised,” he said.

The next priority for Shelton is doing more advanced planning to try and keep children in their neighborhood schools. “If anything needs to be a constant, it should be school. It’s pretty tough on a kid to lose everybody, including their friends and teachers,” he said.

Shelton said he was surprised and honored to be named Judge of the Year. He likes that the plaque contains a heart.

“There couldn’t be a better symbol for CASA,” he said. “They cut to the heart of the matter.”

By Janet Elliott

JuDgeS ruLe: cAsA volunteers impact cases

It is profound the impact that cAsA in Fannin county has had on so many lives. It is not unusual to see young people who have aged out of foster care continue their relationships with their cAsA. That is a tribute to the way cAsA volunteers work cooperatively with everyone involved in our justice system.”

–Judge Lauri Blake, Bonham

cAsA volunteers operate independent of bureaucratic rules. I rely on the their eyes and ears and opinions to overrule the bureaucracy when necessary to promote the interest of the youngster. cAsA volunteers also provide continuity. cPs caseworkers may change but a cAsA doesn’t.”

–Judge John Delaney, Bryan

cAsA represents a crucial link between the children in care and the court. They serve as my connection to these children and I am eternally grateful for the dedication and hard work cAsA volunteers put into these cases for the benefit of the children.”

–Judge K. Randall Hufstetler, Angleton

I never go forward on a case

unless I’m sure that my CASA is here.

They are the eyes and the ears

of the court.


Randy Roland, CASA of Collin County, Excellence in Governance Board Member of the YearWorkshop Session

Bryan Post, Speaker

CASA of Travis County Volunteer

Rebel Pais and CASA Cow Patti


2012 TexAs cAsA

coNFeReNce

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2012 Texas CASA Conference

Volunteers Saluted

Mary Timmons, Dallas CASA, Mary Kay Go Give! Award Winner

Dr. Ira J. Chasnoff, Speaker

Eleanor Johnson, CASA of Southeast Texas,

Joseph Gagen Leadership Award RecipientMetoyer Martin, Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Outstanding Staff Member of the Year Award Recipient

IMPrOVIng QuALITY ADVOCACYTexas cAsA supports local cAsA programs and volunteers by providing training, like the Texas cAsA conference, and developing resources to enhance the quality of advocacy available to children in care. 2012 TexAS CASA COnFerenCe SPOnSOrS

Great State Of texaS

Superior Health Plan texaS ShininG Star

The Dorset Foundation & Jane & Jim PiperRed Media GroupGreenhat Event Technology YellOw rOSe Of texaS

Silicon Labs Deep in the heart Of texaS

Children’s Medical CenterDevereuxFrisco Convention & Visitor’s Bureau texaS caSa GO GiVe! awarD

Mary Kay

IMPRoVING oUTcoMes

FoR cHIlDReN

October 25-27 | Frisco, Tx


Eat, Drink & Be Scary Welcome ReceptionDavid Pelzer, Speaker

Judge Robert Kern, Special Recognition

CASA Cow Patti and CASA of Collin County Friends


THe cAsA coMMUNITY

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growing the CASA Community

CASA of Denton County

Child Advocates of Fort Bend

Voz de Ninos Laredo

CASA of South Central Texas

CASA of Trinity Valley

CASA of Tom Green County

CASA of Cameron and Willacy Counties

Throughout the year, CASA programs train volunteers

who are sworn in by judges so they can be appointed to

speak up for children in care.

TexAS COunTIeS

SerVeD BY CASA

seRVeD bY cAsA PRoGRAMs

NoT seRVeD bYcAsA PRoGRAMs

12,5K

0‘01 ’02 ‘03 ’04 ‘05 ’06 ‘07 ’08 ‘09 ’10 ‘11 ’12 ‘13 ’14 ‘15

25K

37,5K

50K

Children in Texas FY 2001 ‐ FY 2015Volunteer Advocates

Children Served Children in Care


THe cAsA coMMUNITY

growing the CASA Community

CASA of Travis County

CASA of Brazos Valley

Child Advocates San Antonio

CASA of Bastrop County


FocUs oN YoUTH

14

CASA Program Helps Foster Youth

Spread Wings Jessica sheely, a former foster youth, credits her cAsA volunteer for

supporting and encouraging her to graduate from high school and apply

to the nationally ranked University of Texas Mccombs school of business.

CASA Volunteer Mattie Ford, right, with Jessica Sheely, center, and Child Advocates

of Fort Bend Wings Team Leader, Heather Rashid, at Sheely’s high school graduation.

Sheely is one of nine foster youth served by Child Advocates of Fort Bend volunteers who successfully graduated from high school in May. Seven were accepted to colleges.

When Sheely first met her CASA volunteer, Mattie Ford, she assumed the retired teacher was one of the numerous adults who were in and out of her life while in the foster care. However, as the monthly meetings became daily phone calls, Ford became Sheely’s mentor, supporter and role model.

“She was solely there for me, not for any other reason but to listen to what I had to say,” said Sheely.

Ford has been a CASA volunteer for 14 years and has served 10 children. Her background in education led her to find volunteer work revolving around children. She said a CASA volunteer should always be encouraging and supportive of their youth.

“I was the person who always told her she could do whatever she set her mind on,” said Ford.

In addition to providing trained CASA volunteers, there are other ways the program supports foster youth. A few years ago, CAFB began two programs which prepare youth for independent living after they age out of the foster care system.

“When youth age out, most don’t have the support system to be independent,” said Ruthanne Mefford, executive director of CAFB. “We’ve identified the areas where these youth need help the most after leaving the foster care system.”

Each program targets youth ages from 14 to 18 years old, offering hands-on experience in various aspects ofindependent living. The WINGS program takes youth out on field trips to local businesses to practice managing a budget, renting an apartment and preparing for a job interview. The program also requires youth to build relationships with adults outside of the child welfare system and CASA so they broaden their options for the future.

The Campus Crawl focuses on continuing education for youth by offering tours of different colleges in Texas, including the University of Texas, Texas A&M and other smaller schools. The program also gives step-by-step instructions on how to fill out college applications and how to apply for financial aid.

“Having an idea of how to prepare for post-secondary school encourages youth to do well in school and look forward to their future,” said Mefford.

As a peer counselor at Campus Crawl, Sheely had the opportunity to connect with the younger youth and answer questions from a college student’s point of view. She plans to pass on the gift that Ford gave to her during a difficult time of her life.

“My CASA volunteer inspired me to become a CASA volunteer in the future and I hope my experience will help other foster youth to make successful decisions in their life.”

Story By Jean Jihyei Yoo

Having an idea of how to prepare for post-secondary school encourages youth to

do well in school and look forward

to their future.


CASA WOrKS FOr PerMAnenT, SAFe HOMeS

CASA volunteers work to move children through the foster care system and into safe permanent homes as quickly as possible.

Sometimes that means reunification with biological parents if they have demonstrated to the court they can keep their children safe. Sometimes that means placement with family members or close family friends who choose to foster or adopt the children. Other times it means that the children are adopted by people who are not related to them.

And sometimes, it means helping youth who age out of the system because permanent placements are not found.

CASA volunteers and local programs work to provide the youth with the tools they need to prepare them for life after foster care.

Texas CASA, with a grant from the Texas Supreme Court Permanent Commission for Children, Youth and Families, developed the Permanency Toolkit to assist CASA volunteers and staff who work with older youth to plan for their futures. The toolkit and specific trainings equip CASA volunteers and staff with effective strategies for meeting the needs of older youth in foster care.

A copy of the toolkit can be found at www.texascasaresources.org/volunteers/permanency-toolkit Foster youth tour colleges in Campus Crawl


FocUs oN leGIslATIVe

ADVocAcY

CASA Speaks up at the Capitol to

Improve Child WelfarecAsA supporters gearing up for the 2013 Texas legislative session have good news for lawmakers: the additional funding allocated in 2011 is making a difference in more children’s lives than ever before.

A $4 million budget increase approved by the Texas Legislature in 2011 helped grow the number of trained CASA volunteers to a record 7,260. These volunteers have supplied help, hope and a voice to 22,970 children in the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The case is clear: Court Appointed Special Advocates® is a cost-effective solution to an overburdened child protection system.

“In these times of tight money, we’re a really good investment for the state,” said Susan Etheridge, executive director of CASA of Collin County and a former CPS director. “Especially in a time when legislators are looking for programs that work, they can’t do better than CASA.”

She said Collin County saved $3 million in 2011 by using CASA volunteers, instead of paid attorneys, as guardians ad litem appointed by the court to represent children’s best interests.

Research shows that children who are appointed a CASA advocate spend less time in foster care, which saves critical state dollars.

Last session’s funding boost has enabled many local programs to narrow the gap between those children who need a CASA and those who are appointed one. For example, in just two years the number of children served by CASA of Williamson County has grown from 19 children to 100. Of a child served by a CASA of Williamson County volunteer, Judge Suzanne Brooks says, “There is no doubt in my mind that CASA saved that child’s life.”

“The plan is to continue to grow intentionally and sustainably until each of the 580 children in the custody of the state in our county can be served by a CASA volunteer,” said Alisa De Luna, executive director for CASA of Williamson County.

She wants legislators to know that the program is leveraging state funding not only through volunteers but also through private

16

fundraising. “This will allow us to further diversify our revenue resources and ensure our CASA program gains more and more financial stability,” De Luna said.

Legislative support has been a critical building block for CASA of Travis County, which served a record 1,412 children in calendar year 2012, with 562 volunteers.

“State funding and its consistency and Texas CASA’s success over the last two sessions in getting increases has really been a critical baseline that has enabled us to grow and continue to generate more support,” said Laura Wolf, executive director of the Travis County program.

As CASA gears up for the 83rd Legislative Session, which begins Jan. 8, funding again is a critical issue.

The number of children needing a CASA is projected to grow to almost 50,000 in 2015. Without additional resources to recruit, train and supervise additional volunteers, the percentage of children in CPS custody that benefit from CASA advocacy will actually decrease.

Because the goal is a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one, Texas CASA is asking the Legislature for additional funding to recruit, train and supervise additional volunteers.

Texas CASA’s 2013 public policy agenda also includes several initiatives aimed at improving the foster care system for children. These include ensuring that critical decisions, such as using psychotropic medication to treat children or moving children from one

foster placement to another, are more deliberate and in the best interest of children.

“We are committed to eventually being able to recruit, train and support enough volunteers for every child in DFPS custody,” said Andrea Sparks, Director of Public Affairs for Texas CASA. “Even in the best child protection systems, CASA volunteers are needed to give children in foster care the individualized attention and advocacy they so desperately need. In the meantime, we want to ensure that we are doing all we can to improve the system for all children in the system, whether they have a CASA volunteer or not.”

Around the state, local volunteer CASA legislative advocacy teams have been meeting with their legislators about the critical need for more resources so that CASA can help protect more children from slipping through the cracks of the foster care system.

Jim Funke, a CASA of Montgomery County board member and chair of their legislative advocacy team, said “We believe the foster care system is broken and we are seeking [our legislators’] support to drive reform and provide more CASA volunteers.”

On Jan. 30, about 400 CASA advocates from all over Texas will visit the Capitol in a strong showing of support. They will be wearing “CASA blue” and speaking up for children.

Until then, Etheridge works to keep open lines of communications with legislators from her area so they know CASA as a trusted source of information about issues surrounding abuse and neglect. She also has testified at legislative hearings on issues such as the importance of keeping siblings together and redesigning the foster care system.

Wolf, who has been involved in legislative advocacy for a decade, counsels those visiting their senators and representatives to remember that legislators and their staff have to be

experts on many different topics. CASA’s role is to be a resource for them on issues staff and volunteers deal with on a daily basis, she said.

The most powerful message comes when those who work with children speak from the heart, Wolf said.

“I really encourage volunteers to speak authentically about their experiences,” said Wolf. “Tell what they see in foster care and share their hopes and wishes for the kids they represent.”

By Janet Elliott

The differences CASA makes add up to making a huge difference for our young people and the future of Texas.

–Governor Rick Perry

Each year thousands of abused and neglected children rely on CASA volunteers to help them find safe, permanent homes.

–Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst

CASA volunteers … help ensure the child protection system in Texas works better.

–Speaker of the House Joe Straus

Our state’s investment in (CASA) helps … abused and neglected young Texans to find safe, permanent homes. There is overwhelming evidence that children who have a CASA volunteer are more likely to become successful adult citizens.

–Senator Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Health and

Human Services Committee

Investing in CASA, which leverages state funds through well-trained and dedicated volunteers, is a smart investment for Texas. Children who have a CASA volunteer are less likely to get stuck in the foster care system, which is not only a very expensive system, but also emotionally damaging for many children.

–Representative John Otto, Chair, House Appropriations

Subcommittee on General Government


Texas CASA’s 2013 public policy agenda includes

several initiatives aimed at improving

the foster care system for children.


FocUs oN DIVeRsITY

18

Texas CASA, Local Programs Help Move

Children of Color Through Foster CareImagine that Michael, 10, and Demarcus, 10, have been removed from their homes because their parents are abusing drugs. both are scared and wondering where they will go from here.

Although their circumstances are similar, their journey through the foster care system is likely to be significantly different because of their skin color. Both are placed in foster care but it is Michael who has a greater chance of being reunified with his family, placed with relatives or adopted in less than 13 months.

Because Demarcus is an African American child, he probably will have a very different experience. He will likely:• Move from foster home to foster home, having multiple placements a year;• Have fewer services like counseling and tutoring;• Not be adopted or reunified with his family; and• Age out of the system at age 18 without a family or resources to survive on his own.

Demarcus’ experiences are known as disparities caused by the disproportionate number of children of color in foster care. Disproportionality refers to the overrepresentation of a particular racial or ethnic group in a segment of the population compared to their representation in the general population. In this case, African American children make up only 12.1 percent of the Texas child population, but represent 30 percent of the children in care.

Disparities, based on bias within the system, not only impact the children but their families as well. Of the 16,266 families who received family-centered serves from Child Protective Services in 2011, 22 percent were African American and 35 percent were Anglo.

Texas CASA and local CASA programs hosted a series of outreach events to African

American communities in Texas.

Representative Dawnna Dukes at Austin Outreach Event

Stakeholders in the child welfare system recognize that disproportionality and disparities are major challenges. Texas CASA and CASA programs are working to address these disparities by focusing on diversity initiatives that educate CASA staff and volunteers on the disadvantages that children of color face while in care.

Texas CASA has laid the foundation for programs to begin addressing disparities by providing Knowing Who You Are trainings and targeted volunteer recruitment events.

Knowing Who You Are was developed by Casey Family Programs to prepare child welfare professionals to help foster children develop healthy racial and ethnic identities. In 2005, Texas CASA introduced the curriculum to the CASA network to provide CASA volunteers with the skills necessary to effectively advocate for children of color and to begin addressing the poor outcomes affecting these children. The Texas CASA network has 15 KWYA facilitators, more than any other state, and has trained more than 300 volunteers and staff, with six trainings scheduled for 2013.

To help and encourage programs to develop targeted volunteer recruitment, Texas CASA developed and hosted Lift Your Voice events in three regions inviting the African American community to engage with CASA programs. The events helped start the process of building relationships between the African American community and CASA programs.

By Caitlyn Perdue

19

Disproportionality refers to the

overrepresentation of a group within a segment of the

population compared to the general

population.


CASA of Southeast Texas

When CASA of Southeast Texas in Beaumont realized that 70 percent of the children being served were African American but only three percent of the volunteers and none of the staff were African American, the CASA program made diversifying the volunteer pool a priority.

“Decisions were being made that reflected the culture, values and norms of the people making the decisions, not necessarily those of the population being served,” said eleanor Johnson, program director for CASA of Southeast Texas. “Our goal has always been better outcomes for all our children.”

By creating the Local Diversity Advisory Group in 2004 and attending workshops like Undoing Racism and Knowing Who You Are, the program is training staff and volunteers to better understand diversity and the impact of race on society and especially within the child welfare system.

The program reopened and reassigned 20 cases of children in long-term foster care or Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC). For these children, the state is acting as their parent and majority have been in the system for more than a year.

One case involved two siblings who had been in the same foster home for 12 years but the foster parents never committed to them. With their CASA advocate’s support, they were able to graduate high school and meet all the qualifications for college and to be able to support themselves independently.

“Children in PMC are more vulnerable because they are faced with the state as their permanent parent and there is no one left to rescue them if they don’t make it,” said Johnson.

The long-term results have been extraordinary for the CASA program: fewer children are in long-term foster

care, more cases are dismissed in less than a year and more children are being reunited with their families.

“We still have a long way to go. African American children are still coming into care at about the same rate as they traditionally have been, however, the outcomes are significantly better,” said Lanis McWilliams, executive director for CASA of Southeast Texas.

CASA of Travis County

In 2007, CASA of Travis County began tackling the overrepresentation of children of color in the foster care system.

“CASA’s job is to advocate for the best interest of children,” said Laura Wolf, executive director CASA of Travis County. “When children of color are taken into the foster care system at rates far surpassing their representation in the population as a whole, that cannot possibly be in their best interest.”

From participating in Undoing Racism workshops to developing an informal diversity task force and creating a full time diversity staff position, the program has made many changes to achieve its diversity goals.

“Probably the biggest change was to dedicate the resources necessary to create a new staff position to focus on our efforts in the arena of diversity and disproportionality,” said Wolf.

From their efforts, the CASA program has seen an increase in the proportion of Latino and African American volunteers and is now seen as a leader in embracing diversity among the community.

“The community sees CASA as an ally in discussions around racial and ethnic disproportionality and disparity through our active, consistent and genuine participation in local workshops and initiatives,” said Wolf.


locAl cAsA PRoGRAMs

CASA Community in TexasALPIneFrontier CASA(432) 837-7448 | www.frontiercasa.org AMArILLOAmarillo Area CASA(806) 373-2272 | www.amarillocasa.org AngLeTOnCASA of Brazoria County(979) 864-1658 ATHenSCASA of Trinity Valley(903) 675-7070 | www.casaoftv.org AuSTInCASA of Travis County(512) 459-2272 | www.casatravis.org BASTrOPCASA of Bastrop County(512) 303-2272 | www.casaofbastrop.com BAY CITYCASA of Matagorda and Wharton Counties(979) 245-4958 | www.casa-mw.org BeAuMOnTCASA of Southeast Texas(409) 832-2272 | www.casasetx.org BeLTOnCASA of Bell & Coryell Counties(254) 939-2946 | www.cacct.com BOnHAMFannin County Children’s Center(903) 583-4339 | www.fanninccc.org BrenHAMCASA for Kids of South Central Texas(979) 277-0088 | www.wespeak4kids.org BrOWnSVILLeCASA of Cameron & Willacy Counties(956) 546-6545www.casaforcameronwillacy.org

BrOWnWOODCASA in the Heart of Texas(325) 643-2557 | www.casabrownwood.org BrYAnVoices for Children/CASA of Brazos Valley(979) 822-9700www.voicesforchildreninc.org CHILDreSSCASA of the Rolling Plains(940) 937-3180 | www.childresscasa.org CLeBurneCASA of Johnson County(817) 558-6995www.casajohnsoncounty.org COnrOeChild Advocates ofMontgomery County(936) 441-5437www.casaspeaks4kids.com COrPuS CHrISTICASA of the Coastal Bend(361) 884-2272 | www.coastalbendcasa.org COrSICAnACASA of Navarro County(903) 872-3772 | www.kidadvocates.org DALHArTCASA 69, Inc.(806) 244-2684 | www.casa69.org DALLASDallas CASA(214) 827-8961 | www.dallascasa.org DeCATurCASA of Wise & Jack Counties(940) 627-7535 | www.casawise.org DenTOnCASA of Denton County(940) 243-2272 | www.casadenton.org eDInBurgCASA of Hidalgo County(956) 381-0346 | www.casaofhidalgo.org

eL PASOCASA of El Paso(915) 546-8146 | www.casaofelpaso.com FOrT WOrTHCASA of Tarrant County(817) 877-5891 www.speakupforachild.org gAIneSVILLeCASA of North Texas(940) 665-2244 | www.casant.org gALVeSTOnVoices for Children/CASA ofGalveston County(409) 762-0267 | www.rccgc.org geOrgeTOWnCASA of Williamson County(512) 868-2822 | www.casawctx.com grAHAMNorth Star CASA(940) 549-9829www.virginiashousetx.org grAnBurYCASA of Hood & Somervell Counties(817) 579-6866 www.missiongranbury.com greenVILLeCASA for Hunt County(903) 450-4410www.casaforhuntcounty.org HereFOrDGreat Plains CASA for Kids(806) 363-1211 HOuSTOnChild Advocates, Inc.(713) 529-1396 | www.childadvocates.org HunTSVILLeCASA of Walker & San Jacinto County(936) 291-6363www.casaofwalkercounty.org

20


locAl cAsA PRoGRAMs

CASA Community in Texas

21

KerrVILLeHill Country CASA(830) 896-2272 KIngSLAnDCASA for the Highland Lakes Area(325) 388-3440 www.highlandlakescasa.com KIngSVILLeBrush Country CASA(361) 595-7233 www.brushcountrycasa.org LAreDOVoz de Niños(956) 727-8691 | www.vozdeninos.org LIBerTYCASA of Liberty/Chambers Counties(936) 334-9000 | www.casalctx.org LOngVIeWEast Texas CASA(903) 753-8093 | www.easttexascasa.org LuBBOCKCASA of the South Plains(806) 763-2272 | www.lubbockcasa.org LuFKInCASA of the Pines(936) 634-6725 | www.casapines.org MArSHALLCASA of Harrison County(903) 923-9224www.casaofharrisoncounty.org MASOnBluebonnet CASA(325) 347-6474 | www.bluebonnetcasa.org McKInneYCASA of Collin County(972) 529-2272www.casaofcollincounty.org MIDLAnDCASA of West Texas(432) 683-1114 | www.casawtx.org

nACOgDOCHeSCASA of Deep East Texas(936) 560-4711 neW BrAunFeLSCASA of Central Texas(512) 392-3578 | www.casacentex.org ODeSSACASA of the Permian Basin(432) 498-4174 | www.casapba.org OrAngeAdvocates for Children(877) 586-6548www.advocates-4-children-inc.org PAMPACASA of the High Plains(806) 669-7638 | www.casahp.org PArISCASA for KIDS(903) 737-4346www.pariscasaforkids.org PLeASAnTOnCASA of South Texas(830) 569-4696 | www.casasouthtx.org rOCKWALLLone Star CASA(972) 772-5858 | www.lonestarcasa.org rOSenBergChild Advocates of Fort Bend(281) 341-9955 | www.cafb.org SAn AngeLOCASA of Tom Green County(325) 653-4673 | www.cactomgreen.org SAn AnTOnIOChild Advocates San Antonio, Inc.(210) 225-7070 | www.casa-satx.org SHerMAnCASA of Grayson County(903) 813-5400 | www.casagrayson.org

STePHenVILLeCASA for the Cross Timbers Area(254) 965-6610 | www.casacta.org SuLPHur SPrIngSLake Country CASA(903) 885-1173 | www.lakecountrycasa.org TexArKAnACASA of Northeast Texas(870) 775-1252 | www.casatexarkana.org TYLerCASA for Kids of East Texas(903) 597-7725www.casaforkidsofeasttexas.org uVALDeTri-County CASA(830) 278-7733 | www.bluebonnetcac.net VICTOrIAGolden Crescent CASA, Inc.(361) 573-3734www.goldencrescentcasa.org WACOCASA of McLennan & Hill Counties(254) 304-7982www.casaforeverychild.org WAxAHACHIeCASA of Ellis County(972) 937-1455www.casaofelliscounty.org WeATHerFOrDCASA of Parker County(817) 599-6224www.casaofparkercounty.com WICHITA FALLSChild Advocates/CASA of Red River(940) 766-0552 | www.casawf.org

To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit: www.BecomeACASA.org

2011-2012 Annual Fundtexas championsThe Swalm Foundation McCraw Oil/KwikChek Convenience Stores Designated for Texas CASA and the CASA programs in their service markets

texas archangelsBlue Cross and Blue Shield of TexasGrande CommunicationsLocal Independent Charities Superior HealthPlan

texas angels CenterPoint Energy Inc.ExxonMobilWal-Mart FoundationWells Fargo Bank, NA

texas benefactorsJennifer Deegan and Zach RichardsMs. Debbie FergusonSuzanne and Don Maloney

texas advocates Alpha Capital ManagementAltriaAspen TechnologyBaker Engineering and Risk ConsultantsGlenn and Susan BrooksFairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Austin NorthwestJoe Gagen and Joanne HopkinsMerck Partnership for GivingSusan H. MoseleyMr. and Mrs. William MoseleyRobert and Jackie PhillpottJane and Jim PiperCheryl RaeDarren RodgersMichael and Holly Turner


sPecIAl THANKs

22

Heartfelt Thanks to Our Donors! grants for Special Texas CASA Projects

For Enhanced Quality Assurance and Online Core Advocacy Skills Training (CAST)

To Build Texas CASA’s Online Community of Champions

For Knowing Who You Are trainings in 2013

Joe Gagen and Joanne hopkinsFor Texas CASA’s 2012 Child Welfare System Primer

For Texas CASA’s Training Video: Children & Their Families – A Journey Through the Texas Child Welfare System

For 2012 CASA Superhero 5K Series and Texas CASA’s Training Video: Children & Their Families – A Journey Through the Texas Child Welfare System


sPecIAl THANKs

23

You Make It All Possible! texas protectorsPaula AhdersJulie BowlingRebecca BrownPattilou DawkinsGreg and Amy Herzog – in honor of Nate HerzogJack and Joyce SampsonVicki SpriggsDr. Lawrence B. and Jana Price TeisFred and Marge Williams

texas friends Danita AbernathyPatrick and Marina BreelandLesley BrionesB. A. and LeRayne DonelsonSheri GarzonJames and Sandra HineGordon JohnsonAmanda Lee KnittelKatherine Kerr and Tim KubatzkyMr. and Mrs. Jon LuceRobert and Bridget McGowenJames McKinnonHolly MuninTimothy NiziolBecky and Gene NeedhamHeather and James ParsonsCharles Schwab FoundationSouthwest AirlinesLaura TaylorVinson & Elkins, LLPWilkinson Media Services

2012-2013 Annual FundGifts and Pledges Received September 1 through October 31, 2012

texas championsThe Swalm Foundation

texas archangelsWalmart Foundation

texas angelsLocal Independent Charities

texas benefactorsGene and Becky NeedhamMike and Holly TurnerBilly Ward

texas advocatesBen and Tracey Franks - In memory of Emily Ann FranksSusie Moseley

texas protectorsRebecca BrownThe Rev. Ray HendricksJack and Joyce SampsonThe Honorable Gregory WilhelmToyota 100 Cars for Good

texas friendsBrandy BuckCeleste Prather

2011 Texas CASA Annual Conference October 2011San Marcos, TX

platinum Underwriter Office for Victims of Crime

plenary Session UnderwriterSuperior Health Plan

Keynote Speaker Underwriters Texas Bar FoundationThompson & Knight Foundation

Gold UnderwritersGreen Hat Event DesignGruene Hall

welcome reception Underwriter Silicon Laboratories

bronze Underwriters The Dorset Foundation & Jane and Jim Piper

conference break Underwriters Seton Healthcare FamilyDevereux-VictoriaBrown McCarroll, LLP

friendSan Marcos Convention and Visitors Bureau

2012 Texas CASA Annual Conference October 2012Frisco, TX

Great State of texas SponsorSuperior Health Plan

texas Shining Star SponsorsThe Dorset Foundation & Jane and Jim PiperRed Media GroupGreen Hat Event Design

Yellow rose of texas SponsorSilicon Labs

Deep in the heart of texas Sponsors Children’s Medical Center of DallasDevereux-VictoriaFrisco Convention and Visitors Bureau

2013 LuncheonTexas Children.Texas Champions. As of November 28, 2012

tall texan SponsorBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

texas wrangler SponsorSuperior Health Plan

texas ten Gallon hat SponsorsCenterPoint Energy Inc.H-E-BRyan, LLCState Water Heaters

texas bluebonnet SponsorsElkayJay Ellwanger and Christina Westfall

texas Spirit SponsorsAlpha Capital ManagementAmerigroupSeton Healthcare FamilySilicon Labs

texas two-Step SponsorsJim and Sandy HineLind Family FoundationSuzanne and Don Maloney In memory of Susan Burt, Executive Director of CASA of McLennan and Hill CountiesPfizerVerizon

To make a secure donation, please visit: www.TexasCASA.org

WWW.TexAscAsA.oRG

mOnDaY, JanUarY 14, 2013

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at the capitOl

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If you would like to become a CASA volunteer, please visit: www.BecomeACASA.orgTo make a secure donation, please visit: www.TexasCASA.org

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