Texas CASA

We are honored to present the 2024 Big Voices for Little Texans award to State Representative Jon Lujan and U.S. Senator John Cornyn in recognition of the impact they've made in the lives of children and families involved in the child welfare system! After every Texas legislative session, Texas CASA determines which legislators played the most significant role in advancing the interests of children in foster care. This year, we had the opportunity to award these lawmakers at the Texas CASA Conference. Learn more about these two awardees: bit.ly/BVLTAward

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we want to highlight Texas Health and Human Services Commission Family Violence Program. This program offers free, confidential services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence. This crucial resource offers services from emergency shelters to 24-hour hotlines. With no income eligibility requirements, anyone can get assistance. Find more information at https://lnkd.in/gGKeW9FN

That's a wrap on the 2024 Texas CASA Conference! A special thank you to our incredible sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and attendees for making this event unforgettable. Your passion, insights and support have been amazing and we couldn't be more grateful for your contributions and attendance.

Join us in celebrating National Make a Difference Day by supporting our mission to connect and advocate for local CASA programs in Texas. Whether you're a active volunteer or using your voice to raise awareness, together we can make positive differences the child welfare system and create a lasting change on our communities! Make a difference today by donating at bit.ly/TexasCASADonate

Texas CASA kicks off the Texas CASA Conference: Mapping Uncharted Waters with a parent panel. CASA, did you know you are “village builders”? That is how one parent described CASA. #TXCASAConf!

From a surprise flash dance, our opening session with Cindy Dyar and the parent panel to multiple learning sessions AND a Seaside Soiree — Day 2 of the Texas CASA Conference was unforgettable! 💫 Thank you all for being a part of it. Now don't stay up too late on the dance floor (like us) 😉 We're back tomorrow at 9 a.m. for our ~bittersweet~ Closing General Session featuring Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs, DFPS Commissioner Stephanie Muth and CEO and Founder of @ thinkof_us Sixto Cancel. #TXCASAConf

We're so excited to be together for the #TXCASAConf! 👏🏖️ The first day of conference featured some INCREDIBLE speakers, institutes and workshops. Texas CASA's own Advocacy Initiatives Director Candice Dosman led an institute centered on Collaborative Family Engagement and our Public Policy team discussed effective legislative advocacy, child welfare trends, current hot policy topics and legislative priorities for the 89th Legislative Session. ⭐ Brad Ray and Rob Hahn taught attendees how to chart a clear course through complex cases and how to show others to do the same. Attendees also discovered how to map the uncharted waters of each unique child’s story with accuracy and insight. 💯 Two additional institutes covered trauma-informed advocacy and education for children, advocates, placement and communities and how to chart the waters to successful faith-based partnerships. See everyone bright and early tomorrow! 🌅

We're honored to award Judge Laurie Blake with the Texas CASA Judicial Innovation and Leadership Award for her decades of work on child welfare cases!👩⚖️👏 Judge Blake is the elected judge of the 336th State District Court in Fannin County and has served in that role for 20 years. She keeps a collection of locally hand-made blankets behind her in her courtroom and at the beginning of every case, she allows parents to pick out a blanket for their children that are in foster care. During each adoption consummation, she also gives adoptees an uncirculated $2 bill to let that child know they are rare, unique and valuable. Given that she is retiring this year, her community nominated her for this award to show her that we also think she is rare, unique and valuable. Learn more about Judge Blake at: bit.ly/JudgeLaurieBlake

CONFERENCE IS HERE! We're excited to welcome you tomorrow as our annual Texas CASA Conference All Aboard: Mapping Uncharted Waters kicks off. Get ready for 3 days filled with opportunities to have fun, connect and learn about more ways to help support children and families in foster care. See you in Galveston!

We're grateful to TXB (Texas Born) and McCraw Oil and Propane for supporting Texas CASA and the local CASA programs! This year they've raised $130,000 at their Doyce Taylor Memorial Annual Fishing & Golf Tournament. This annual tournament has supported Texas CASA and local CASA programs since 2009 and this year brings their total raised to more than $1 million! This donation will be distributed across 16 local CASA programs and will help continue the work of CASA volunteers in the lives of children and families in the foster care system.