A message from Vicki Spriggs, CEO

Each holiday season, as we gather with loved ones, I think of the thousands of Texas children who don’t have that safe, warm home to return to. Right now, our state’s foster care system is under historic strain. Behind every overcrowded shelter and overworked caseworker is a child carrying the weight of it all, wondering if they will ever unpack their bag for good.

Imagine being a scared five-year-old in foster care, never sure who will be there tomorrow. A CASA volunteer is that steady presence in their life. I have a vision for the future where we grow to serve every child in foster care in Texas with a CASA volunteer. Every new volunteer recruited, trained and supported is one more child who won’t feel so alone. We need your help to get there. 

Leadership Team & Public Policy Tour of Texas 

This past September and October, Texas CASA’s Leadership and Public Policy teams traveled across the state to provide eight post-session trainings, which included general updates and conversations about the future of CASA in Texas. These regional in-person sessions provided CASA program volunteers, staff and board members with a deep dive into the new laws passed during the 89th Legislative Session, and gave local CASA program leaders a chance to catch up with the Leadership team from Texas CASA. 

Goodbye to Public Policy Director Sarah Crockett

After 11 years of incredible service, Public Policy Director Sarah Crockett has left Texas CASA to start a new adventure. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate her outstanding contributions, dedication, skill and passion she has shared with us throughout her tenure. Sarah’s leadership skyrocketed our advocacy efforts, expanded our partnerships across child welfare agencies and elevated our voice on key policy issues for over a decade. She has made significant contributions to the child welfare space, the CASA mission and, most importantly, to children and families in Texas. Words cannot describe how grateful we are for the heart, expertise and integrity she brought to this position. We know her impact will continue to shape our work for years to come. Hear directly from Sarah about her remarkable journey below.

Local CASA Program Spotlight Story: Hill Country CASA

As we enter the holiday season, we are honored to share a story we received from Shannon Walker, Vice President of Permanency at Belong, the Community-Based Care provider for the outlying counties of San Antonio. The story highlights the incredible medical and connection-informed advocacy provided by Hill Country CASA for a youth over the holidays. "With many of our own staff on leave for the holidays, it was amazing to have Amy and David so readily available," said Shannon. "This young man has a disability and doesn’t do well with strangers. Their quick thinking to get his fictive kin there was crucial."

Local CASA Program Wishlists

For many of us, the holiday season is full of excitement, celebration, family, warmth and community. As we enjoy this time with loved ones, we hope you will remember the children in foster care and the remarkable local CASA programs supporting them. Texas CASA put together a wishlist page with links to many of the local program wishlists. We encourage you to find your local program and help create a happier, more hopeful holiday season! Can't find your local program on the list? Visit texascasa.org/localprograms to contact them directly. 

2025 Highlights from Texas CASA Staff

We asked our extraordinary staff: What are you most proud of accomplishing with Texas CASA in 2025? Here is what some of them had to say: 

• "I’m most proud of reaching a major milestone: 10 years of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) in Texas."
• "I am incredibly proud of the hundreds of advocates across Texas who have continued their education through my quarterly Sharpening Skills Webinars."
• "This year the STAR team is extremely proud of the volunteer supervisors who came from all over Texas to participate in Strengths-Based Supervision Training for Volunteer Retention." 

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