Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July and is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences and struggles of the disability community. Even though this month comes with many joyous celebrations, we cannot negate the unfortunate reality that both children with disabilities and children of parents with disabilities are overrepresented in the child welfare system. Texas CASA believes that the better we understand and address these issues, the more equipped we are to effectively serve children and families.

She Believed In Us More Than We Did: A Parent's Perspective

Dawn began her journey as a CASA advocate at East Texas CASA in January 2023. Before becoming a CASA advocate, Dawn taught middle school math for five years and worked as a high school counselor for 30 years. She is now retired and currently working part-time for an online academy. “Having seen firsthand the positive effects that CASA can have for students and their families, I decided to investigate this avenue upon my retirement,” said Dawn. Check out what two parents had to say about Dawn, their child’s assigned CASA advocate: 

Texas CASA's General Counsel and Chief External Relations Officer Receives Award

We are honored to announce that Texas CASA's General Counsel and Chief External Relations Officer Amanda Arriaga recently received the 2024 Contribution to Minority Community Award from Travis County Women Lawyers Foundation (TCWLA)! For more than 40 years, TCWLA has worked to support the furtherance of justice and equal opportunity for women, families and children. Congratulations, Amanda, your hard work, dedication and passion are to be admired!

Registration Opens August 13 for Texas CASA Conference

We are excited to bring back the full 3-day Texas CASA Conference, October 23-25 in Galveston! This year’s conference All Aboard: Mapping Uncharted Waters is an opportunity for us to come together to learn from those who work with and are involved in child welfare and how to ride the waves of the changing system together. CASA staff, board member and volunteers, as well as anyone involved in the child welfare system, are encouraged to attend. 

Thank You to Southwest Airlines

We are honored to express our deep gratitude to our friends at Southwest Airlines for awarding Texas CASA with 50 round-trip flight passes! These passes allow us to assist CASA programs across the state in facilitating travel for volunteers who play a crucial role in the lives of children in need, especially when they are placed far from their community. As a Legacy Partner, Southwest Airlines was a key partner in the formation of Texas CASA 35 years ago. 

Austin Bar Association Podcast Discusses Child Welfare System 

Recently, Texas CASA's General Counsel & Chief External Relations Officer Amanda Arriaga spoke with Justice Darlene Byrne, Judge Leigh Mathews Rodriguez and Allison Edwards of Foster Angels about the child welfare system and the Denise Hyde Scholarship Fund. Listen to learn more about the scholarship, which provides funding for education-related expenses for youth aging out of foster care and what motivates these Austin Bar Association Council of Firsts guests to work towards improving the child welfare system. 

The Fix Featuring Sarah Worthington, Director of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

On this episode of The Fix, Director of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Foster Youth Justice Project Sarah Worthington discusses the legal barriers to independence youth face who age out of the foster care system, and how the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project aims to reduce those obstacles. Worthington also highlights how their needs are complex and overlapping, and oftentimes, they're left to navigate obtaining documentation and benefits alone after they turn 18. 

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