For National Reunification Month, observed annually in June, we are taking the time to recognize and strengthen the ongoing efforts around the country that help families stay together, including the efforts happening right here in Texas. Texas CASA believes reunification with the family of origin should always be the top priority. If a child cannot safely remain with their parents, placement with kin or fictive kin will then be the next goal. Texas CASA takes an active approach towards promoting reunification by implementing these supports in our Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) work, as well as in the pre-service training for volunteers and ongoing training opportunities for staff and volunteers. 

Joan Ulsher, CASA Advocate and Recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer of the Year Award

CASA volunteer, Joan Ulsher, was recently selected as the 2024 Governor’s Volunteer of the Year Award recipient. Texas CASA is honored to celebrate Joan, one of only 15 recipients of the Governor’s Volunteer Awards. Joan is a San Antonio-based writer, philanthropist, retired U.S. Army Major and award-winning child advocate. A survivor of abuse with first-hand experience of foster care, Joan proudly serves children in the foster care system and has advocated for 24 children as a CASA volunteer since 2018.

Maria McCord, Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach 

"As a former foster child and part of the LGBTQ+ community, I understand firsthand how children can feel lost in the system and not heard. I remember my CASA advocate, Rebecca. When she visited me, I always felt valued." Maria McCord is a Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach for Texas CASA. She was born and raised in El Paso and has more than 20 years of experience working with children in foster care and nonprofit organizations. 

Thank You for Supporting Texas CASA During Foster Care Month

Thank you to everyone who helped us recognize National Foster Care Month in May! Our incredible donors contributed essential funds to support our innovative programs and public policy efforts. Your donations help us connect each part of the CASA network and help the local CASA programs to perform at their highest level. If you missed the opportunity to make a gift to Texas CASA during National Foster Care Month, you still have the chance to support our work. Learn more in the link below.

New Episode of The Fix Featuring Rachel Gandy

On this episode of The Fix, Chief of Staff Rachel Gandy of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department discusses the various volunteer opportunities available at TJJD. Gandy also highlights the impact that volunteers make in the lives of youth affected by the juvenile justice system and how they promote pro-social, educational, emotional and spiritual growth, healthy family relationships and more. 

Heart Galleries Launch Across Texas

Heart Galleries of Texas works to find positive permanency for Texas children. In January 2023, they began to partner with the University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work and the Moritz Center for Societal Impact. With these partnerships in hand, Heart Galleries was able to develop plans for the statewide expansion of their model. We are excited to share the good news that Heart Galleries is rolling out an aligned, collaborative, community-based approach to establishing Heart Gallery programs statewide.

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