FY26 Calendar + Updated Texas CASA Standards

September marks the beginning of the new fiscal year for Texas CASA, and the FY26 Texas CASA Important Dates and Events Calendar is now available for download! The calendar includes signature events, quarterly grant performance measures, virtual program trainings, program webinars, Texas CASA holidays and more. You can access the calendar on our News & Events page anytime, or click here to download now. If you have any questions about the calendar, contact the Texas CASA Communications team. 

As announced on May 14, we were still awaiting guidance from National CASA on federal Executive Orders to update the Texas CASA Standards for Local CASA/GAL Programs. On June 27, 2025, the Texas CASA Board of Directors approved a revised version of the Texas CASA Standards, which includes recent updates made by National CASA. Please see the updated Standards in the link below.

Refreshed Pre-Service Training Manual and Facilitator Guide

We are pleased to share with you the refreshed Volunteer Pre-Service Training Manual and Facilitator Guide. As we updated these materials, we sought to fully embed Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) concepts and tools throughout the training, shift language so it reflects the reality of community-based care and other developments in the Texas foster care system and ensure that our training content is grounded in the most current data and statutes. 

We are deeply grateful to the working group who helped guide this refresh project and for the extraordinary passion and skill you bring to preparing and supporting new CASA volunteers across Texas. We hope these updates will serve to strengthen the powerful work you do every day.

Training of Facilitators Offered by National CASA This Fall

Texas CASA looks forward to resuming our quarterly Training of Facilitators (TOFs) beginning in early 2026 when our designated TOF facilitator returns from parental leave. In the meantime, for newly hired training staff who would like to attend a TOF workshop this fall, please complete National CASA's 2025 Pre-Service TOF Registration form to be notified of their upcoming training dates. Per their training team, they hope to add additional TOF dates for the fall and winter months. Additionally, our colleagues at the Nebraska CASA Association will be leading a virtual TOF on October 9 and 10, and welcome Texas training staff to attend.

Registration Open for The Forum

Executive Directors and Program Directors are invited to join us in Round Rock, TX, on November 5 - 6, for meaningful conversations, collaborative problem-solving and inspiration to carry our mission forward. This two-day event will focus on how we can become stronger as a network and position ourselves as leaders in child welfare across the state. We will also learn how we can incorporate TBRI into our daily work and strategize how we can not only grow, but thrive in a changing system and state. Registration is $50 per person and attendance is limited to Executive Directors and Program Directors.

Texas CASA Post-Session & Leadership Tour of Texas Training Series

This September and October, Texas CASA’s Leadership and Public Policy teams will be traveling across the state to provide Post-Session Trainings, general updates and to facilitate conversations about the future of CASA in Texas. These regional in-person sessions will provide CASA program volunteers, staff and board members with a deep dive into the new laws passed during the 89th Legislative Session and give local CASA program leaders a chance to catch up with the Leadership team from Texas CASA. The Public Policy team’s portion of the training will be 3 hours and include lunch. Local program leadership will then be invited to stay for Texas CASA’s Leadership team meeting. 

FY26 Sharpening Skills Webinar Series Starting October 8

We are so excited to announce our newest Sharpening Skills Webinar Series: Rooted — Being steady, thoughtful and grounded in the midst of a chaotic system. This year-long webinar series is designed to support CASA volunteers in staying centered and effective as they navigate the complexities of child advocacy. Each quarter, we’ll explore a different way to stay rooted — in the case, the child, yourself and your instincts. All webinars are free, virtual and open to CASA volunteers and staff. Check out all the quarterly topics and dates, and register at the link below. CEUs available upon completion. Stay grounded. Stay curious. Stay rooted.

Two STAR Webinars on Educational Advocacy in September

In September, as children and youth head back to school, the STAR team will host two webinars on educational advocacy! We are excited to share valuable information and resources to support CASA supervisors and volunteers who step up every time to ensure children in foster care receive the education and services they deserve. Please join us for both webinars: College Knowledge for CASA Advocacy on September 16 and a Local Program Panel Discussion on Educational Advocacy on September 29. Both webinars will be held from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 

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