The fall of 2025 marks 10 years of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) in Texas. That means 10 years of strengthening families, building connections and transforming the way we engage children and their support networks in the child welfare system. What started as a vision has grown into a movement, with CASA programs, Child Protective Services (CPS), Community-Based Care providers and other community partners across Texas working together to strengthen families.

In celebration of this remarkable anniversary, we are thrilled to share that we recently did a complete refresh of our Volunteer Pre-Service Training Manual and Facilitator Guide. The goal of the refresh was to fully embed Collaborative Family Engagement concepts and tools into the materials, while also shifting language so it reflects the reality of community-based care and other developments in the Texas foster care system. The Volunteer Pre-Service Training Manual will be used by all new CASA volunteers across Texas during their onboarding training.     

Read the full article to learn more about CFE and the new training resources.

CASA ACT Day 2025 (Anti-Child Trafficking Event) 

In early September, the Anti-Child Trafficking (ACT) team at Texas CASA hosted the first-ever CASA ACT Day in Austin, TX, with 48 participants from 30 different CASA programs across the state. This curated event was open to any local CASA program who is currently utilizing ACT Advocacy in some capacity. Texas CASA ACT Consultant Torey Tipton kicked off the day with an inspiring welcome message, setting the stage for a powerful day of strengthening CASA ACT Advocacy. Torey emphasized that this is “not just a conference; it’s a gathering of passionate hearts and brilliant minds, ready to collaborate and ignite real change.” Read the full story in the link below.

Texas CASA at the Amplifying Advocacy Conference

Texas CASA was honored to participate in the Amplifying Advocacy Conference hosted this past month by CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties! Texas CASA’s CEO, Vicki Spriggs, kicked off the day with her opening keynote, and Public Policy Director Sarah Crockett shared updates on the outcomes of the 89th Legislative Session and the new laws that went into effect this month. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this inspiring day. If you are interested in learning more about our Public Policy & Legislative Advocacy work, check out our website at the link below. 

Staff Spotlight: Wilbert King

Wilbert King is the Grants Compliance Specialist at Texas CASA, and he began his professional career in the field of Contracts and Grants at the University of Texas at Austin. Wilbert joined the Grants Team at Texas CASA two years ago and describes the Grants Team at Texas CASA as the most effective team from the top down for which he has ever had the pleasure of working alongside. Wilbert’s passions outside of work include smoking meats, cooking in general, and mountain biking. His personal philosophies are “hard work pays off” and “life always has a way of working itself out”. He also sincerely believes that he is working for the best employer with the best people in the greater Austin area.

New Podcast Episode Featuring Shelton Pellum

In this episode, host Margaret Halpin sits down with the deeply inspiring Shelton Pellum, who shares his lived experience in foster care — what it was like to navigate the system, the challenges he encountered and the strengths he cultivated along the way. Together, they talk about why youth voice matters in decision-making, what true belonging and connectedness mean for youth in care and how advocates can be strong supporters of academic success. Tune in for Shelly's powerful insights into what young people need most from the adults who walk alongside them. CASA on the Go is now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify.

We Appreciate Our Monthly Donors!

Our monthly donors are our loyal sustainers, and we’re so grateful for their commitment. Their support helps us strengthen the CASA network and ensures that our work continues to benefit children and families across Texas. Month after month, their generosity and dedication to Texas CASA makes a positive difference for those in foster care. If you’d like to be a part of this incredible group visit the link below.

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