Welcome New Texas CASA Anti-Child Trafficking (ACT) Consultant

Stepping into the role of Texas CASA's ACT Consultant, Torey Tipton brings with her 12 years of expertise in human rights policy, anti-child trafficking and evidence-based service provision. Torey has successfully crafted and executed legislative agendas and program initiatives designed to address and combat human trafficking. She is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a robust background in policy development, nonprofit strategy and community engagement, and is firmly committed to advancing the mission of Texas CASA. Welcome, Torey!

Help Shape the Future of Community-Based Care (Survey Opportunity) – Your Voice Matters!

The Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing (UT-Austin), in collaboration with UT Arlington and UT San Antonio, is hosting virtual focus groups between April and June 2025 to gather feedback on Community-Based Care (CBC) in Regions 1, 2, 3W and 8B. This is a critical opportunity for those directly involved in or impacted by CBC to share their experiences — especially legal professionals and judges whose insights are essential to understanding what's working and what’s not. To learn more about this opportunity, click the link below or contact Dr. Erika Grajeda at erika.grajeda@austin.utexas.edu. 

Helping Kids Thrive: Behavioral Support and School Advocacy (Sharpening Skills Webinar)

We are excited to invite CASA volunteers to the upcoming Sharpening Skills webinar on May 7 at 12:00 p.m. This webinar will prepare CASA volunteers to better support children facing behavioral and emotional challenges in educational settings. Volunteers will explore how to advocate for school-based supports, promote educational stability and collaborate with educators to ensure each child’s needs are met. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of how strong behavioral advocacy can foster emotional well-being, support learning and strengthen CASA’s impact.

CFE for All: Statewide Training

CFE For All is a virtual training held quarterly for those who are implementing Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE). The CASA network, Child Protective Services and Community-Based Care staff are invited to come together to learn about the fundamentals of CFE and have the opportunity for practical, hands-on application of the skills and tools presented. The next three-hour virtual training will be held on May 15 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. All participants will need to complete the 2-hour CFE E-Learning before attending the training session.  

Upcoming STAR Zoom with Kenneth Thompson, DFPS Fatherhood Program Specialist

In child welfare, there is often more focus on engaging mothers than fathers even though fathers are just as important for a child's healthy development. CASA advocacy can help fathers understand the great value they have in their children's lives. Please Join the Monthly STAR Zoom meeting on April 28 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., when we will host a conversation with Kenneth Thompson, DFPS Fatherhood Program Specialist, focused on creative and successful ways to engage fathers. All CASA Staff are welcome to participate in this valuable conversation.  

TMRPA Training + Resources for CASA Staff Now Available! 

The Texas Medical Records Privacy Act (TMRPA) applies to CASA programs and their employees and requires all organizations to formally train their staff that handle protected health information in the first 90 days of their employment. Texas CASA provides TMRPA training annually for local program staff, and the recently recorded TMRPA training with Andi March can be found in the STAR Program Portal along with the Permission to Release Health Information templates in printable, customizable or digital formats in English/Spanish. 

Recruitment Bounty: Tip of the Month

Have you considered using text messaging as a form of communicating with potential and current volunteers? Some ideas for using text messaging, generated from local programs, include 1) automate follow-up with potential volunteers using text, 2) texting a potential volunteer once a month to share updates and events happening at your program 3) create a welcome text series for new or potential volunteers about the role of a CASA volunteer, 4) use text to communicate with current volunteers and/or share upcoming trainings or events. See the full Recruitment Bounty: Tip of the Month in the link below. 

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