Since 1988, National Foster Care Month has been recognized in May as a way to show appreciation and gratitude for foster parents, raise awareness of the over 365,000 children in foster care across the country and share ways to support them. Texas CASA has advocated for children and families in the child protection system for more than 35 years, and in those years, we’ve seen a lot. This month, we’ll share stories from Texas CASA leadership — testaments of what your support looks like in a child’s life and how one caring adult can truly change the course of a child’s future. This Foster Care Month, we’re inviting you to join us. Check out our Foster Care Month message from CEO Vicki Spriggs to learn more about her journey. 

CBS Austin Covers CASA Day at the Capitol

On March 27, 2025, the CASA network rallied at the Texas State Capitol for CASA Day at the Capitol. The event brought together more than 280 members from 54 of the CASA programs from across the state to meet with lawmakers about Texas CASA’s legislative priorities and funding. CBS Austin was onsite to cover this inspiring day, interviewing CASA supporters with lived experience, CASA volunteers, staff, board members and more. Check out their 5 p.m. news hour highlight and full article in the link below. 

Staff Spotlight: Anna McDonnell, Advocacy Initiatives and Implementation Manager

"I began working with Texas CASA as a consultant in 2016," says Anna. "At the time, I was a volunteer with Child Advocates of Montgomery County, and one of the children I was assigned to had one of the first cases in Texas to receive Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) services. That experience allowed me to work with Candice Dosman, who greatly influenced my approach to engaging families and advocating for the best interests of children."

STAR Strengths-Based Supervision Training

The Texas CASA STAR team provides training, assistance and resources for Volunteer Supervisors (i.e., STAR = Supervisor Training, Assistance and Resources). Last month, the STAR team brought together supervisors from all over Texas for their Strengths-Based Supervision Training for volunteer retention. The course objective was to implement a model of supervision that will support CASA volunteers in adopting principles of strengths-based, family-centered practice in their advocacy when working with children, youth and families. Thank you to everyone who attended the in-person training in Austin. We are so happy you joined us! 

New Episode of The FIX Featuring Maggie Sheppard with Foster Angels of Central Texas

In this episode of The Fix, we sit down with Maggie Sheppard, Director of Partnerships and Communications at Foster Angels of Central Texas. Sheppard shares how Foster Angels is dedicated to improving the lives of children in foster care by meeting their basic needs and providing life-enhancing opportunities. She recounts the impact of the organization's swift response to individual requests, like providing essential clothing and beds, as well as encouraging enriching experiences like summer camps and extracurricular activities. Sheppard emphasizes the importance of timely support and creating a sense of normalcy and stability for children in foster care.

Local Program Spotlight: "How Big Country CASA Helps Foster Kids Navigate the Court System"

Theresa Collins and Jonathan Leverton grew up in foster care, facing different challenges but sharing the same desire — to be seen, heard and valued. “My CASA volunteer is the first person who ever made me feel special, capable, worthy. I felt like she saw me. Hearing that at nine years old, when you’ve never heard those words of encouragement from anyone in your life before, it was striking, and it stayed with me,” Collins said. Check out the full story from Big Country CASA in the link below:

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