Child Abuse Prevention Month is one of our biggest opportunities to step up and educate our communities about child abuse and neglect, and how we individually and collectively can help prevent it. As a key child welfare partner, Texas CASA has a deep understanding of the current state of child welfare in Texas, including the challenges facing vulnerable children and families, the gaps in support systems, and the critical role CASA volunteers play in creating safer environments. This knowledge allows us to not only raise awareness but also guide meaningful action that empowers individuals and communities to work together to create lasting, impactful change for children and families across the state. 

To help our communities understand the challenges these children face and the crucial support CASA volunteers provide, we want to share three truths we know to be currently undeniable: 

• CHILD WELFARE CASES ARE MORE SEVERE THAN EVER 
• A STRAINED SYSTEM MEANS GAPS IN CARE 
• CASA VOLUNTEERS CHANGE LIVES 

CASA programs serve as a bridge across the child welfare system by partnering with caseworkers, attorneys, and judges to keep a child’s best interest at the center of every decision. While professional roles may shift over time in the legacy system or Community-Based Care, CASA volunteers remain a steady presence in a child’s life and are an unwavering source of stability in a rapidly changing child welfare system. 

2026 Conference Save the Date + Call for Presenters and Vendors 

We are excited to be going back to San Marcos for the annual Texas CASA Conference on September 9-11, 2026! It’s been over a decade since we’ve been there, and we are happy to be able to enjoy their newly renovated convention center and all the new things the city has to offer.

🛎️ Registration Opens July 8

👀 We’re Looking for Speakers - Call for Speakers application closes April 17, 2026 

 🥳Showcase Your Product or Service  - Call for Exhibitors closes when full, space is limited

We hope to see you in San Marcos in September to honor the incredible work of the local CASA programs and to give you new tools to enhance your advocacy for children and families. 

Local Program Spotlight: Amarillo Area CASA

What began as a routine custody case quickly evolved into a complex, multi-state journey toward reunification. After a father relocated to Texas with his young son and later faced incarceration, attention turned to the child’s mother in California — a non-offending parent navigating a lengthy interstate placement process. As delays, miscommunication, and rising doubts complicated the case, one organization stepped in to bridge the gap. Through persistence, personal connection, and a hands-on home visit, Amarillo Area CASA helped bring clarity to the court — ultimately closing the case with reunification for the mother and child.

Where Science Meets Heart: Unlocking the Volunteer “Yes”

Last month, 32 recruiters from 28 local CASA programs joined Texas CASA in Austin for a one-day workshop, The Science of YES, hosted by Strategic Network Support Director Dennise Jackson and Campaign Marketing & Media Manager Lindsey Lee. The Science of YES explored how the brain makes decisions to say yes and what that means for volunteer recruitment. Attendees dived into brain-based principles that influence motivation, trust, and commitment, helping recruiters understand why people choose to step into advocacy and how to apply these insights in recruitment conversations. 

ACT Advocacy is a Critical Part of Child Abuse Prevention 

Human trafficking is among the most severe and harmful forms of abuse that a child can endure. Being trafficked violates their safety and well‑being and causes deep, long‑lasting trauma. Children in foster care are particularly vulnerable to trafficking, as disruptions in their family support systems increase their exposure to risk in many different ways.

Texas CASA is proud of the progress made in implementing our Anti-Child Trafficking (ACT) advocacy framework at the local level. With 59 CASA programs across Texas trained to recognize the signs of human trafficking, we are building a stronger, more connected network equipped to support affected youth. As trusted, consistent adults in a child’s life, CASA staff and volunteers serve as a vital resource for children who have experienced trafficking.

Staff Spotlight: Thalia Wilson, Website Development & Communications Specialist

Thalia Wilson is the Website Development & Communications Specialist at Texas CASA. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Design from the University of North Texas, where she concentrated in User Experience Design and minored in Art History and Advertising. During college, Thalia served as a resident assistant for three years and worked as a designer for the university’s dining social media. Born and raised in Texas, she moved to Austin from Frisco a year ago to begin her full-time role at Texas CASA.

Learn more about Thalia's journey and the heartwarming passion behind her work at the link below.

Join Local CASA Programs in Recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month 

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to bring attention to the safety and well‑being of children across Texas. Throughout the month, many local CASA programs amplify their awareness efforts, reminding us of the critical need for advocacy and support for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Texas CASA maintains a year‑round wishlist page with links to many local program wishlists. We encourage you to explore the list and support a program in your area this April.

If your local program isn’t listed, you can find their contact information at texascasa.org/localprograms. 

🛎️ Monthly Giving Tip

Direct donations to your local CASA program can help meet community‑specific needs. Visit texascasa.org/localprograms to find and support your program this month.

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