News and updates for CASA program staff and leadership

NEWS

Advocating for Older Youth through the Collaborative Family Engagement Lens

We are excited to share a new resource available on the Texas CASA program portal page, Advocating for Older Youth through the Collaborative Family Engagement Lens. This newly launched website page includes many resources for staff and volunteers working with youth who are 14 or older. By making these resources easily accessible we are hoping that CASA volunteers and staff become educated on unknown topics and feel more confident and prepared to advocate for older youth.

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Updated Texas CASA Standards

Texas CASA Standards outline the rules and requirements for the operation and advocacy of local CASA programs. The FY23 Texas CASA Standards for Local CASA/GAL Programs was approved by Texas CASA’s Board of Directors in September 2023. These 11 updated Standards reflect National CASA/GAL’s focus on becoming a highly effective organization at the national level and desire to see highly effective organizations at the state and local levels.

EVENTS & TRAINING

Save the Date for Commercial Sexual Exploitation Identification Tool (CSE-IT) Training

If you’re looking to expand your support for youth at risk of being trafficked, join Texas CASA on December 5 from 9-12 p.m. for the CSE-IT screening tool training. This tool enhances user's ability to identify children and youth who have experienced this form of abuse. The CSE-IT is an evidence-based tool, developed with the input of survivors and service providers, and has been validated with data from a 15-month pilot to ensure that it accurately identifies youth who have clear indicators of exploitation.

Learn More & Register

New Information on QRTPs - Qualified Residential Treatment Programs

Please join the STAR Team during our monthly Zoom on October 30, from 12 to 1 p.m., when we will host the DFPS Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Program Leader to discuss everything you need to know about QRTP placements, including the referral and admission process, involvement of the different parties and how CASA can best advocate for youth in these placements. More QRTPs are being added throughout the state, and advocates and staff need to know how they differ from RTCs.

Learn More & Register

RESOURCES

New Podcast Episode on Strengthening Supports for Teens and Young Adults in Foster Care

In this episode of CASA on the Go, we’re delighted to be in conversation with Laura Villarreal, the Neurodevelopmental Program Specialist with the Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Laura shines a light on the web of services and supports that the Texas Workforce Commission offers for teens and young adults in foster care to help expand their access to economic opportunities and supportive mentoring relationships with a goal of establishing life-giving stability as they transition to young adulthood.

Listen Here

Fundraising Resources from Texas CASA

The end-of-year giving season is right around the corner and we want to make sure you have the fundamentals and templates that can help with your fundraising goals! Earlier this year, Texas CASA's Social Impact Director, Collin Acock, partnered with Colton Stawser Consulting to provide the network with a webinar called "Fundraising Strategies for CASA Programs". You can access the webinar on CASA College by clicking the link below.

Access Here

Latino Grandfamilies Toolkit

Texas CASA believes that supporting all children and families includes understanding their unique cultural identities, practices and everyday activities. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are happy to share the Latino Grandfamilies Toolkit with you. Created by Generations United, the toolkit gives a general overview of Grandfamilies, discusses the impact of family separation on Latino family/culture and covers key considerations for providing culturally appropriate services and fostering cultural identity.