Established in 1989, Texas CASA serves as the membership association for all local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs in the state. We support the local CASA programs with training, community awareness, resources and public policy to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families in Texas. Over the past 35 years, we have grown and advanced our initiatives – and this past year was no different. We are excited to present Texas CASA’s FY24 Impact Report. This report highlights how Texas CASA works to connect the CASA network and statewide partners to proactively work toward our shared vision of a safe and positive future for all Texas children and families.

Thank You to Our Supporters 

As we move further into the new year, Texas CASA is deeply grateful for the generous support of our committed donors. We are honored to be supported by a community that cares so deeply for families and children across Texas like we do. Thank you to everyone who made a donation before the end of the year. Your contributions are already propelling our work forward as we prepare local programs across the state to amplify the voices of children this year. See our latest news and updates to learn more about your impact in the link below. 

Texas CASA Welcomes New Chief External Relations Officer and In-House Counsel

Texas CASA is honored to welcome our new Chief External Relations Officer Larissa Cartwright to the team. Known for her visionary leadership and unwavering passion for using storytelling to create meaningful connections, Larissa joins Texas CASA after two decades of award-winning experience in the media industry. Larissa has led top-performing newsrooms, earning numerous accolades, including the Lone Star Emmy for Best Newsroom in Texas in 2022.

In-House Counsel Lori Adelman will provide legal advice on internal Texas CASA operations, review contracts and more. Adelman is an attorney who has spent her career in the nonprofit and public sectors with expertise in family and poverty law, early childhood education, crime victim services and professional regulation. Adelman was most recently the director of character and fitness for the Texas Board of Law Examiners where she oversaw background investigations for the approximately 5,000 applications to the Texas Bar each year.

Goodbye to Candice Dosman, Advocacy Initiatives Director  

After almost ten years of incredible service, Candice will soon be leaving Texas CASA and starting a new adventure across the pond in England. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate her outstanding contributions and the positive impact she's had on children, parents and families in Texas. "I am so proud of the work by the CASA network to truly move towards best interest advocacy including family and parents. Working with the CFE team and everybody at Texas CASA and in the network has been such a privilege and honor, and I hope we will forever stay connected," said Candice. Learn more about Candice's remarkable journey with CASA in the link below.

Registration Now Open for CASA Day at the Capitol 2025

Join the CASA network in Austin on March 27 for the 2025 CASA Day at the Capitol! Hundreds of CASA advocates from all over the state will be visiting their legislative officials to spread the word about CASA and to raise awareness about challenges facing the child welfare system. Additionally, Texas CASA will be hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Reception the night before Capitol Day on March 26. Local programs will be able to invite their legislators and staff to honor and celebrate the essential and impactful work of CASA volunteers in Texas. 

The FIX Featuring Chloe Swan from The Landing

On this episode of The Fix, we spoke to Programs Operations Manager Chloe Swan from The Landing, a Houston-based nonprofit that serves survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation with a trauma-informed approach. Swan discusses one of the most pressing needs they've seen since opening — more support for younger victims of sex trafficking. In response, The Landing launched their youth advocacy program in 2020 and works to encourage healing, empowerment and self-sufficiency in children and youth who've been sexually exploited. 

New Podcast Episode: Leveraging Systems-Level Advocacy featuring Sarah Crocket and Stephanie Battaglia

In this episode of CASA on The Go, Texas CASA's own Public Policy Director Sarah Crockett and Public Policy Specialist Stephanie Battaglia discuss our legislative priorities for the 89th session. Crockett and Battaglia highlight key priorities, ways CASA volunteers can engage their legislators and the crucial connection between legislative advocacy and the direct support CASA volunteers provide to children and families.  Tune in to learn how you can help make a difference at both the grassroots and policy levels in this session. 

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