Texas CASA Post-Session & Leadership Tour of Texas Training Series

This September and October, Texas CASA’s Leadership and Public Policy teams will be traveling across the state to provide Post-Session Trainings, general updates and to facilitate conversations about the future of CASA in Texas. These regional in-person sessions will provide CASA program volunteers, staff and board members with a deep dive into the new laws passed during the 89th Legislative Session and give local CASA program leaders a chance to catch up with the Leadership team from Texas CASA. The Public Policy team’s portion of the training will be 3 hours and include lunch. Local program leadership will then be invited to stay for Texas CASA’s Leadership team meeting. Learn more in the link below.

Celebrating 10 Years of CFE in Texas: A Yearlong Series Featuring the CFE Top 10 Posters

The fall of 2025 marks 10 years of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) in Texas. That means 10 years of strengthening families, building connections and transforming the way we engage children and their support networks in the child welfare system. What started as a vision has grown into a movement, with CASA programs, CPS, CBC providers and other community partners across Texas leading the way in creating lasting change.

To celebrate this milestone, we’ve created a brand-new CFE Top 10 Poster Series. These 10 beautifully designed posters each focus on a different key area of CFE practice. Over the next 10 months, we’ll be spotlighting one poster each month. We'll dive deeper into each topic, reflect on how it connects to the past 10 years of CFE and share tips on how to bring these practices to life in your community. And here’s the exciting part: every CASA program in Texas will receive one printed copy of each poster to use in your day-to-day work! Learn more in the link below.

Registration Opens for The Forum on September 3

Each year, CASA Executive and Program Directors come together at The Forum to share, learn and strengthen our statewide network. This year is no exception. In a time of change and challenge, our greatest strength lies in the dedication of CASA leaders who remain united in service to children and families. Join us in Round Rock, TX on November 5-6 for meaningful conversations, collaborative problem-solving and inspiration to carry our mission forward — together. Registration is $50 per person and opens September 3, 2025. Attendance is limited to Executive Directors and Program Directors.

Two Upcoming STAR Trainings in September

In September, as children and youth head back to school, the STAR team will host two webinars on educational advocacy! We are excited to share valuable information and resources to support CASA supervisors and volunteers who step up every time to ensure children in foster care receive the education and services they deserve. Please join us for both webinars: College Knowledge for CASA Advocacy on September 16 and a Local Program Panel Discussion on Educational Advocacy on September 29. Both webinars will be held from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 

Supercharge Your Volunteer Recruitment with the How Heard Tool in Optima

Join us for an exclusive training session on the How Heard tool on September 17 at 1:15 p.m. This powerful tool within the Optima platform will help you streamline and track potential volunteers from the time they first hear about CASA to becoming a volunteer. Optima Consultant Rob Hahn will show you how to leverage this tool with Optima to efficiently capture and manage inquiries from prospective volunteers and move their information through the volunteer pipeline. You'll learn how to get the most out of the How Heard tool, helping you know more about your volunteer pool and connect with the right candidates faster. Don't miss this opportunity to take your recruitment efforts and volunteer tracking to the next level!

*This training will take place during the regular September monthly Keep Calm and CASA On recruiter Zoom chat and is primarily for recruiters, but any CASA staff who tracks volunteers in Optima is welcome to join.

Free Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine

Dell Medical School’s Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program provides in-school telemedicine services for children and adolescents with behavioral health needs. In some cases, services can even be administered outside of the school setting. Students receive an initial intervention and/or assessment, and, if necessary, referrals to community-based mental health care providers. The Dell Medical School (DMS) hub serves students in 13 Central Texas counties as part of a larger, statewide TCHATT program.

TCHATT is a free service paid for by the state and does not require any insurance. This statewide program partners with school districts in your community to offer students free, virtual mental health care with licensed clinicians. Learn more and check out their resources in the link below.

Recruitment Bounty: Tip of the Month

Team up with local law enforcement and other stakeholders such as judges or school districts to join or create a Beyond the Badge event. Beyond the Badge events are public forums for community members to ask questions and hear from experts and officials on relevant topics. These events are a great way for the audience to learn about CASA and how professionals in your area work with CASA to support the children and families you serve. Check out CASA of Tarrant County attending their local Beyond the Badge event.

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