Texans are known for being tough. But, this year, we’re seeing in real time just what we’re made of. Last month, our collective strength was tested as floods swept through the Hill Country, taking with them too many lives. For CASA, the loss of children and even volunteers from local programs can feel unbearable. How do we move forward?

For me – the answer has to be – together.

That same momentum carries us into back-to-school season, a time that should be filled with hope and fresh starts, but for many children in foster care is instead marked by instability and uncertainty.  Children who grow up in the child welfare system face a number of obstacles and challenges related to education. Nationwide, only about half of youth raised in foster care end up finishing high school, less than 5% graduate from a four-year college and 2-6% complete a degree from a two-year college (nfyi.org). This adversity is due to many factors.

Staff Spotlight: Stephanie Battaglia, Public Policy Specialist

"My personal experiences ground me in this work on good days and hard days, and they drive me to push for policies that don’t just fix surface-level issues but truly meet children and families where they are," Stephanie says. "They’ve shaped my belief that lasting change requires both heart and strategy and that’s what I try to bring to every piece of policy I work on." Check out the full interview with Stephanie Battaglia, Texas CASA Public Policy Specialist, in the link below.

Happening TODAY ONLY! Dine to Donate at P.F. Chang's

It's here — our Dine to Donate event is TODAY, Wednesday, August 6! From 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., head to any P.F. Chang's in Texas to enjoy a great meal while supporting CASA. Make sure to mention the CASA fundraiser or show the flyer when dining in or ordering takeout directly through the restaurant, and help make a difference one delicious meal at a time. Find your local P.F. Chang’s in the link below.

Welcome New Texas CASA Board Members

Our Board of Directors plays a vital role in guiding our governance, overseeing financial stewardship and ensuring Texas CASA has the resources needed to fulfill its mission. We are profoundly grateful for their commitment to strengthening and advancing our work — supporting local CASA programs through training, community awareness, resources and public policy to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families in Texas. Meet our new board members in the link below!

Local CASA Program Staff Spotlight: Cassie Smith

Texas CASA is honored to share this story sent to us by Lee Ann Whitmire, tenured CASA volunteer of eight years and President of the CASA of Grayson County Board of Directors. She reached out to Texas CASA to celebrate one of their staff members, Cassie Smith. “Cassie transitioned to CFE coordinator in April 2025, and she hit the ground running," Lee Ann says. "Her diligent efforts have already changed the trajectory for children in two of our cases, one of which I’ve worked on for approximately 15 months." 

WFAA News Interview "New Laws Create More Oversight, Accountability for Texas Private Foster Care Contractors"

Texas CASA’s Public Policy Director, Sarah Crockett, recently weighed in on the new Community-Based Care oversight bills passed during the 89th Legislative Session. In the interview, Crockett explains how the new laws give the state more authority, oversight and protection as it navigates a process that is understandably complicated. "The legislature, I think, is still really supportive of community-based care and wants it to be successful," Crockett said. “I think [the new laws] are going to make community-based care stronger."

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