The value of a consistent voice

CASA of Central Texas builds a volunteer system around the needs of individual children.

By Clayton Hollingsworth · 1 min read

Ways to take part ↓Leadership & contacts ↓

The Short Version

Trained volunteer advocates supporting children in the child welfare system across Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties.

Four counties, individual lives

CASA of Central Texas serves Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties. Established in 1985, it recruits, trains and supports court-appointed volunteers who advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Its work crosses the region's growing cities and smaller communities, following the needs of children rather than a single neighborhood boundary.

What advocacy requires

The organization's description of the role is practical and demanding. Volunteers learn about a child's circumstances, speak with family members and professionals, review relevant records, and bring information about the child's needs to the court. The advocate's role differs from those of the child's attorney and caseworker. Consistency is part of the purpose: a familiar advocate can help preserve continuity while other parts of a child's life change.

Supporting the support system

Philanthropic support sustains the organization behind that volunteer commitment: the recruitment, preparation and continuing support that help advocates carry out their responsibilities. Chief Executive Officer Norma Castilla-Blackwell and Director of Development Nicole Douglass lead the organization. For supporters concerned about children in foster care, CASA offers a focused way to invest in sustained attention to a child's needs across a process involving courts, families, schools and other professionals.