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CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training, and supporting community volunteers.
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Welcome to another edition of CASA Up Close Monthly. Please feel free to contact CASA for more information about anything you read. And, as always, thank you for your continued support!
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Letter from the Executive Director
For many children, the next few months will be fun-filled, hot summer days with happy childhood memories being created. Sadly, though, my thoughts turn to children facing a different reality.
When children are in school, there are extra eyes and ears keeping up with their lives as their teachers see them every day. A teacher is often the one who notices changes and is a trusted person a child can open up to when he is not safe at home. In 2017, there were 57,272 reports of abuse made to Texas Child Protective Services by teachers, the highest percentage of reports at 19%.
But when school is out for the summer, teachers no longer see the children daily. Our CASA volunteers will not let the summer go by without checking to make sure the children are safe and have someone they can confide in.
During the summer months, it is especially important for concerned community members to report suspected child abuse to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at
www.txabusehotline.org or by calling 1-800-252-5400. Teachers are a great resource for children, but they must not be the only resource.
Keep the children on your mind and in your hearts as you enjoy this summertime, and remember that the children in our community are also the future of our community.
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Executive Director
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Become a CASA Volunteer 
Training courses are ready for you!
San Marcos
May 9 - June 6
Thursdays
New Braunfels
May 10 - June 7
1 to 5 p.m.
Saturdays
Schertz
May 12 - May 26*
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Check out our calendar for dates and times for the rest of the year and for information on how to get enrolled.
For more information on training courses, contact Volunteer Coordinator Samantha Mundine Coleman at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272, or by
email.
Training is required for all new Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers.
*Our weekday Volunteer Training Course is typically a 5-class series. The Guadalupe County classes will be a 3-class series, with a m
andatory 10-hour online class to be completed before training sessions begin.
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April Proclamations
Local government officials read proclamations throughout the month, officially recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
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Continuing Education for CASA Volunteers
On April 2nd, CASA
volunteers and DFPS professionals from Comal County attended a presentation by the Mexican Consulate out of Region 8 (San Antonio area).
As a result of the Collaborative Family Engagement initiative, the Mexican Consulate and Texas CASA have a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate together on CPS cases where there are children and parents who are Mexican nationals. The presenters highlighted the importance of CASA, CPS, and the Mexican Consulate needing to work together in order to get children and families the resources they need while navigating an often confusing world of policy and paperwork.
DFPS workers and CASA were able to ask case-specific questions as to what to do if they have a client who may be undocumented or need information on how to become a U.S. citizen. The Mexican Consulate is able to provide professionals and clients with information regarding their options. The Consulate is even able to help professionals in CPS cases locate a family member in Mexico or facilitate visits or transportation.
The Mexican Consulate is eager to work with CASA in order to better serve families in need of services.
All CASA volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually.
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"Voices" Information Sessions
Want to learn more about the role of a CASA Volunteer?
Come to
our
one-hour information session and hear how our volunteers advocate for children who have been abused and neglected.
CASA staff and
volunteers will be on hand to share their stories and answer your questions.
Wednesday, May 16th, noon
Historic County Courthouse, 1st floor conference room
Please RSVP to Eloise Hudson by
email
or at 830-626-2272.
Would you like to host a CASA Voices session in your town? Please contact us.
Lunch provided by Chick-fil-A.
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Viva Ol
é!
It was a Fiesta on Friday, April 20th at
Chandelier of Gruene in New Braunfels.
CASA and Los Compadres, "Viva Olé!" was a chance to recognize
long-time supporters, the San Marcos Lions Club and Comal County Commissioner Donna Eccleston.
Thank you to everyone who attended the event. Great food, great music, and lots of support for CASA!
See videos of the speakers from the event
here
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Thank you to our sponsors!
El Jefe:
The Whole Enchilada:
Hot Tamale:
Prosperity Bank
Texas Financial Advisory
Hoppin' Jalepeno:
Becky and Gene Lake
CMC Steel Texas
Frank Pereira
JoAnne Germer
John Manthey
J&R Gymnastics
Junkin Law Office
The Kyle Law Firm
Paula Vacek
Property Professionals, Inc.
Texas Lehigh Cement Company
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Upcoming Events Benefiting CASA
CASA of Central Texas welcomes community initiatives to help promote awareness and funding for our program. By taking on this type of project, event organizers assume the responsibility of creating a successful event without a significant level of assistance from CASA. All special events and fundraising efforts conducted to benefit CASA are run by financially responsible and reputable organizations or individuals motivated by a genuine desire to help CASA. If you are interested in hosting a third-party fundraiser to benefit CASA, please review these guidelines.
May 5
Belk Store Charity Day
New Braunfels
$5 coupons available for purchase at CASA offices
June 9
Geezerfest
Gruene
June 16
Movie Hero Run
Stars & Stripes Drive-In
New Braunfels
THANK YOU to Hays County Constable David Peterson and 4 Mooses BBQ for holding a fundraiser for CASA in April. All proceeds benefited the CASA Training & Support Center building project.
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Raising the Bar
The Texas Bar Foundation awarded a grant this month to CASA, to train and support community volunteers to help abused and neglected children who are in long-term foster care. CASA envisions a world where every child thrives in a safe, stable and loving home.
Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $18 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation's largest charitably-funded bar foundation.
Thank you to Texas Bar Foundation for your continued support!
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Dust off Your Capes
CASA of Central Texas is joining the Travis and Williamson County CASA programs again for the
2018 Superhero Run! Thousands of superheroes will run, walk and fly to help abused and neglected children.
We are now the opening race for the renowned Austin Distance Challenge, a series of the most prestigious local running events leading up to the Austin Marathon & Half Marathon in February. If you've been wanting to train for a full or half-marathon, you can kick off the season with our chip-timed 5K.
CASA Superhero Run
September 16, 2018
Registration/Check-In, Costume Contest and Activities at 7 am
Races begin at 8 am
More details and registration
here
You can be a superhero for children who've been abused or neglected.
Can't make it that day?
Click here to set up your fundraiser for CASA of Central Texas!
Sponsor Questions? See here for incredible opportunities. Contact Tricia Schneider, Development Director, 512.392.3578, [email protected].
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