About CASA

Mission
CASA of Travis County exists to promote and protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected, by training volunteers to advocate for them in courts, in schools and in our community to help them find safe, permanent and loving homes.

Vision
For every child who needs us, CASA of Travis County envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home and a promising future.

Values
In working to achieve our vision, we act on the following core values:

• Excellence in all our endeavors.
• Inclusiveness, diversity, respect for all cultures and ethnicities: for children, families, volunteers, staff, Board, and supporters.
• Empowering the community through strong screening, training, supervision and support of volunteers.
• Honorable and respectful involvement in the child welfare system, with the courts and all parties.
• Independent and educated recommendations, true to our understanding of each child’s best interest, that prioritize children’s safety and, wherever possible, preserving connections to their families.
• Responsible use of resources to maximize our positive impact on the child welfare system.
   

Established in 1985, CASA(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County was the fourth CASA program launched in Texas. During the first year of operation, CASA recruited and trained 43 volunteers and served a total of 85 children. The organization has grown steadily ever since to maintain a volunteer base of approximately 400 and serve more than 1,100 children annually.

CASA volunteers are concerned community members who complete 30 hours of intensive training and donate an average of 20 hours a month to the service of one child or sibling group for a minimum of one year. CASA volunteers monitor each child's educational, therapeutic, legal and medical progress as well as their placement. The opinions of the CASA volunteers and staff members are highly valued in the courtroom and regularly incorporated into the children's service plans. CASA volunteers are often recognized as the one person who truly understands the child and their situation.

CASA of Travis County is a non-profit organization 501(c)3 governed by a volunteer board of directors.

Para información en español, haga clic aquí.