Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Southeast Texas has received a grant from the Texas Bar Foundation.
The Texas Bar Foundation awarded $6,500 to CASA of Southeast Texas to expand its early intervention services for children and families involved in the child welfare system.
CASA is a nonprofit organization that recruits, trains and supervises volunteers appointed by the court to advocate for children who have been abused and neglected. The funds will support the organization’s effort to engage with children and families within 24 hours of a child’s removal from home.
The initiative’s goal is to strengthen intervention efforts in the early stages of a case and improve outcomes for children and families.
“This expansion allows us to intervene earlier, build relationships sooner, and support families during the most critical moments immediately following a removal,” said Alexis Patronis, executive director of CASA of Southeast Texas said. “We believe earlier advocacy and family engagement can create stronger outcomes for children while helping families access support before challenges escalate further.”
CASA will work collaboratively with child welfare professionals, courts and community partners to connect families with services as quickly as possible.