In 2022, 202 children were moved through the Rockwall and Kaufman County courts after having been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Each one of those scared, traumatized children had a Lone Star CASA advocate to help them make it through the process. This year alone we have seen a The core of Lone Star CASA's program is recruiting, training, and supporting citizen volunteer CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) who function as Guardians ad Litem. Without guidance and support, prospects for children in foster care are dim, but CASAs help change this trajectory, primarily by becoming a consistent, caring adult presence in the life of the child.
Our Needs
Currently, the organization has outgrown its building space and we are in the process of expanding. With a substantial increase in new cases and as we continue to respond to the growth of children removed due to abuse and neglect in our community, we are in need of the space to train a larger number of volunteers and hire additional staff. In addition, we are hoping to continue the expansion of our Community Family Engagement Program. The main goals of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) are to avoid removing children from their family of origin whenever possible, and to help children achieve strong connectivity and permanency faster, preferably with relatives or other trusted loved ones. In collaboration with the Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS), local CASA programs, and community partners, we are working to ensure that every child in foster care has the opportunity for lifelong connections.