In 2024, 214 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 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.
Here are a few statistics from FY 2024:
The mission of Lone Star CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is to recruit, train, & support community volunteers, appointed as Guardians ad Litem, to advocate for the best interests of children of Rockwall & Kaufman Counties who have been removed from their home and come into the foster care system with an opened court case due to abuse or neglect. The primary goal - a CASA for every child in need in the program area to provide guidance and support until he or she is placed in a safe, permanent home, free of abuse.
Currently, we're responding to the growth of children removed due to abuse and neglect in our community by preparing to train additional volunteers and hire additional staff. We are also looking at a new property for the long term. In addition, we are hoping to expand our current Community Family Engagement Program into Kaufman County. 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.
For over 30 years, Lone Star CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) has worked to provide our courts with the information needed to act in the best interests of abused and neglected children in Rockwall and Kaufman Counties, and to ensure that all children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.
Organization name
Lone Star CASA
Causes
Youth & Children
Operating Budget
$500,000 - $999,999
Counties Served
Kaufman, Rockwall
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, Other
Address
108 Kenway Street