Start a Program
Developing a CASA program is a grassroots effort that requires hard work and commitment. Local community members with a passion to improve the lives of the community’s abused and neglected children work with Texas CASA staff to develop programs all over the state. Each local CASA program forms its own non-profit corporation and is a creation of and a reflection of its own community. All CASA programs share a common mission, however, -- to train volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children. All programs must also follow both Texas CASA and National CASA standards in fulfilling this mission.
Texas CASA Expansion Staff works closely with communities who want to develop a CASA program. Texas CASA assists in introducing CASA to the community through presentations and meetings, in garnering support from judges, CPS, and other stakeholders, and in forming a steering committee that develops the non-profit and elects a Board of Directors. Throughout the process of development, Texas CASA provides individual consultation and resources.
Once the new local program is formed, Texas CASA provides additional support in the areas of program management, volunteer recruitment and training, board and staff training, financial administration, and case management. The Texas CASA network, which currently consists of sixty-three programs in 194 counties, also provides invaluable resources, mentoring, and insights both during and after the development process.
- How Texas CASA and local community members work together to form a CASA program:
- Interested community members contact Texas CASA Expansion Specialist.
- Texas CASA meets with interested parties and discusses the program development process.
- Texas CASA facilitates meetings with local judges, the CPS program director, and other stakeholders to gain insight into the community’s needs and support for the CASA program.
- Community members and Texas CASA give presentations and conduct community meetings to increase awareness of the needs of abused and neglected children and how CASA can help.
- Community members form a steering committee.
- Steering Committee raises awareness in the community, recruits and selects a board of directors, and completes the Texas CASA application, including a draft budget and funding plan.
- Steering Committee and board of directors form a non-profit corporation.
- Board of Directors submits application to Texas CASA and National CASA.
- Board of Directors hires an executive director.
- Texas CASA provides training and resources to board of directors and executive director.
- Executive director manages the CASA Program and recruits, trains, and supervises volunteer advocates while board of directors governs and supports the CASA Program.
For more information about developing a CASA program, please contact Andrea Sparks, Programs Director, at asparks@texascasa.org.
