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The Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, which is administered by the Office of the Attorney General, provides $500,000 a year in state funding to train volunteers under a contract with Texas CASA Incorporated. This organization provides services for 44 Texas CASA programs. CASA stands for "Court Appointed Special Advocates." The volunteers who serve with the Texas CASA programs provide a vital service for abused children. They are the children's special advocates in court. Judges Are Fact FindersCases of more than 7,000 abused Texas children were helped by nearly 2,000 volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA volunteers) last year. Texas law authorizes judges to assign CASA volunteers for abused or neglected children in the court system.CASA volunteers are carefully screened and trained on child abuse prevention, court procedures, and available government services. Volunteers are subject to annual performance reviews of their progress. Savings to the StateStudies show assigning a CASA volunteer to a case reduces the time the child spends in foster care from an average of 24 months to 15 months. In 1995-96, this shortened time in foster care produced a savings to the state of $88.6 million in foster care costs.Studies show that getting children into stable homes at the earliest possible moment in their lives is the most effective way to curb juvenile crime. CASA complements a number of other programs that help abused or neglected children and children at risk. Divisions of the Office of the Attorney General which serve or protect children include Juvenile Crime Intervention, Prosecutor Assistance and Special Investigations, the Crime Victims' Institute, Crim Victims' Compensation, Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services and the Child Support Program. CASA Volunteers are UnpaidA CASA volunteer is a responsible adult who offers stability to a child in crisis. Volunteers do not receive financial compensation for their efforts. Although the work is difficult, it is very gratifying.One CASA volunteer recalled a child she had helped place in a foster home. When one of the child's close family members died, the CASA volunteer attended the funeral to offer her condolences. The child, then almost 18, introduced her to people as "my CASA volunteer who was always there for me." For the CASA volunteer, this type of recognition was payment enough for the hours she had spent helping that child. To find out more information on becoming a CASA volunteer or details on a local program, call Texas CASA at 1-800-770-8042.
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Matagorda Area Network Contact Information
Voice: 979-245-1017
E-mail: mannet@man-net.org
Last Updated: October 19, 2001