TITLE: Honoring Child Advocates San Antonio for its outstanding work in behalf of foster children in Bexar County.

SUMMARY: Honoring Child Advocates San Antonio for its outstanding work in behalf of foster children in Bexar County.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, For nearly 40 years, the dedicated volunteers of Child Advocates San Antonio have made a profound difference in the lives of vulnerable children in Bexar County; and WHEREAS, Child Advocates San Antonio was founded in 1984 by the National Council of Jewish Women in San Antonio under the leadership of Ellinor Forland and office manager Betty Zinn; the organization is part of a nationwide network of Court Appointed Special Advocates programs, which train volunteers to serve as the official voice for abused and neglected children in the foster care system; these special advocates are appointed by district court judges, and they work tirelessly to help ensure that each child finds a safe and permanent home; and WHEREAS, Since the San Antonio chapter's inception, its advocates have provided invaluable assistance to children in foster care in Bexar County; last year alone, local CASA volunteers devoted more than 18,000 hours, and in 2021 they drove over 160,000 miles to ensure that their young clients received the care and services they needed as they navigated the child welfare system; the chapter has also served the community by facilitating events such as a back-to-school giveaway, through which it distributed backpacks to more than 1,000 local families; and WHEREAS, On January 24, 2023, Child Advocates San Antonio announced that it had been designated a trauma-informed certified agency; the organization is one of only a few in Bexar County to attain this certification, which underscores its commitment to providing trauma-informed care to survivors of abuse and neglect; and WHEREAS, Child Advocates San Antonio has relied immensely on the hard work, compassion, and drive of its volunteers in carrying out its vital mission, and all those involved with the organization are truly deserving of recognition for their generous service to young Texans in need; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby honor Child Advocates San Antonio for its outstanding work in behalf of foster children in Bexar County and extend to those affiliated with the group sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Child Advocates San Antonio as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Campos Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 413 was adopted by the House on March 1, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House