This organization provides services for 44 Texas CASA programs. 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. 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 State Studies 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. 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 Unpaid A CASA volunteer is a responsible adult who offers stability to a child in crisis.