Court Appointed Special Advocates of Collin County, Inc.

Our best-interest advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin, if that can be safely achieved. Most children we work with are in foster care, but some are with their families of origin. And, most children who leave foster care do so to return to their families.
CASA of Collin County works to ensure every child served receives the services and advocacy that is necessary to improve their well-being. Volunteer advocates develop trusting relationships through consistency and aim to keep the child's best interests forefront.

New volunteers undergo a thorough background screening, interview, and 35-hour training and are sworn in as guardian ad litems before a judge. To continue to fulfill our needs and ensure that an advocate is available for 100% of the children entering the child welfare system in Collin County, CASA recruits new and trains dedicated volunteers on an ongoing basis.

Volunteer advocates are required to complete 12 hours of in-service training each year. Advocates are supported by a Volunteer Coordinator who is available each step of the way to offer guidance, support, resources, and expertise. Each CASA is responsible for being the “voice" for that child in court and making sure everything possible is being done to ensure the child receives every needed service. In addition, the CASA ensures the biological family is receiving services so an accurate assessment can be made regarding the safety of returning the child to their home or relatives. The volunteer sees the child face-to-face at least 2 times a month. In addition, he/she maintains contact with every other person involved with the child. This includes biological parents and relatives, CPS workers, foster families, schools, therapists, attorneys, and doctors. The CASA does his/her own investigation of the case to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information possible.

The CASA Advocate's testimony and observations are of tremendous importance as the judge is ruling on life-changing decisions that must be made for each child as they search for a permanent, safe, and loving home. One Volunteer Advocate and one Volunteer Coordinator remain with the child throughout the entire process, usually lasting a year or longer. Because their CASA advocate follows each child for the length of the entire court case (and often beyond in an informal role), the CASA Advocate is likely the only stable and trusted individual who has remained a constant in the child's life as they encounter changes in foster care placement and changes in CPS Caseworkers.

Most importantly, our program works. Each day CASA Advocates work to break the cycle of abuse and allow for the child to heal and thrive in a safe, permanent and loving home.

CASA's program model leverages the dedication of community volunteers to serve children appointed by the District Court Judges. Hundreds of volunteer advocates are mobilized in the community and around the state.
As a vital thread of service in the fabric of community support for children navigating the child welfare system, CASA of Collin County has longstanding relationships and works closely with public and private partners to ensure the best outcomes for each child.

Since 1991, CASA has served over 12,000 children and since 1997, served 100% of children entering foster care in Collin County. We meet a critical need for the vulnerable population of children-at-risk and our program has a significant and lifelong impact on our clients.
As the child welfare system develops, CASA of Collin County is focused on providing individualized support, training, and resources for each volunteer advocate and child.