Greetings from CASA!
What an exciting time it has been here at CASA. We have so much to be thankful for and it starts with thanking the many people who serve kids in foster care as we recognize May as Foster Care Appreciation Month. It is important that we recognize and thank foster parents, placements, relatives, and anyone else who has stepped up to care for a child in need of love and safety. Our staff at CASA serves these families on a daily basis and we see the need for more people who are willing to give these kids a chance to survive and thrive in a loving home. Fostering is life changing for all involved. The most compelling comment I often hear from foster parents and our CASA volunteers is “I got into this so I could change a child’s life, and instead, it was the child that changed my life.” If you have any interest in joining the ranks that can have that kind of impact on young children, please reach out to our office and we will gladly get you plugged in to make an immeasurable impact on a child in foster care.
Also, a big THANK YOU to everyone who purchased blue ribbons at CASA in April in support of Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. If you have not had time to drive by or visit the CASA office, our front windows were almost full of beautiful blue ribbons purchased by many supporters. This has once again proven to create a powerful visual message as our community tries to eliminate child abuse in our area. CASA advocates play a big role in putting these words into action when they accept the challenge to advocate for these children.
And finally – we received fantastic news in April about our Quality Assurance Review with Texas CASA. The comprehensive exam proved that we are one of the top CASA programs in the state. We scored 99/100 on our administrative review and 95/100 on our casework review, which is outstanding in both areas. I must first give thanks to our volunteer advocates for their diligence and thoroughness on their case reports, court appearances, notes, and commitment to making their visits. Without the work of our volunteers and their dedication to doing the follow-up chores for each visit – the notes, documentation, and other tasks needed, this would not have been possible.
I also wish to congratulate and thank our entire CASA staff for the time and effort they put into getting us ready for the QAR. The folks at Texas CASA confirmed what I already knew – that we have one of the most passionate, supportive, and caring teams they have ever met. This has not happened by accident. Every single person in our office understands the culture of supporting our volunteers as much as advocating for the kids we serve. I am so proud to serve alongside each of our dedicated CASA team members and hope you recognize the time and energy they put into making your advocacy work count. We love our advocates and our CASA staff is here to support you in every way possible. We want to be THE premier volunteer organization in Central Texas!
For those who advocate – THANK YOU. For those who would like to get involved in a life changing volunteer role – contact our office today to learn more about how CASA can use your talents.
Sincerely,
Kevin