CASA of the Coastal Bend

CASA of the Coastal Bend's mission is to advocate for the best interest of children in Nueces and Aransas County foster care. Our trained Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) gather information and evaluate the needs of the children. These volunteers work collaboratively with families and other associated professionals to provide valuable information to the judge. A CASA volunteer is a consistent presence in a child's life during the process of the case.

CASA recruits, trains and supports volunteers who gather information and evaluate the needs of the children they represent. These volunteers speak out in court, advocating for the best interests of the children. CASA volunteers stay by a child's side throughout the case, advocating for reunification when safe and possible.

Last year, 757 children from Aransas and Nueces counties were in foster care. A CASA volunteer helped 381 of those children navigate the chaos of being removed from their families and everything they knew as normal. CASAs help children in foster care maintain healthy family connections and ensure all their needs are met. Because we don't have enough volunteers, 376 children did not have a CASA to advocate for their education and medical needs or try to find additional family members or give extra support to parents working to be reunited with them. Your donation during the Coastal Bend Day of Giving goes towards recruiting and retaining CASA volunteers.

By supporting CASA of the Coastal Bend, you become a partner in our mission to change the lives of families and transform our community.

Testimonials

"In the life of a foster child, family members may fail, caseworkers may come and go, placements may change, but the CASA volunteer can be the one constant in life as a safe, permanent home is sought.

There is no substitute for the feeling you get knowing that the child you supported in foster care finally has a safe, permanent home."

Cathy Tyree
CASA Advocate

"Family court judges take CASA recommendations seriously because they know we are dedicated, consistent advocates who truly know the children and their unique circumstances. Knowing my work directly helps children and their families thrive is profoundly impactful.”

Midge Epstein
CASA Advocate

"The advocacy that a CASA brings to a case is often the most consistent element in a child's foster care experience. In turmoil and instability, the CASA can be the one person a foster child can count on to be there through it all. I'm proud to be a CASA!"

Scott Eliff
CASA Advocate

“Being a CASA has shown me how powerful it is for a child to know that there is someone who will listen, believe in them and keep showing up, no matter what.”

Benita Flores-Munoz
CASA Advocate