Child Advocates San Antonio Achieves Trauma-informed Certification

Child Advocates San Antonio Achieves Trauma-informed Certification

Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) announces that the agency has become a trauma-informed certified agency. CASA is one of the few agencies in Bexar County to achieve this designation.


CASA is dedicated to supporting children on their journey through their removal from home and the various issues that brought them into the child welfare system. It is critical we do this work through the lens and language of trauma-informed care.

 

Trauma-Informed Care is a journey that encompasses far more than training; it’s a cultural approach to our people, processes, practices, and outcomes. It’s about deeply embracing that the children we advocate for in the foster care system have experienced trauma. Because of this awareness, we realize the impact of trauma, recognize the signs and symptoms, respond, and actively resist re-traumatization.

 

Research shows that childhood trauma impacts children’s social interaction, ability to play, and educational achievements. Chronic exposure to trauma affects memory, problem-solving, executive functioning, ability to focus, increased negative behaviors, and substance abuse. Children in foster care have, by definition, been exposed to trauma, both through the circumstances that lead to their removal and the removal itself.

 

Trauma-informed care offers the opportunity for children to engage more fully in their care. It allows them to develop stronger, more trusting relationships with their CASA Advocate or other adults in their lives. And, on the other side, trauma-informed care can help reduce burnout among the volunteers and staff serving the children, leading to more continuity for the children.



Due to our volunteers and team members being equipped with this knowledge and training, we serve with compassion and excellence. We are fully committed to continuously improving and to fully embedding a trauma-informed approach into our policies and processes and to embracing the language and intent of being trauma-informed throughout our agency. We view this as an excellent opportunity to simultaneously pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion to nurture a sense of belonging.

 

Trauma is healed through relationships, and only by increasing our knowledge and awareness can we build healthy relationships.

A Message from Child Advocates San Antonio on National CASA/GAL Funding Termination

By bfines • April 25, 2025
A Message from Child Advocates San Antonio on National CASA/GAL Funding Termination On April 24, 2025, the National CASA/GAL Association announced that its federal funding through the U.S. Department of Justice has been terminated. As a result, National CASA is suspending subaward disbursements, training programs, and technical assistance. The organization is actively appealing the decision and assessing what services it can continue to provide during this transition. Info from National CASA can be found here. We understand that this announcement may raise concerns in the community, and we want to provide reassurance and clarity regarding how this news affects Child Advocates San Antonio. First and foremost: There is no impact to our organization or our services. We are fully operational and remain committed to serving the children and families in our community with the same excellence, integrity, compassion, and commitment we have always shown. Here are key facts we want our supporters and the public to know: Our funding remains secure. Child Advocates San Antonio has a diverse and stable funding base that includes a healthy mix of public and private funding. No one funding stream exceeds 50% of our budget. You can access our recent financials HERE. Our stability comes from strong state support and our dedicated Bexar County community, which keeps Child Advocates San Antonio resilient and focused on serving children. We do not receive subawards from National CASA. The suspension of subaward disbursements has no bearing on our funding or ability to operate. Our training programs continue without interruption. Our comprehensive and high-quality Advocate training programs are fully intact. We do not require technical assistance from National CASA. Our team is experienced, well-resourced, and prepared to continue all programming. No cuts, no hiring freezes, no changes to our operations. We remain fully staffed and actively engaged in our mission to advocate for children in foster care. Our commitment to advocating for children in foster care is unwavering, and our services continue as usual. We want to be clear: Child Advocates San Antonio is strong, stable, and here to stay. CASA programs in Texas are strong, independent, and fully committed to children in foster care. While we’re aware of the situation with National CASA/GAL, it doesn’t impact the critical advocacy happening here. Our commitment is clear: we will stand with the children we serve—until they are safe, their voices are heard, and their futures are secure. Our focus, as always, is on advocating for the best interests of children and ensuring they have a voice in court. Public support at all levels, including individuals, ensures we remain strong, regardless of national developments. No matter what, our mission stays the same – every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and have their voice heard. CASA’s mission is as important as ever— children in foster care need advocates who will stand by them. Start your Advocate Journey today!

April Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • April 11, 2025
Brittany Coppage
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