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.

Story of Hope: Brennan Holland

By bfines • February 13, 2025
Brennan Holland was assigned to Sarah in December 2022. Sarah entered foster care with a history of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, yet she remains incredibly resilient. Throughout her time in care, she has experienced multiple placements. Brennan quickly learned that Sarah has a strong passion for neuroscience and dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon. Determined to pursue her goal, she graduated early from high school and is now enrolled in the College Bound Docket program, attending her school of choice—UTSA. However, the path to achieving her dream has not been without challenges.\ Sarah received a discharge notice from her current placement and was denied Supervised Independent Living (SIL) until she turned 18. It felt as though no one was giving her a real chance. CASA stepped in to advocate for Sarah’s independence, pushing for her to live in a dorm on her own. Not everyone on her team supported this idea due to concerns about her age, limited independent living experience, and fears that she might run away, be influenced by older peers, or engage in risky behavior. CASA, however, continued to stand by Sarah, even offering financial assistance to help her move into a dorm until she became eligible for SIL.  At Sarah’s next court hearing on January 24, 2025, her attorney ad litem filed a motion for her to live in a dorm at UTSA. CASA once again advocated for the court to approve this plan. The judge, quoting Brennan’s court report, stated, “Brennan said it correctly: You are going to succeed or fail based on your decisions.” Ultimately, the judge authorized Sarah to live in the dorms on campus and ordered CPS to cover the cost of SIL. CASA recently assisted Sarah in moving into her very first dorm room, and we are excited to see what the future holds for her. Since being placed on campus, she has built a strong network of supportive adults to help her thrive. The impact of CASA facilitating these vital connections is crucial in ensuring that young adults like Sarah have the support they need to successfully transition into adulthood.

February Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • February 13, 2025
Emily White
Show More
Share by: