September Advocacy Tip

Every month CASA publishes an "Advocacy Tip" to give Advocates the chance to earn 1 Hour of Ongoing Training Credit. Take the quiz at the bottom to earn your credit!

Educational Advocacy


As summer break comes to an end and the focus shifts to returning to school with buying new clothes, getting school supplies, and catching up with school friends, it’s natural for kids to get excited for the start of a new year. While children in foster care might also feel the excitement, there is a high probability that returning to school could be met with anxiety, which is very understandable. Part of an advocate’s role is to assist in this transition and to advocate to ensure the child’s educational needs are met.


The CASA advocate has the right to review a child’s educational data, communicate with school staff, and attend educational meetings. In your advocacy role, be proactive by building a strong positive rapport with the child’s school.   Below are some ways to help foster a positive relationship:

·       Contact the school (school counselor, teacher, principal).

·       Send an introductory email to introduce oneself and to explain CASA’s role in the child’s education.

·       Schedule a time to visit the school and meet with the teacher and with other school staff to meet in person and possibly visit with the child.

·       Provide a copy of the Court Order and a copy of your CASA badge. 

·       Visit the school and meet with teacher and any other staff member that is involved in the child’s education. Restate your role and offer how you can support the child in their education. 

·       Advise that you would like to attend all educational meetings such as 504s and ARD’s.

·       Communicate any behavioral triggers that would help the staff best know how to address the child to provide the best outcome.

·       Maintain ongoing contact with school staff and report any concerns that you might have.

Regular contact with school personnel is important to ensure the child is progressing in their academics and if concerns arise then these can be addressed as needed.


Advocates are very important members of the child’s educational team. Some caregivers may be kinship family members that have not been involved in the school system for years and some foster parents may not have experience in working with the school system. CASA advocates can guide these individuals within the system and help ensure that all the child’s needs are being met while in care.

Advocacy Tip Quiz

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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