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

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
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