By Jenn Engel, CASA Case Supervisor and Collaborative Family Engagement Lead Facilitator This is a crucial time to identify and maintain positive connections through Collaborative Family Engagement for our CASA children under CPS Care. Due to COVID-19, CASA Advocates and CASA staff have had to make several adjustments in Advocating for children in foster care… Read more »
By Linda Chilcoat, CASA Case Supervisor and Education Team Lead The Texas Education Agency has provided all school districts in the state of Texas with some general guidelines for opening schools. Much leeway has been given to local districts in beginning the school year based on their county health guidelines. Here is the link for… Read more »
I know because I had one. By Ann McAlpin | Executive Director, CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County When we were little, my dad danced me on his shoes. He took me to the pool every Sunday and cheered when I swam a lap or did an underwater somersault. He taught me how to hold… Read more »
At the start Twins, Kaylee and Keisha, entered this world testing positive for drugs. Along with their older brother, Kaleb, the three spent their early years raised by their grandmother as their young parents continued to use drugs and make decisions that would put the siblings in danger. As the children grew older, the twins… Read more »
By Ann McAlpin, Executive Director | CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County I wrote this letter before this pandemic, but I wanted to share it with you on this day dedicated to celebrating mothers. Because every child deserves to be loved the way my Aunt Mary Lou loved her daughter, Martha. I grew up playing… Read more »
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are… Read more »
Guest post by Susan and Andy Truscott We all want to help. Here’s how Susan and Andy Look at things. My name is Susan, and I am a Child Advocate, a Case Supervisor, focused upon providing compassion and strength to those children of Montgomery County who have found themselves in foster care, through no fault… Read more »
By Ann McAlpin, Executive Director | CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County In this time that is marked, even named, with isolation, I am finding surprising connections. Taking an unusual moment to thank the kid checking out my groceries (sadly, no toilet paper!) for working—and him making eye contact with genuine gratitude. A church service… Read more »
By Ann Marie Ronsman As Advocates, we work with families who are struggling mightily on a daily basis. In training, we work hard to help Advocates understand the reality of the families we serve. Prior to COVID-19, we may have thought that the families with whom we work couldn’t manage one more stress or complication…. Read more »
Although our physical office is closed at this time in compliance with the Stay at Home | Stop the Spread order issued by Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough on March 27, 2020 (extended and in effect through April 30, 2020) our staff is working remotely at this time to support the 300+ volunteers serving 800+… Read more »
