The Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth, and Families was created November 20, 2007. In 2010, when the founder of the Commission, Justice Harriet O’Neill, retired from the Supreme Court, Justice Eva Guzman, Supreme Court of Texas, was appointed. This executive-level assembly is led by judges developing and coordinating efforts to… Read more »
Hispanic/Latino children make up over one-third of the state’s foster care population, although they comprise only 22% of Texas’ overall child population. These children are suddenly taken from their homes because of maltreatment, and, in many instances, thrust into a new foster home environment that is completely dissimilar to the community they are accustomed to…. Read more »
Many children in foster care in our county are in desperate need of help and understanding. When a child enters the foster care system because his or her home is no longer safe, a judge appoints a committed volunteer to advocate for the child in court and other settings. That kind and caring person is… Read more »
Do you have room in your heart to help a child in dire need of a safe and loving family? You can be one of the only constant, familiar adults in a foster child’s life, and you will be his or her staunchest ally and advocate. Who are we? CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA… Read more »
There are many misconceptions among potential parents regarding adopting a child from foster care. The truth in most instances is quite different from initial views and opinions. Examining some of these misconceptions should help to alleviate questions and concerns. One of our challenges is getting this information out to a wider audience. Once you have… Read more »
Growing up, most of us are taught that it is polite and correct to help others, including family members, neighbors and community members in need. In the Hispanic society, family or group needs take precedence over the needs of the individual. Latinos tend to be highly group-focused. Emphasis is placed primarily on family as the… Read more »
Every day in this country, 1,900 CHILDREN are victims of abuse or neglect. Four of them will die. How can you do something to help? Become a CASA Volunteer. What is a CASA? It stands for “Court Appointed Special Advocate”. What does it take to become a CASA Advocate? First and foremost, CASA volunteers need… Read more »
My cousin Martha died this morning. Here’s the thing. A couple of days ago, Martha’s mom—my aunt—learned that she was in the hospital in Florida. Aunt Mary Lou is 83, has always been a bit on the ditzy side, doesn’t own a credit card, hasn’t driven in years, and regularly gets lost in Walgreens. My… Read more »
British psychologist John Bowlby, the first attachment theorist, described attachment as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.” Some of the earliest behavioral theories held that attachment was simply a learned behavior based on feeding of the infant. Bowlby observed that even feedings did not diminish the anxiety children separated from their primary caregivers experienced…. Read more »
A 2012 Report of the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence stated that violence, crime, abuse or psychological trauma will affect 46 million children in this country this year. Children in foster care are more likely to have been exposed to multiple forms of traumatic experiences, such as physical or sexual… Read more »
