CASA volunteer Dawn Brucher has mediated between teens and foster families. Courtesy art

When a child is removed from an unsafe home, they lose more than a place to live. They lose familiar routines, classrooms, friendships and, often, contact with siblings — all in a matter of hours. For thousands of children across North Texas, that upheaval marks the beginning of a long and uncertain journey through the foster care system.

More than 30,000 infants, youth and teens are currently in foster care in Texas. Through no fault of their own, these children have experienced trauma at home, followed by the disruption of being placed elsewhere — often far from parents, siblings, schools and support systems they know.

For many of those children, a Court Appointed Special Advocate — known as a CASA volunteer — becomes the one consistent adult focused solely on their best interests. Volunteers undergo extensive training and background checks before being appointed by a judge and remain involved throughout the case, offering stability in a process often marked by constant change.

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By Whitney Alswede | Special Contributor