The first thing I learned at the CASA Texas luncheon on Monday: The statewide group advocates for children in the foster care system while guiding the local groups of court-appointed special advocates for those kids. There are 69 local chapters serving 206 Texas counties.
Why not the other 48? The public-private partnership requires active links with local judges and, anyway, the vast majority of the cases are in the big urban counties.
Courtney Jones and Sonia Kotecha
Who shows up for such a benefit luncheon? Lots of legislators and judges. Also staff and volunteers from local CASA groups. This is a good time for such a gathering at the Sheraton Hotel near the Texas Capitol. The Senate and the House of Representatives are now in session and decisions about funding such essential services is at hand.
John Holmes and Jennifer Wuamett
One of three honorees, State Sen. Jane Nelson of Fort Worth, said: “If I were queen I’d pass a bill that every child in Texas has someone to watch out for them.”
Sen. Jane Nelson and Andrea Sparks
Another honoree, Rep. John Otto of Dayton said: “This is the best public-private partnership I know of.”