Texas CASA FY 2014 Annual Report

channeling funds
Administered $14 million in state and federal
grant funds to local CASA programs
Funds passed through Texas CASA covered
approximately 50% of the local CASA programs’
annual expenses
• We provided oversight for the awarding and reporting of the
Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) Growth Fund contracts.
• We secured Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding to reimburse
programs for the new fingerprint-based background checks.
• Because we closely monitored funding, only 1% of VOCA (federal)
and CVC (state) funds awarded went unexpended in 2014.
applauding CASA
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Michael Piraino,
National CASA CEO
Texas CASA has grown exponentially since its
founding. Four words, to me, account for the
organization’s success: professionalism, collaboration,
focus and vision. But the greatest of these is vision.
Texas CASA’s vision, a CASA volunteer for every child,
is at the heart of every conversation and behind
every activity.
The record of Texas CASA’s 25 years of achievement,
however, adds up to so much more than the
number of children served. Texas CASA is creating
communities that truly care for and protect the most
vulnerable children with the highest quality advocacy
possible. A robust range of training
and quality assurance resources,
effective legislative practices, highly
visible public policy advocacy and a
knowledgeable and responsive staff
are the kinds of well-designed
practices that have helped CASA
programs in the state and in the nation
move toward powerful advocacy for all
the kids in the child welfare system.
When we collaborate effectively,
we bring the full knowledge of our
collective voices to bear on behalf
of the children. Whether in the halls
of the U.S. Congress or the Texas
legislature, whether in front of judges
or in front of funders—our collective
voice is powerful. In the next 25
years, I see our organizations working
closely so that the nation understands
that CASA is the biggest and best
volunteer advocacy movement for
abused and neglected children. I look
into the future and imagine a growth
curve that rises to meet the full need
and then declines because, due to
our joint advocacy, fewer and fewer
children need to be removed from their
homes due to maltreatment.
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