In this episode, we’re honored to be joined by Ellen DaSilva — entrepreneur, children’s health advocate and founder of Summer Health, an innovative company providing 24/7 text-based pediatric care for families. Ellen shares the powerful vision behind Summer Health, her insights into the barriers children and caregivers face in accessing timely healthcare and practical advice for CASA volunteers striving to ensure the children they serve receive the medical and mental health support they need. We also highlight resources, including our Health Advocacy Guide for CASA Volunteers, to equip advocates with tools for effective medical advocacy.

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In this episode, we sit down with the deeply inspiring Shelton Pellum who shares his lived experience in foster care — what it was like to navigate the system, the challenges he encountered and the powerful strengths he cultivated along the way. Together, we talk about why youth voice matters in decision-making, what true belonging and connectedness mean for youth in care and how advocates can be strong supporters of academic success. Tune in for Shelly's powerful insights into what young people need most from the adults who walk alongside them.

To learn more about and support Shelly's wonderful work with the THRU Project, please visit their website. 

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In this episode, we explore the role of mediation in child welfare cases — what it is, how the process works and why it can be such a powerful tool for finding solutions that serve children’s best interests. Long-time mediator Michele Morgan walks us through when and why a case might go to mediation, who participates and what CASA volunteers can expect throughout the process. Tune in for practical tips for preparing effectively, approaching mediation with an open mindset and meeting challenges with creativity and collaboration.

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In this episode, we're thrilled to be in conversation with Dr. Jared Williams and Stephen Fowler from Family Service Center, an organization that provides counseling, parenting education, and prevention services to families in Southeast Texas communities. Our discussion dives into some of the biggest challenges facing families and explores insights from FSC's Fatherhood Program on engaging with fathers in our advocacy. 

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In this episode, we sit down with two incredible advocates, Sarah Crocket and Stephanie Battaglia, to dive into Texas CASA's legislative priorities for the 89th legislative session kicking off on January 14th, 2025. Sarah and Stephanie walk us through the process of identifying key priorities, share what’s on the docket for the upcoming session, and discuss how CASA volunteers can get involved in systems-level advocacy to support these efforts. They also highlight the crucial connection between legislative advocacy and the direct support CASA volunteers provide to children and families. Tune in to learn how you can help make a difference at both the grassroots and policy levels in this upcoming session. 

To receive the public policy e-newsletter, please email [email protected]. To join the Texas CASA LAT Facebook page, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/TXCASALATS. 

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In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome the wonderful Heather Cantamessa, Director of Family Impact at Akin. Heather draws on her work with the transformative Parents for Parents program, a model of peer support that empowers families involved with Child Protective Services, and discusses the vital role CASA advocates can play in facilitating communication and collaboration between parents and other parties in the system. 

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In this episode, we're delighted to dive into an impactful study co-led by Dr. Heather Fox, Dr. Cady Landa and a team of colleagues exploring kinship guardianship for children and youth in foster care. This research offers insights on the benefits and challenges of kinship guardianship (sometimes called PMC to a relative) as well as ways advocates can strive to support kinship caregivers. Dr. Fox and Dr. Landa also discuss disparities in permanency timelines and outcomes, offering important recommendations for ensuring CASA volunteers can provide the highest quality advocacy for all children and families we walk alongside.

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Access to adequate, affordable childcare can be a major challenge for working families across Texas. Joining us today is the wonderful Gabrielle Cloudy, Daycare Coordinator at the Department of Family and Protective Services, to shine a light on the Department's daycare program and what CASA volunteers can do to help facilitate access to childcare for families involved with DFPS. 

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In this episode, we’re thrilled to be in conversation with Dr. Heather Taussig, the developer and director of the Fostering Healthy Futures (FHF) program. Dr. Taussig gives us an insightful glimpse into this evidence-based mentoring and skill-building program created for pre-teen and teenage youth with child welfare involvement. Tune in as we explore the positive impacts of the Fostering Healthy Futures program and the lessons it offers for supporting and empowering youth, including some wonderful ideas around preparing for healthy goodbyes with children and youth. 

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In this episode, we're honored to be conversation with Dr. Heather Fox and Dr. Robin LaSota discussing their research on supporting youth in cross-racial out of home placements. Their work seeks to shine light on the challenges that Black youth in particular face in cross-racial placements as well as how a youth's caregivers, family, and advocates can collaborate to help support healthy cultural and identity development for youth in out of home care. You can learn more about Dr. Fox and Dr. LaSota's work here. 

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