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Twenty-five years of powerful advocacy for abused and neglected children. That’s the milestone that CASA of Travis County commemorated in 2010. We’re grateful for the hundreds and hundreds of CASA volunteers who have been a part of these last 25 years and proud of the work they’ve done for children, but we are also sad to know that our services are still needed – now more than ever. In the waning months of 2010, we saw dramatic increases in the number of children coming into the foster care system here in Austin. This increase in cases of abuse and neglect is a troubling trend to be sure. The silver lining, as we close our silver anniversary year, is that this community rose to the occasion in unprecedented numbers to speak up for children and provide powerful advocacy in the courts and in our community to help children build a brighter future.
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Lillian loves animals, travel, drawing, singing, eating adventurously and learning about different cultures.
Jeanne is a law librarian who enjoys swimming, walking, reading, and similar to Lillian, animals, travel and eating adventurously. Jeanne is Lillian’s CASA volunteer, though when you spend time with them, they seem like family.
When Lillian was 9, she and her older sister had to leave their home because their parents’ addiction to drugs and untreated mental health issues had made it unsafe. That was when Lillian met Jeanne. Over the next 5 years, Lillian lived in 9 different places—and almost never with her sister—yet Jeanne kept up with her every step of the way. As Lillian’s CASA volunteer, Jeanne worked hard to make sure the judge making decisions about where Lillian lived always had as much information as possible. School projects, birthdays, doctor’s visits, likes and dislikes, all of that and more was Jeanne’s job to know about. Nobody else was so focused on this little girl.
Topping Lillian’s wish list was to see her sister and to become a veterinarian when she grew up. Jeanne made sure Lillian could visit with her sister on the phone and drove them to see each other. Lillian has many fond memories of days at the Austin Children’s Museum or at Zilker Park with her sister that she wouldn’t have had without Jeanne.
“Jeanne knows me better than anyone,” Lillian says. Jeanne understands what Lillian wants in life, her relationship with her family, her friends, her strengths and her weaknesses. As Lillian prepared to graduate from high school, Jeanne helped with college applications and internships to make Lillian’s dream of caring for animals come true.
Next fall, Lillian will start college studying pre-veterinary science. Recently, Jeanne took her to campus for a visit. During the tour, a student referred to “all the moms out there worried about their kids going off to college next year,” and Lillian and Jeanne exchanged knowing smiles. Their relationship, while not typical, is as strong a bond as any parent and child.
Not every CASA volunteer stands by a child’s side for nine years—but every CASA volunteer gives a child a voice when no one else can.
Visit bit.ly/lillianvid right now to see Lillian and Jeanne’s success story, or scan this QR code with your Smartphone barcode scanner to watch on your phone.
You change children’s lives... 1,291 last year alone!
Here’s one success story that you made happen.
1985 - On March 16, volunteers Jane Piper and Winnie Gage, along with Judge Joe Hart, and our first executive director, Sandra A. Martin, file Articles of Incorporation to create CASA of Travis County. In our first year we trained 43 volunteers!
- The Junior League of Austin votes to grant the brand-new CASA $35,090, our very first funding.
1989 - The American Bar Association officially endorses the use of CASA volunteers to work with attorneys to speak for abused or neglected children in court.
1990 - U.S. Congress passes the Victims of Child Abuse Act, authorizing that “a court-appointed special advocate shall be available to every victim of child abuse or neglect in the United States that needs such an advocate.”
1991- In our first 7 years, we provide advocacy for a grand total of 668 children!
1992- Casas for CASA Playhouse Raffle features architect-designed children’s playhouses displayed at local malls to raise funds.
1994- CASA throws its first fundraising gala, CASAblanca, complete with camels fitting a Moroccan theme.
1996- U.S. Congress approves amendments to the Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act, for the first time recognizing the value of volunteer representation for children.
1997- The Texas Legislature amends the Family Code to provide that courts may appoint CASA volunteers as the guardian ad litem for children in foster care.
1998- University of Texas Center for Social Work Research assesses the impact of CASA of Travis County on the local child welfare system, finding that children with a CASA volunteer averaged fewer foster placements than children without.
2000- Dr. Robert D. Lively, newspaper columnist and teacher at Riverbend Church, shares CASA stories through his monthly newsletter to volunteers and supporters.
2001- CASA advocates for 870 children (nearly 50% of children in the Travis County CPS court system).
2005 - National CASA names our executive director Karen Cox as Kappa Alpha Theta Program Director of the Year.
2006- Longtime CASA board member and friend Denise Conway is elected to the Board of Directors for National CASA.
2008- Travis County Family Drug Treatment Court, of which CASA is an integral part, accepts its first case.
- The Travis County child protection courts are named a Model Court by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges; CASA becomes a part of the Executive Committee of the Model Court.
- U.S. Congress passes the Fostering Connections Act, benefitting children and families involved in the foster care system.
2009- CASA launches our Transitioning Youth program, to assist youth at risk of aging out of the foster care system prepare for successful, independent adulthood.
- CASA participates in the “Raise Me Up” Campaign of Casey Family Programs, encouraging the community to get involved in helping children in foster care.
- CASA sees a 61% increase over 2008 in the number of new volunteers completing training and taking their first cases.
2010- CASA creates the Community Outreach Liaison staff position to coordinate our work creating a diverse and inclusive organization, recruiting and training a diverse and culturally-competent pool of volunteers and contributing to the community’s efforts to eliminate disproportionality in the child welfare system.
- CASA advocates for nearly 1,300 children – 80% of children in the local child welfare system – thanks to nearly 500 volunteers! 25
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n 1985
1992
19961998
2006
20082009
2010
- CASA served 1,291 children - 80% of the total number of children in the care of Child Protective Services.
- Judges appointed CASA to cases for 672 new children.
- Of the 1,291 children, 1,020 (or 79%) had a volunteer/staff pair on their case; the rest were helped by a CASA staff member.
- 48% of volunteers who closed a case in 2009 committed to a new case in 2010.
- CASA supported 497 volunteers assigned to cases and working with children.
- 153 new volunteers completed training.
- CASA helped close cases for 408 children.
- 85% of these cases closed in a permanent placement for the child, including reuniting with parents, adoption or a permanent living arrangement with a safe family or relative.
$100,000+Michael & Susan Dell FoundationUnited Way Capital Area
$50,000 - $99,999Dell FoundationImpact AustinWe Will Not Forget SAJE, Inc.
$10,000 - $49,999Anonymous3MAustin Community FoundationThe Cipione Family FoundationConway & Associates, Inc.Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.The Junior League of AustinKasling, Hemphill, Dolezal & Atwell, L.L.P.Lowe FoundationNFL Alumni, Inc.Carolyn & Tom NicewarnerShield-Ayres FoundationTexas Bar FoundationTexas Center for the JudiciaryTopfer Family FoundationLaura Wolf & Fred Aus
$5,000 - $9,999Bank of America FoundationBoon Insurance Management Services, L.P.Brown McCarroll, L.L.P.Yolanda & Chris ConyersDell, Inc.Halex International, Inc.Joan & David HilgersKappa Alpha Theta - UT ChapterGerri & Peter KapplerMary & Bill LaRosaLola Wright FoundationKaren & George MansonKennedy & John NeffNordstromKatherine Wright & William Burdick
$1,000 - $4,999Anonymous (2)David Allen, Jr.Kathleen & David AllenAllen Financial ServicesJacquelyn AmermanAmanda AndraeLillian ArniellaMeredith & James BaganRebecca & Steven BakerBalcones Country ClubMavis & Shawn BallBBVA CompassJanet & Kevin BellHenry F. BenedictJason BerkowitzBethany United Methodist ChurchBimbo BakeriesJessica & John BloodBlue Cross Blue Shield of TexasBroadcast Marketing and Entertainment, L.L.C.Gail & James CaldwellCatherine & Nicholas CamilloneLaura & Robert CampbellLorry & Rollie CarlsonSpring & Orlando CastilloRhonda & Christopher ChandlerBonita Griffith & David Chasis
Clark Mente Architects, Inc.Coca-Cola RefreshmentsConcept ServicesConocoPhillips CompanyJamie & James CottonMark DallmanKevin DalyJason E. DeesRuth & Patrick DoaneKyra & Trey DolezalKelli Donelson & Ryan AgnellThe Dorset Foundation, Inc.Rosemary & Russell DouglassElectric Transmission TexasSharmae EricksonIla & John FalveyHank FarrellMeg & Rod FavaronSuzanne L. ForrestSteven R. FoyFreescale SemiconductorLynn & Jim FrenchAmie FrickelFrost National BankFulcrum Capital HoldingsJennifer & Jason GalbraithColleen & Rick GardnerTerrell GatesSamuel R. GeorgesonGive Realty, Inc.Sonia & Vikram GroverGail & Harold HamiltonTracy & Matthew HamiltonDawn Mallory & Chris D. HarkriderDusten HarrisonCorey HartKara & Jay HartzellLoretta & Richard HesslerDebbie & Bryan HolleyJamail & Smith ConstructionJourneyman ConstructionDana & Kemp KaslingWilliam KerrKey Bar, Ltd.Debbie & Chick KobelanSavan KotechaKathy F. LaneLCRA Employees’ United CharitiesJill & Kirk LewisLisa & Todd LewisJoyce & David LindseySarah & Rick LocontoWanda & Pat LocontoTeresa & Joe LongLaura & John MalnarTerrie L. MancillMeador & Jones, L.L.P.Mary & Lynn MoakMissy & N.D. MoscoeMary K. Wolf & Ron H. MossSheri & Russ MunschRonnie T. MyersErin & Steve NelsonJ. Ted OakleyMark OlschefskieMissy & Robert PeoplesPfizer FoundationJane & James PiperKari & Lee PottsPrudential FoundationTimi & Phillip Quici
Walter P. ReepCynthia RennaKey & Hank RichardsonMartin RiezebeekRoger Beasley MazdaMelissa & David RubinPamela & Leonard RussoJoyce & John SampsonShannon ScottSerendipity GiftsBeverly ShowersSusan & Dale SpiveySt. Thomas More Catholic ChurchSt. Vincent de Paul Catholic ChurchteleNetwork Partners, Ltd.Pam & David TerresonSteven ThompsonUnited Heritage Credit UnionSarah & Andy ValenzuelaSharon & Curt WebbWells Fargo BankKerry L. WigginsJon WilliamsWinstead, P.C.Yetter Coleman, L.L.P.Deborah B. ZimmermanMargaret & Byron Zinn
In 2010, these donors gave substantial gifts of products or services:
360 Press SolutionsAustin American-StatesmanAustin Christian FellowshipBethany United Methodist ChurchBOB FMBrown Distributing Co. Inc.Camp Balcones SpringsCatapult Systems, Inc.Denise & Jerry ConwayCarol & Ken DavidsonThe DomainRosemary & Russell DouglassEndeavor Real Estate GroupFour Seasons Hotel AustinFOX 7 AustinColleen & Rick GardnerHalex International, Inc.The Hills of Lakeway Golf & Country ClubHorseshoe Bay ResortKasling, Hemphill, Dolezal & Atwell, L.L.P.King FloristKLRU-TVKathy & Robert LangfordN.D. Moscoe, M.D., F.A.C.S., Cosmetic & Plastic SurgeryQuality SeafoodQuik PrintRazorfishRiverbend ChurchRogue EquipmentStrong EventsMelissa & Joseph WoskowYellow Cab Austin
CASA of Travis County7701 N Lamar Blvd, Ste 301Austin, TX 78752
Highlights of 2010
Twenty-five years of powerful advocacy for abused and neglected children.
That’s the milestone that CASA of Travis County commemorated in 2010. We’re grateful for the hundreds and hundreds of CASA volunteers who have been a part of these last 25 years and proud of the work they’ve done for children, but we are also sad to know that our services are still needed – now more than ever. In the waning months of 2010, we saw dramatic increases in the number of children coming into the foster care system here in Austin. This increase in cases of abuse and neglect is a troubling trend to be sure. The
silver lining, as we close our silver anniversary year, is that this community rose to the occasion in unprecedented numbers to speak up for children and provide powerful advocacy in the courts and in our community to help children build a brighter future.
You are a part of the last 25 years of child advocacy by CASA of Travis County. We need your continued support as we move into the next 25 years. By the end of 2010, we were advocating for approximately 80% of the children in the system here – or 4 out of 5 – but our vision is to have a trained CASA volunteer to speak up for every child who needs us. I urge you to renew your passion for this powerful work. Become a CASA volunteer, support CASA, encourage others. A child needs your voice. Remember, when children can’t speak for themselves, CASA can. For the last 25 years and the next 25 years.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Laura D. WolfExecutive Director
2010 By the Numbers Donors
www.casatravis.org 512.459.2272
Revenue & Community Support
Government Grants$915,199 - 42%Foundation Grants$625,194 - 28%Fundraising Events$357,015 - 16%
United Way/Workplace Giving$172,447 - 8% Individual/Corporate Contributions$126,614 - 6%Other $11,243 - Less than 1%
Total Revenue: $2,207,712
43% Hispanic
28% African-American
17% Caucasian
7% Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial
5% Other/Not Specified
45% Reunified with parents
22% Adopted by non-relative
18% Adopted by or live with relative
10% Aged out of system
5% Other**Includes courtesy work from other CASA programs, Cases dismissed, Other outcomes
Program Services: $1,534,046 - 81%
Fundraising: $235,139 - 12%
Administration: $124,848 - 7%
Expenses
Total Expenses: $1,894,033
Fiscal Report
Child Race and Ethnicity AnonymousLissa Adams
Mavis & Shawn BallJessica & Jimmy
BlacklockLorry & Rollie Carlson
Spring & Orlando CastilloBonita Griffith &
David ChasisDenise & Jerry Conway
Jamie & Jimbo CottonKelli J. Donelson
Kara & Jay HartzellDebbie & Bryan Holley
Elizabeth HummerDebbie & Chick
KobelanJill & Kirk Lewis
Lisa & Todd LewisJoyce & David Lindsey
Margarate & Jack Murray
Carolyn & Tom Nicewarner
Patricia & Robert OttoKari & Lee Potts
Key & Hank RichardsonMelissa & David RubinDebra & Joseph SlapakLaura Wolf & Fred Aus
Powerful Voice Giving SocietyAs of December 31, 2010, these donors are helping to ensure our long-term sustainability by pledging a substantial, multi-year gift:
- Advocated for more children and supported more volunteersNearly 1,300 children who had been abused or neglected received advocacy from a trained CASA volunteer or staff member. That’s more children than ever and a 17% increase over 2009! About 500 committed volunteers – also a record number – provided a voice for children.
- Fostered relationships in diverse communities and built cultural competency CASA committed to providing the best advocacy for children by increasing the diversity of CASA volunteers and equipping volunteers and staff with skills and resources to work with children and families from diverse backgrounds. We dedicated resources to fostering new relationships and expanding our visibility within the African-American and Hispanic/Latino communities. In turn, we saw a steady increase in the diversity of volunteers. Cultural competency trainings like “Knowing Who You Are” and “Race-The Power of an Illusion” better prepared CASA volunteers and staff to work with diverse families and deepened understanding of racial/ethnic disparities and the disproportionate number of children of color in the child welfare system.
- Served as a statewide and national model for other CASA programs National CASA invited Executive Director Laura Wolf and Community Outreach Liaison Sonia Kotecha to present at their annual conference on our work on disproportionality, diversity and inclusiveness. At the Texas CASA conference, our Transitioning Youth team, Foster Youth Alumni Panel and volunteers presented their work with teens aging out of the foster care system to dozens of CASA staff and volunteers from around the state, and Communications Manager Callie Langford presented on social media to CASA programs building their online presence.
- Increased CASA’s visibility in our communityMore people than ever know about CASA, thanks to two special gifts. First, National CASA funded a volunteer recruitment campaign featuring our diverse volunteers on billboards, radio, TV, social media and more. Then, global digital marketing firm Razorfish donated a 6-month digital campaign, creating the tagline “When children can’t speak for themselves, CASA can,” that was broadcast nationwide via 72 million donated website banner ad impressions.
- Formed new and successful partnership with The Superhero FoundationWhen The Superhero Foundation invited us to join this growing national movement to fight child abuse, we leapt! With a powerful new theme – “Every child needs a hero, but abused children need superheroes” – our 2010 CASA Superhero Run grew by 57% with 1,100 runners (or, rather, Superheroes) who came in costume to show their support for our kids.
2010 Board of Directors: President - David Rubin, Lissa Adams, Shawn Ball, Jessica Blacklock, Orlando Castillo, David Chasis, Denise Conway, Jamie Cotton, Matt Hamilton,
Albert Hawkins, Debbie Holley, G Herver, Kemp Kasling, April Kubik, Kirk Lewis, Todd Lewis, Joyce Lindsey, Laura Malnar, Erin Nelson, Lee E. Potts, Andy Valenzuela
Mission: CASA of Travis County exists to promote and protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected, by training volunteers to advocate for them in courts, in schools
and in our community to help them find safe, permanent and loving homes.
Vision: For every child who needs us, CASA of Travis County envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home and a promising future.
CASA of Travis County is a member of Texas CASA and the National CASA Association.
C A S A O F T R AV I S C O U N T Y, I N C .
C A S A O F T R AV I S C O U N T Y, I N C .
Supported by A Project of
25CASA of Travis County 2010 Annual Report
A Powerful Voice in a Child’s Life - 25 Years Strong
Other
Individuals
United Way/Workplace Giving
Special Events Fundraising
Foundation Awards
Government Grants
2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)
9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)
3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs
6% Child Aged out of System
8% Permanency with Relative
35% Family Reunification
37% Adoptive Placement
Other
Individuals
United Way/Workplace Giving
Special Events Fundraising
Foundation Awards
Government Grants
2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)
9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)
3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs
6% Child Aged out of System
8% Permanency with Relative
35% Family Reunification
37% Adoptive Placement
Other
Individuals
United Way/Workplace Giving
Special Events Fundraising
Foundation Awards
Government Grants
2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)
9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)
3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs
6% Child Aged out of System
8% Permanency with Relative
35% Family Reunification
37% Adoptive Placement
Child Case Closure Reasons
Other
Individuals
United Way/Workplace Giving
Special Events Fundraising
Foundation Awards
Government Grants
2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)
9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)
3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs
6% Child Aged out of System
8% Permanency with Relative
35% Family Reunification
37% Adoptive Placement
Other
Individuals
United Way/Workplace Giving
Special Events Fundraising
Foundation Awards
Government Grants
2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)
9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)
3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs
6% Child Aged out of System
8% Permanency with Relative
35% Family Reunification
37% Adoptive Placement
Other
Individuals
United Way/Workplace Giving
Special Events Fundraising
Foundation Awards
Government Grants
2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)
9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)
3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs
6% Child Aged out of System
8% Permanency with Relative
35% Family Reunification
37% Adoptive Placement
Other
Individuals
United Way/Workplace Giving
Special Events Fundraising
Foundation Awards
Government Grants
2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)
9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)
3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs
6% Child Aged out of System
8% Permanency with Relative
35% Family Reunification
37% Adoptive Placement
Administration
Fundraising
Program
2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)
9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)
3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs
6% Child Aged out of System
8% Permanency with Relative
35% Family Reunification
37% Adoptive Placement
To commemorate our 25th anniversary, the 2010 CASAblanca Gala honored those who started and have sustained CASA of Travis County:
• Denise Conway, Longest-Serving Board Member • Rebel Pais, Longest-Serving Volunteer • Judge Joseph H. Hart, CASA of Travis County Founder• Winnie Gage, CASA of Travis County Founder• Jane Piper, CASA of Travis County Founder• Sandra Martin, First Executive Director• The Junior League of Austin, For providing the first three years of
funding for CASA of Travis County
If you feel you’ve been left off this list or we misspelled your name, please accept our apologies and kindly let us know so we can properly thank you.
In 2010, volunteers donated an estimated 39,760 hours valued at approximately $828,996.
Other
Individuals
United Way/Workplace Giving
Special Events Fundraising
Foundation Awards
Government Grants
2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)
9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)
3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs
6% Child Aged out of System
8% Permanency with Relative
35% Family Reunification
37% Adoptive Placement
