News Release: 4/29/2025

For Immediate Release
05/01/2025
Contact:                                                                                                                               
Valerie, Lancaster, Director of Development
Phone (512)293-7869
Email Valerie.lancaster@casabfl.org
 
 
CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties Observes National Foster Care Month
Bastrop, Texas – Each May, National Foster Care Month, we take the time to raise awareness of the children and families involved in the foster care system and the need for more people to step up to support them.
Last year, there were 28,008 children in the Texas foster care system, 108 of whom were right here in Bastrop County.
“There are 108 children in foster care right here in our communities, in our neighborhoods,” said Kristi Bauer, executive director of CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties. “They need support from their community.”
Children go into the foster care system when their family is in crisis. There is a common misconception that once these children are in foster care they’re safe and no further help for them is needed. This could not be further from the truth, Bauer said. Foster care is important for protecting children temporarily. It is not, however, meant to be a permanent solution.
“We’re grateful to the many wonderful foster families who open their homes to children in our community. What some people don’t understand, however, is that too often, these children have been taken away from everything and everyone they know,” Bauer said. “Research shows that kids do better when they can stay connected with their family and community, and kids in foster care are no exception.”
This is where CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, from CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties come into play.
CASA volunteers are specially trained and appointed by judges to advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in the foster care system. They advocate for the child in court, school and other settings; and get to know everyone involved in the child’s life, including their parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, family members and others.
CASA volunteers advocate first and foremost for these children to be reunified with their parents whenever safe and possible. In fact, a core part of their role is to help create and strengthen a lifetime network of relatives, family friends and other committed adults who can support the child and their parents during their involvement with foster care and beyond – increasing the likelihood for reunification.
When reunification is not an option, they advocate for the child to live with another relative or family friend. They can also advocate for the child to be placed in a loving adoptive home. In all cases, CASA volunteers are steadfast, consistent presences for the children they serve, making sure they are safe and have the resources and connections they need to grow and thrive.
CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties is always seeking more community members to become CASA volunteers and support these children and their families.
“Children in foster care need a dedicated advocate,” Bauer said. “They need someone on their side, who can help them feel safe and connected. We hope you’ll consider joining the CASA movement.”
For more information on becoming a CASA volunteer and other ways you can get involved, visit casabfl.org and/or www.BecomeACASA.org. The next volunteer training session will be in September.