Child Advocacy

Child Welfare

When a family is in crisis and becomes involved in the child welfare system in Montgomery County, a judge appoints a committed volunteer from the community to amplify the child’s voice throughout the case. That volunteer is called a Court-Appointed Special Advocate®, or CASA volunteer. Advocates get to know the child and others involved in the child’s life, including parents, other family members, teachers, doctors, attorneys, and caseworkers. Advocates provide valuable information, including recommendations, to the court and others involved in the case to help ensure a child’s best interest is being met. CASA volunteers stay by a child’s side through the duration of the case, advocating first for family reunification when safe and possible.

The issue

There were 65,116 child victims of abuse or neglect in Texas in 202, at a rate of 8.8 children per 1,000.
Of the 65,116 children, 52,650 were first-time victims.
The largest age group of victims was children under one, representing 12,159 of the 65,116 cases.
76% of child maltreatment perpetrators in 202 were parents of the child. 24% were nonparents or had an unknown relationship.
Types of child maltreatment victims in 2020: Neglect – 76%; Physical Abuse – 11%; Sexual Abuse – 9%; Other – 2%.
In 2023, there were 438 children involved in the child welfare system in Montgomery County.
For nine years, every single child (100%) was served by a CASA Advocate in Montgomery County.

Become an advocate

Because our volunteers serve on one case at a time, they truly get to know the child and family and can give each case the sustained, personal attention every child deserves. We invite you to join our family of dedicated volunteers and make a difference in a child’s life—and your own.

For your convenience, Child Advocates offers day and evening classes. Click here for schedule of upcoming training classes.

Want more information or have questions? Attend one of our Chat with Child Advocates events, and you will have the opportunity to join current Advocates and staff for informational conversations about becoming an Advocate. View our calendar for upcoming events.

For more information you can also call or email Lead Outreach Specialist Shellie Tyrrell at (936) 441-5437 or Shellie@ChildAdvocatesTexas.org.

Qualifications

An Advocate must:

Be 21 years of age or older.
Successfully pass screening and background check requirements.
Complete initial training provided by the Child Advocates of Montgomery County program (39 hours of initial training that includes 18 in-person classroom hours and approximately 20 to 21 online/independent reading hours plus 3 hours of courtroom observation).
Complete 12 hours of continuing education annually that is related to the work of advocacy.
Make a 12-month minimum commitment to a child welfare case.
Keep information confidential and work within established program guidelines.
Be computer literate and have access to a computer.