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Child Advocacy
In serving the best interests of children, we serve the best interests of all humanity. — Carol Bellamy
Child Advocates of Montgomery County focuses on three key child advocacy programs: Child Welfare Advocacy, Justice-Involved Youth Advocacy, and Educational Advocacy. The Child Welfare Advocacy program supports children in the child welfare system, ensuring they receive the care and protection they need. The Justice-Involved Youth Advocacy program assists youth involved in the juvenile justice system, addressing their unique challenges and providing necessary support. The Educational Advocacy program, through Student Success Advocates, helps students struggling with school attendance or participation, promoting their academic success and overall well-being.
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Child Welfare
Child Welfare Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are appointed by judges to guide one child or one set of siblings and their family during their involvement in the child welfare system (County Court at Law #3, Presiding Judge Amy Tucker). Child Advocates volunteers research case records and speak to each person involved in a child’s life, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and social workers. They monitor the progress of the child and family throughout the case and advocate for the child’s current and future needs in court, in school, and in agency meetings. Their independent evaluations allow the court to make better-informed decisions.
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Justice-Involved Youth
Justice-Involved Youth (JIY) Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are appointed by judges for Juvenile Court (County Court at Law #6, Presiding Judge Scharlene Valdez) in Montgomery County. JIY volunteers will serve as guardians ad litem for justice-involved youth, advocating for their best interests during formal probation. Advocates will work with the Juvenile Court to ensure that youth and families receive the support and connection to the resources they need to succeed and thrive.
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Educational Advocacy
Student Success Advocates are assigned by the school or engaged by the parents to support youth who are struggling with school attendance or participation. The Advocate will get to know the youth, gather information, connect families to community resources, and make recommendations to the court (Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Judge Wayne L. Mack), if the family is involved in the truancy court system. Information from Advocates helps the Judge and other professionals decide what is in the best interest of each youth and family involved.
Child Welfare Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are appointed by judges to guide one child or one set of siblings and their family during their involvement in the child welfare system (County Court at Law #3, Presiding Judge Amy Tucker). Child Advocates volunteers research case records and speak to each person involved in a child’s life, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and social workers. They monitor the progress of the child and family throughout the case and advocate for the child’s current and future needs in court, in school, and in agency meetings. Their independent evaluations allow the court to make better-informed decisions.
Justice-Involved Youth (JIY) Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are appointed by judges for Juvenile Court (County Court at Law #6, Presiding Judge Scharlene Valdez) in Montgomery County. JIY volunteers will serve as guardians ad litem for justice-involved youth, advocating for their best interests during formal probation. Advocates will work with the Juvenile Court to ensure that youth and families receive the support and connection to the resources they need to succeed and thrive.
Student Success Advocates are assigned by the school or engaged by the parents to support youth who are struggling with school attendance or participation. The Advocate will get to know the youth, gather information, connect families to community resources, and make recommendations to the court (Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Judge Wayne L. Mack), if the family is involved in the truancy court system. Information from Advocates helps the Judge and other professionals decide what is in the best interest of each youth and family involved.