The Children We Serve
CASA of the South Plains recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers who are appointed by judges to advocate for children and youth in foster care across six counties: Cochran, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock, Terry, and Yoakum. Every day in our community, children experience the devastating effects of abuse and neglect. These children are removed from unsafe homes and placed into foster care, often separated from siblings and everything familiar. Many have endured unimaginable trauma, including physical and sexual abuse, medical neglect, and, in some cases, sex trafficking, all leaving lasting scars. They enter a system that is complex and overwhelming, filled with courts, social workers, foster homes, therapists, social service agencies, and state welfare departments. For many, this journey feels isolating and frightening. The trauma these children endure does not end when they leave their homes. They carry the weight of uncertainty, fear, and loss. Frequent moves disrupt their education, friendships, and sense of security. Without consistent support, these experiences can lead to long-term emotional and developmental challenges. Behind every statistic is a child who deserves safety, stability, and hope. This is why the presence of a CASA Volunteer can be life changing.
Our Volunteers
CASA Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, neighborhoods, and communities, reflecting the children they serve. Carefully screened, thoroughly trained, and diligently supported by CASA staff, these volunteers are empowered to advocate for a child’s best interests regarding their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. They remain a consistent presence in the child’s life throughout the case, working to ensure the child’s needs remain a priority in the often-overwhelmed child welfare system. Assigned to one case at a time, CASA Volunteers focus solely on one family, enabling them to provide unmatched dedication to the children, families, and communities they support.
Mission
CASA of the South Plains inspires, educates, and empowers solution-minded community members who are committed to supporting the best interest of children in the foster care system.
Volunteer advocates create connections and promote nurturing relationships for the child and family, encouraging hope and healing.
Through court appointment and collaborative efforts, volunteer advocates share informed recommendations for the wellbeing of the child.
History
In 1977, Seattle Superior Court Judge David Soukup became increasingly concerned about the decisions he had to make in cases involving children in foster care. These children, who had suffered abuse and neglect and been removed from their homes, often lacked adequate representation in court compared to their parents or government agencies. Judge Soukup recognized a heartbreaking truth: he did not have enough information to make fully informed judgments—decisions that would profoundly impact the lives of these children.
From that realization, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) movement was born. The program trained community volunteers to review the circumstances of each child, gather critical information, and provide recommendations to the court in the child's best interests. Today, the CASA program has grown to include 939 programs across 49 states (including 74 in Texas), with more than 79,000 volunteers advocating for over 201,000 children each year.
CASA was established locally in June of 1993 as CASA of Lubbock and in the first year, 23 children were served in Lubbock County, and the first volunteer was trained. Two years later, a grant from Texas’ Office of the Governor funded the first paid staff member and 17 volunteers served 51 children. In 2001, in response to the newly formed South Plains Foster Care Cluster Court, our local CASA program expanded to five additional counties beyond Lubbock (Cochran, Hale, Hockley, Terry, and Yoakum) and became CASA of the South Plains. Our program has continued to grow and now has over 20 staff members and over 150 active volunteers.
