2. Why?

3. Why?
If you don’t, the assumption is you don’t care or that you are satisfied with the status quo.
If you don’t speak for our children, who will?

4. Who Influences Child Welfare Policy?
Media
DFPS
Providers
Advocacy Groups
Former Foster Youth
Constituent complaints/input (relatives/foster parents)
Judges

5. CASA’s Potential Impact
Judges
Media
DFPS
Providers
Think Tanks/
Advocacy Groups
Former Foster Youth
Constituent complaints/input (relatives/foster parents)
Parents rights groups

6. Why Volunteers?
For the same reasons that they are effective advocates in court!
no hidden agenda or financial interests
represent the community/constituents not the system
think outside the box
on-the-ground experts in how the child protection system really works for individual children and families
to the legislature, CASA = CASA volunteers
Well trained, work one on one with children and families
5 hour bill, 90 day hearing

7. Unforgettable
Our secret weapon – our stories. Our Passion that comes through when telling them. CASA volunteers know these children and can’t help but speak with passion when talking about them. Legislative hearing the other day – charlie brown’s parents and then Lee Harrison – perfect? No. Unforgettable – yes. Effective – yes.
Unforgettable stories, if we paint a picture with our stories, will be remembered among all the statistics, the reports, the budget forecasts and other information that the legislature gets ad nauseum.
Sticky facts and emotional tugs.

8. The Texas Legislature
Part-time, meets in odd numbered years, every other year, for 140 days (Jan-May)
150 representatives (house), and Speaker to lead
31 senators (senate), with Lt. Gov to lead
Governor has power to prioritize (emergency legislation) and veto, sign or let become law

9. Who are they?
Doctors, lawyers, consultants, insurance salesmen, small business owners, exterminators
House – VERY NEW R / 49 D, 118 male/32 female
40+ brand new members this session
33 brand new members last session
Senate – 19 R / 12 D, 25 male/6 female
Very conservative

10. Legislators During Session

11. If we wait until session – too little time, too late
82nd leg session (2011)
Bills Filed
1379 Total Bills Passed
24 Bills Vetoed by the Governor
Media, rallies, capitol days
Committee meetings

12. What is the Longterm Goal?
CASA for Every Child
Protect/Strengthen CASA effectiveness
CASA as a Resource and Change Agent to TRANSFORM THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM

13. How?
Know “support” CASA
Believe in CASA
Champion CASA!

14. Keys to Legislative Champions for CASA
Personal relationships – they know you
Passion/Intensity – they pay attention
Integrity – they respect/trust you
Expertise – they rely on you
Sustained attention – they can’t forget you
Support – they appreciate your help*

15. It’s all about relationships

16. Relationship Building
visits
photos
thank yous
visits to court!!!
handwritten notes or typed letters
newspaper clippings ( s to staff)
Program updates, CASA stories

19. What Now? Start building relationships
Meet with legislators now and meet again
Help form public policy agenda – need examples/stories/action
10 LATs and looking to develop 10 more in the next two years

20. Talking Points for Visits Now
Children in foster care are our most vulnerable citizens – in the custody of state due to abuse and neglect
Even with growth, CASA at 50% service statewide
Our goal is a CASA for every child and have a long way to go
Localize it with your program’s numbers

21. “As you know, CASA. . .”
Talk about what CASA does – don’t assume they know even if they say they do.
Leverages funding through volunteers – each staff supervisor can support up to 30 volunteers, who can work with up to 100 children
CASA volunteers are court appointed to one child or set of siblings
Work to find them a safe, permanent home as soon as possible

22. Be Unforgettable -- Sticky Facts and Emotional Tugs

23. Closing the Visit
Can we count on your support for more funding this session?
How can we be a resource to you on these important issues?

24. Things to do NOW
Sign up for the CASA Capital Beat – to keep informed, receive action alerts
Work with your CASA program to organize legislative visits and engagement plan in the next year!
Plan to attend the Child Welfare System Primer for Legislative Advocates in November