CASA in 'Crisis Mode'

Since January, 35 children in 17 cases have entered Hunt County's foster care system, pushing CASA for Hunt County into what Executive Director Lori Cope calls 'crisis mode.' The unprecedented surge means 40% of Hunt County's foster children currently lack a dedicated CASA volunteer, missing what Cope describes as 'one consistent adult whose only job is to focus on that child's best interest.'

The crisis stems from economic stress on families creating more neglectful situations, while Hunt County's growing population naturally increases child abuse cases. 'Hunt County does occasionally experience surges in removals, but this level of increase over a five-month period is certainly not typical,' Cope said. The shortage forces CASA staff to personally handle cases while supervising volunteers and running daily operations.

The concern has led to an unthinkable possibility: Cope may ask the judge to pause new case appointments to CASA, something that 'would break my heart.' For children without dedicated volunteers, the loss is profound as their attention becomes divided among many children and broader responsibilities.

CASA volunteers must be at least 21, undergo background checks and complete 33 hours of training over three weeks. They commit to 12-18 month cases, attending four to five court hearings annually and writing detailed reports. 'The CASA Volunteer is meant to be the one consistent person who doesn't walk away,' Cope said.

Despite common misconceptions, volunteers don't need professional backgrounds in child welfare. 'CASA Volunteers are people from all walks of life who simply want to stand up for a child in crisis,' Cope said. In 2025, volunteers logged 12,368 hours traveling 49,733 miles to serve 163 children, with 78% of closed cases resulting in children returning to parents or relatives.

CASA has gained 33 new volunteers since 2024 but lost 30, maintaining a precarious balance while demand soars. Cope remains hopeful about a July training class bringing relief. 'If the pace of new removals slows even slightly and we can gain several new CASA Volunteer applicants, we may be able to bridge the gap,' she said.