E.R. Carpenter Grant Boosts CASA Support for Coryell and Bell Children

CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties announced it received a $25,000 grant from the E.R. Carpenter Foundation on December 1, 2025, to expand recruitment and training of volunteer advocates. The nonprofit provides a consistent adult voice for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and represents their needs in court proceedings. Local officials and advocates say the grant will directly support the program at a time of sustained demand.

Volunteers serve as court appointed special advocates, visiting children, tracking their progress, and making recommendations to judges about placement and services. One long time volunteer in the program has supported a single child through 13 placements, illustrating the instability many children face and the continuity an advocate can provide. That continuity can shape decisions in family court and the timeline for reunification or permanent placement.

The grant arrives against a backdrop of significant caseload pressure. In 2023 the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services served a large number of children in Bell and Coryell counties, and local advocates emphasize there remains a sizable gap between children in care and the number of trained CASA volunteers available to represent them. That mismatch creates heavier caseloads for existing volunteers and can delay the sort of individual attention that improves legal and social outcomes for children.

For residents, the grant matters both for immediate services and for civic engagement. Expanding the pool of trained volunteers can reduce caseloads per advocate, increase monitoring of placements, and provide more thorough information to judges handling child welfare cases. The investment also underscores the role that private foundations play in supporting front line services in the absence of sufficient public resources, raising questions about long term funding stability and the capacity of local institutions.

CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties is actively seeking volunteers to serve as court appointed advocates. Residents who want to help can visit the CASA site to learn about training schedules and eligibility. Increasing volunteer participation remains a practical step local citizens can take to strengthen protections for children in the county foster care system and to improve outcomes in the family court process.