Rockwall & Kaufman Counties, TX (August 1, 2025) — Lone Star CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), dedicated to advocating for children who have experienced abuse and neglect in Kaufman and Rockwall counties, is launching a transformative pilot program: the Justice-Involved Youth (JIY) Program designed to support youth placed on formal probation in Kaufman County in need of a guardian ad litem in their lives.
Juvenile justice involvement has surged in Kaufman County, rising by 121% from 147 cases in 2020 to 325 in 2023.* The JIY Program offers a vital new path forward for youth and families in crisis. Through this initiative, specially trained CASA Volunteers will stand beside youth from the moment of adjudication, providing consistent support and advocacy when it’s needed most.
How CASA Volunteers Will Help:
- Offer consistent, trauma-informed, and youth-centered advocacy from the moment of adjudication
- Walk beside youth, building trust, understanding their unique needs and standing as a consistent presence during a time of instability
- Connecting families to vital community resources, improving access to education, and strengthening support systems
Lone Star CASA’s JIY Program is launching on September 1, with an initial goal of serving 25 youth and their families in Kaufman County. CASA will work closely with the District Attorney’s Office, the Kaufman County Juvenile Probation Department, and other local agencies to implement this new juvenile probation program…