Voz de Niños

Mission Statement: Voz de Niños advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system through the training and support of community volunteers. Vision Statement: A safe, permanent, loving home for every child.

History of Voz de Niños Voz de Niños is the only Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Guardian ad LItem (GAL) program serving Webb County. The organization was established in 2007 to ensure that children who have experienced abuse or neglect have a trained, independent advocate to represent their best interests in court and throughout their time in the child welfare system. Voz de Niños is affiliated with both the National CASA/GAL Association for Children and Texas CASA, which provide standards, training, and support for local CASA programs. The CASA movement began nationally in 1977, when a judge recognized that children involved in abuse and neglect cases needed someone whose sole responsibility was to advocate for their best interests. Since then, CASA programs have expanded across the United States, with local programs serving communities through trained volunteers appointed by the courts. Voz de Niños became Webb County's local CASA program, bringing this nationally recognized model to children in the region. Today, Voz de Niños continues to recruit, train, and support volunteer advocates throughout Webb County. As the number of children entering foster care has grown, the organization has expanded its volunteer recruitment efforts to ensure that every child has a dedicated advocate working toward a safe, permanent, and loving home.

Mission Statement: Voz de Niños advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system through the training and support of community volunteers. Vision Statement: A safe, permanent, loving home for every child.

Our Programs: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program – Recruits, trains, and supervises community volunteers who are appointed by the Honorable Judge Selina Mireles to advocate for abused and neglected children involved in the child welfare system. Volunteers serve to ensure the child's consistent voice is heard in court and help ensure decisions are made in the child's best interests.

Volunteer Recruitment & Training – Provides comprehensive pre-service training, ongoing education, and professional support to prepare CASA volunteers to effectively advocate for children throughout their cases.

Child Advocacy & Court Support – CASA volunteers gather information from teachers, medical providers, caregivers, and family members, monitor each child's well-being, and provide independent recommendations to the court regarding safety, permanency, and services needed.

Community Outreach & Education – Raises awareness about child abuse and neglect, the foster care system, and the need for CASA volunteers through community presentations, events, and partnerships. Together, these programs ensure that children in Webb County who have experienced abuse or neglect have a dedicated advocate working toward their safety, well-being, and a permanent, loving home, whether that is via family reunification or adoption.