IEPs, Advocacy, and Hope: Protecting Educational Rights for Foster Youth

Finding Home: Building Brighter Futures for Children and Families

How can communities better support children and families before they enter foster care—and how do schools, child welfare agencies, and community organizations work together once children become involved in the system? In this episode of EduVoices: Championing Foster Futures, Dr. Rudy Reyes, Ed.D., CEO of Children's Home of Lubbock, shares his perspective on the partnerships that help children and families thrive. The conversation explores prevention efforts through the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), educational stability, trauma-informed care, and the critical roles of schools, Foster Care Liaisons, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs), and community organizations. Drawing on his leadership in child welfare, Dr. Reyes discusses what schools are doing well, where collaboration can be strengthened, and how communities can better support children both inside and outside the classroom. The discussion also examines policy opportunities, emerging research needs, and the data that could help improve educational and life outcomes for children and families across Texas.

IEPs, Advocacy, and Hope: Protecting Educational Rights for Foster Youth

Students in foster care often face school instability, interrupted educational services, and the lasting effects of trauma. When special education enters the picture, navigating the educational system can become even more challenging for foster parents, caregivers, CASA volunteers, educators, and school leaders. In this episode of EduVoices: Championing Foster Futures, Dr. Dusty Palmer and Dr. Stephanie Barbre welcome Dr. Bridgett Dolan, founder of Spero Advocacy & Consulting, for an in-depth conversation about protecting the educational rights of foster-connected students. Together, they explore the complex intersection of foster care, special education, trauma, and educational advocacy, discussing practical strategies to ensure students receive the services and supports they deserve.

Building Lifelong Connections: Collaborative Family Engagement in Action

In this episode of EduVoices, we explore the transformative framework of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) with Frances Lofley, a Texas CASA CFE Coach. CFE represents a significant shift in how systems approach foster care—moving beyond case management toward intentionally identifying, strengthening, and sustaining lifelong relationships for children. At its core, this model is grounded in the belief that every child has a network of connections that can be discovered and cultivated to support long-term belonging and stability. We unpack how CFE works in practice, including its emphasis on collaboration across CASA programs, Child Protective Services, and community partners. The conversation highlights the “4 Cs” framework—Collaborate, Cultivate, Convene, and Connect—and how these principles guide efforts to build meaningful, enduring support systems for youth. This episode also explores how CFE redefines the role of CASA volunteers, shifting from traditional advocacy toward relationship-centered engagement that prioritizes family voice, youth input, and long-term permanency.  Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how connection—not just compliance—can drive better outcomes for foster-connected youth.

Leading a Statewide Movement: Strengthening Advocacy for Foster Youth in Texas

In this episode of EduVoices, we sit down with Vicki Spriggs, CEO of Texas CASA, to explore the evolving landscape of foster care advocacy across Texas. This conversation takes a systems-level view of how children in foster care are supported—and where critical gaps still exist. Vicki Spriggs shares insight into the role Texas CASA plays in aligning efforts across local programs, courts, child welfare agencies, and schools to improve outcomes for foster-connected youth. We examine the challenges of scaling impact across a large and diverse state, the importance of cross-sector collaboration, and the leadership decisions required to balance statewide strategy with local program autonomy. The discussion also highlights emerging innovations in advocacy and what meaningful systems change looks like in practice. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how leadership, policy, and practice intersect to shape the experiences of children in foster care—and what it will take to build stronger, more responsive systems moving forward.

From Volunteer to Statewide Impact: Strengthening CASA Programs Through Grants and Experience

In this episode of EduVoices, we are joined by Brandi Goen, Grants Management Director at Texas CASA and former CASA volunteer, to explore how lived experience and strategic funding come together to strengthen advocacy for children in foster care. Brandi shares her personal journey from serving as a CASA volunteer to supporting programs across Texas at the state level—offering a unique perspective on how direct advocacy shapes broader systems work. This conversation highlights the critical role CASA volunteers play in the lives of children, while also examining how grant funding supports local programs in building capacity, maintaining quality, and expanding impact. We explore how funding decisions align with organizational priorities, how Texas CASA supports local programs through grant management, and how insights from the field inform statewide strategy. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of sustainability, accountability, and ensuring that resources ultimately translate into meaningful outcomes for children and families. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how individual advocacy experiences connect to larger systems of support—and how strategic investment strengthens the overall impact of CASA programs across Texas.