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.