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.
“The Kaufman County District Attorney’s Office is excited about the opportunity for our youth that will now have the opportunity to work with an advocate from CASA. This partnership will help support even better outcomes for our youth. We share the mission of moving juveniles that have committed criminal offenses to productive citizens in our community,” stated District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley.
The Justice-Involved Youth (JIY) Program is designed to support youth on formal probation, with key outcomes including successful completion of probation, no new charges during the program, improved access to support services, stronger connections with positive adult role models, and youth developing a vision for a brighter future.
To make this vision a reality, Lone Star CASA is seeking passionate individuals and committed organizations to join us on this brand-new initiative. Lone Star CASA’s Executive Director Lauren Rowe shares, “We believe every young person deserves a second chance. Their past does not define their future—and we’re here to walk beside them as they rewrite their story.”
Get Involved – You Can Make a Difference
Are you passionate about supporting youth and helping them envision a brighter future? We need volunteers and community support to make the Justice-Involved Youth (JIY) Program a success.
Visit www.lonestarcasa.org or call (972) 772-5858 to learn how you can get involved, donate, or become a trained CASA volunteer for the Justice-Involved Youth (JIY) Program.
Press release submitted by Mariela Lomeli, Lone Star CASA, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News.
Lone Star CASA launches program to support justice-involved youth in Kaufman County added by Melanie M on
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