Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
CASA of Williamson County has been serving the community since 2009.
What is your primary product or service?
Abused and neglected children.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
CASA of Williamson County was created in 2009 by concerned community members and judges – following the creation of the national CASA model by a Seattle family court judge in 1977. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer or supporting CASA of Williamson County, please visit www.casawctx.com or call (512) 868-2822.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
CASA of Williamson County believes every child who’s been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school and in our community. To accomplish this, CASA educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure each child’s needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system. When the state steps in to protect a child’s safety because the people responsible for protecting them have not, a judge appoints a trained CASA volunteer to make independent and informed recommendations and help the judge decide what’s best for the child. CASA is the only child advocacy group working in the court system that provides a caring, consistent adult focused on the well-being of a single child.
For children who’ve been abused or neglected, CASA means having a home instead of feeling lost, and being a priority instead of feeling invisible. For volunteers, CASA is a life-changing experience that makes our community a better place.
CASA volunteers come from every walk of life and share a commitment to improving children’s lives, a willingness to learn, and an open mind towards life experiences different from their own. Volunteers complete an interview, background checks and 33 hours of intensive training. After being sworn-in by a judge, volunteers are appointed to a child or family of children and spend an average of 20 hours a month advocating for these children for at least a year. They get to know the child while also gathering information from the child’s family, teachers, doctors, care-givers and anyone else involved in the child’s life. Judges highly value CASA’s recommendations which help them make informed decisions in the child’s best interest.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
CASA currently has one office that is located at 805 W. University Ave., in Georgetown, Texas. There were over 710 cases of child abuse in 2012 where children had to be removed from the home for their own safety and protection and becomes the custody of a public child welfare agency. There are 480 children currently in the state system waiting for a CASA so it is CASA's mission to grow and expand services to meet the needs of children in our fast growing community.
Provide detailed directions to your location
If you are coming from North (on I-35 S), depart I-35 S 1.5 miles, at exit 261, take ramp right for S Interstate 35 toward Burnet 1.3 miles, keep straight onto N Interstate 35 0.1 mile, turn left onto TX-29 / W. University Ave
0.5 mile, arrive at 805 W. University Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626. The last intersection is Scenic Dr., If you reach Railroad St, you've gone too far.
What type of payments do you accept?
Donations can be accepted by credit cards, checks, and in-kind donations.
Which areas do you service?
All of Williamson County, Texas.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Alisa De Luna is the Executive Director for CASA of Williamson County
What are your hours of operation?
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
From a seven year old foster child, "Every kid needs a CASA, they're angels."
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
"It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men" - Frederick Douglass