Hope, Healing, and Safety: CASA’s Role in Supporting Survivors

Written By Kaitlin Aguilar

October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is a time to pause, reflect, and raise awareness about domestic and family violence — its impact, its consequences, and how we as a community can step in to support healing and safety. At CASA of Tarrant County, we recognize that many youth and families touched by the foster care system have endured or witnessed domestic violence. These experiences can leave lasting imprints: fear, mistrust, emotional trauma, and challenges in forming safe relationships.

As CASA volunteers and staff, we commit not only to seeing those wounds but to helping repair them — by standing with survivors, elevating their voices, and working toward safe, supportive communities for all children and families.

Understanding Texas’s Family Violence Program: What It Is & What It Offers

Through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Family Violence Program provides a network of free, trauma-informed services across the state. Texas Health and Human Services+1 Some key services and support include:

  • 24/7 Hotline & Crisis Support
    The National Domestic Violence Hotline is staffed around the clock with trained advocates. They provide crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, and referrals to local shelters or programs.

    • Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

    • TTY: 1-800-787-3224

    • Text “START” to 88788

    • Chat online at thehotline.org

  • Shelter and Nonresidential Support Services
    State-funded centers offer temporary 24-hour emergency shelter for survivors and their children plus nonresidential services (for those who do not, or cannot, stay in shelter). During fiscal year 2024, these centers and programs provided millions of services to over 66,700 adults and children in Texas. Texas Health and Human Services

  • Legal Advocacy, Protection & Court Support
    Survivors may access legal advocates who help explain options, assist with paperwork, and accompany clients to court hearings. The program also provides information and support in obtaining protective orders, understanding rights, and navigating the court system.

  • Support Services & Community Education
    Additional supports include emergency transportation, medical referrals, employment and training assistance, and broader community education and prevention efforts.

  • Rights, Notices & Tools
    Under Texas law, survivors have protection and informational resources. HHSC now distributes a “Your Rights as a Survivor” notice (in English and Spanish) summarizing options, shelter info, and support contacts. Texas Health and Human Services+1

Additional Resources & Tools That Can Help Survivors & Advocates

Beyond what’s listed on the HHSC page, here are some critical supports and programs that survivors (or those supporting them) should know about:

  • Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV)
    A statewide network and coalition that supports survivors, advocates, and community programs. They offer a “Housing Beyond Shelter” chart, guidance on lease termination for survivors, and training for advocates. Texas Council on Family Violence
    For example:

  • Legal Aid & Support Services
    Survivors in Texas may seek help from legal services organizations.  Examples include:

    • Texas Advocacy Project (statewide support) Texas Health and Human Services

    • Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, and the Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) may assist with family law, protective orders, custody, or other civil matters. Texas Health and Human Services

    • The Child Support Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office has policies to keep survivor information confidential and route cases sensitively. Texas Attorney General

  • 2-1-1 Texas / Texas Information & Referral Network
    If you or someone you know needs help locating resources such as food, housing, legal support, or domestic violence services in your ZIP code, 2-1-1 Texas is a useful starting point. 211 Texas

  • Texas Abuse Hotline
    If there is suspicion or evidence of abuse or neglect of children or older adults, the Texas Abuse Hotline can receive reports. getchildsupportsafely.org

Connecting CASA’s Mission with the Domestic Violence Landscape

Why this matters especially for our work at CASA:

  • Children in foster care are disproportionately likely to have been exposed to or impacted by domestic violence. Many have witnessed conflict, threats, or unsafe behavior in their homes, which can affect their emotional well-being, development, and trust in relationships.

  • Advocacy must be trauma-informed and safety-centered. A CASA volunteer or advocate working with a child must be sensitive to the possible layers of fear, secrecy, and trauma survivors carry.

  • Collaboration is essential. CASA’s role does not replace specialized services — but we can partner with local family violence programs, legal advocates, mental health providers, and community organizations to help children and their caregivers access support.

  • Prevention and education are part of long-term change. Elevating awareness, destigmatizing help-seeking, and fostering a culture of safety can reduce exposure and intervention in future generations.

Closing Thoughts

This October, as we wear purple and post awareness messages, let us also commit deeper — to listening, learning, and acting. For the children who have lived in fear, for the adults who found the courage to seek help, and for the communities still healing: we stand with survivors.

If you or someone you know needs help today, please reach out to 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (TTY: 1-800-787-3224), text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org. Through the Texas HHSC Family Violence Program and the network of shelter and advocacy services, free, confidential support is available.

Together, we can amplify safety, healing, and hope — one child, one family, one step at a time.

Kaitlin Aguilar
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