Organization of the Year (Mega)

Winner: Dallas CASA

Dallas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) serves as the largest of more than 900 independent CASA programs nationwide. For more than six years, volunteers with Dallas CASA have supported 100 percent of the children in foster homes in Dallas County. When child welfare management in the county transitioned to a private contractor in March 2024, there was a resulting surge of requests typically handled by CPS workers. Dallas CASA facilitated the transition by hiring additional professionals to manage the caseload under the direction of CEO Kathleen LaValle. After 30 hours of training, Dallas CASA volunteers help guide foster children toward safe, permanent homes.

Finalists: Austin Street Center; Buckner International; HHM Health; Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute; My Possibilities.