Email from Alliance For Children Let's Talk About It 💡 Court Accompaniment and Support Program: A History of Supporting Families in Court Written by: Ayda Torres, Senior Family Advocate Supervisor, and Noemi Vidales, Family Advocate The Family Advocate Program has a long-standing commitment to supporting families throughout the legal process, including providing court accompaniment during trials. While court accompaniment has always been an important service offered by the Family Advocate Program, the frequency and structure of this support have grown significantly over time. In 2013, the Family Advocate Program formalized its court accompaniment process and curriculum, establishing what is now known as the Court Accompaniment and Support Program (CASP). The development of CASP created a more structured approach to preparing children and families for the courtroom experience and ensuring they have the emotional and practical support needed before, during, and after testimony. The Purpose of CASP The primary purpose of the Court Accompaniment and Support Program is to provide families with education, preparation, and emotional support as they navigate the trial process. Testifying in court can be an unfamiliar and stressful experience for children, teens, and caregivers. Family Advocates help reduce uncertainty by preparing families for what they may encounter on the day of trial. When a Family Advocate is notified of an upcoming trial, they coordinate a court orientation meeting with the family. This meeting provides an opportunity for the Family Advocate to learn about the family's concerns, answer questions, and provide information about what to expect when attending court. Preparing Families for the Courtroom A key component of the court orientation is helping families understand what the day of testimony may look like. Family Advocates use a variety of educational tools and resources to make the court process easier to understand and less intimidating. One resource is the Kids/Teens in Court video, which provides families with an age-appropriate overview of the courtroom experience. The video helps prepare children and caregivers for practical aspects of the day, including courthouse security, waiting in the Victim Assistance Unit, entering the courtroom, providing testimony, and potentially seeing the alleged offender. Family Advocates may also use a courtroom model to provide a visual representation of the courtroom. Through this tool, families can learn about the different individuals who may be present, their roles and responsibilities, where people sit, and what security procedures they may encounter. Using visual and interactive tools allows children and caregivers to ask questions and become more familiar with an environment that may otherwise feel overwhelming. Addressing Emotional and Mental Health Needs Preparing a family for court involves more than explaining the logistics of the courtroom. An essential component of the CASP orientation is reassessing the family's mental health and emotional support needs in preparation for the trial. For some children and caregivers, testifying may bring up difficult emotions, memories, or fears—particularly when there is a possibility of seeing the alleged offender. Family Advocates use the orientation meeting as an opportunity to identify concerns, assess whether additional support may be needed, and help families develop strategies for managing the emotional challenges associated with the trial. This reassessment ensures that our support remains responsive to the family's needs as they move through different stages of the legal process. The Impact of Court Accompaniment The Court Accompaniment and Support Program reflects the Family Advocate Program's commitment to ensuring that families do not have to navigate the court process alone. By providing education, preparation, advocacy, and emotional support, Family Advocates help families better understand what to expect and feel more prepared to participate in the legal process.  Since its formalization in 2013, CASP has provided a framework for consistent and meaningful court preparation. Through individualized orientation meetings, educational resources, courtroom modeling, and ongoing assessment of mental health needs, Family Advocates help create a more supportive and informed experience for children and families facing the challenges of trial and testimony. Recently, CASP has been awarded grant funds from the Texas Bar Foundation that allow our Family Advocates to support clients through the purchase of court attire and other basic needs throughout the duration of trial. In a specific case, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s (TCDA) office notified our Family Advocate team about an approaching trial for a family from 2023 who had engaged in many of our services at the initiation of their investigation. In the years since, the family relocated to a different city due to the incident. When one of our Family Advocates, Noemi, first re-engaged to offer CASP assistance, the caregiver disclosed many financial and emotional struggles they’d endured and that the child was not feeling confident about facing her abuser. The defendant in the case was the biological father of the child and was also the main financial provider in the family. Noemi coordinated with the TCDA's Victim Assistance Coordinator and learned that the family would be in town for a pre-trial meeting. Given the high need the family was facing, Noemi was able to meet the family after their pre-trial meeting to shop for clothing for when they would testify. Both caregiver and child seemed empowered as they chose their outfits for when they would see the defendant again after so many years. Noemi is still in contact with the family ensuring they are connected to necessary services and will be ready to be present when the time comes for the child to testify.  This is only one example of how preparation and support coupled with the generosity of the community and funders like Texas Bar Foundation, our CASP program helps survivors find the strength to testify against their abusers and play a role in justice and healing.   Alliance For Children - LIVE ! 🎸 Our first-ever Alliance For Children-LIVE! was truly one for the books! We’re incredibly proud of what our community came together to make possible. A special thank you to all who helped bring this event to life. From working behind the scenes to attending and supporting the event, your generosity played an important role in making the night a success and helped us raise critical dollars to provide for the children and families we serve across Tarrant County. Thank you for bringing Alliance For Children-LIVE! to the stage and allowing us to continue our mission year-round for our community's most vulnerable children. Dutch Bro's Gives Back Nov. 13 💙 5 AM–10 PM Arlington Locations  Dutch Bros. will donate $1 back to Alliance For Children from every drink purchased on Friday, November 13th. Simply order your drink of choice and mention "Alliance For Children" to benefit our kids!   Christmas Connection 2026🎄 The holiday season is almost here! 🎄✨  Help us make it a little brighter for the children and families we serve by helping us fill our pop-up shop, Christmas Connection. Every item purchased goes directly to a family referred to us by our Clinical and Family Advocacy teams, helping bring a little extra comfort, joy, and normalcy to their holiday season. Shop our Christmas wish list! North Texas Giving Day Recap 💚 This North Texas Giving Day, we raised an incredible $37,770, surpassing our goal of $35,000!  A huge thank you to everyone who donated and shared our mission of protecting child victims of crime in Tarrant County! Goals For Good Give Back: Saturday, October 24 ⚽️ Waxahachie, TX The Arlington Police Department Soccer Team will be competing in the Monster Madness 4v4 Tournament on Saturday, October 24!  Show support by making a pledge, with the donation amount based on the number of goals the team scores. All proceeds will benefit our kiddos! Our Volunteer Program offers opportunities for both individuals and groups to make a difference! Direct Service Engage with children and families through various opportunities throughout the year. Requirements: Application & Background Check Volunteer Orientation Placement Review Agency Training  Opportunities could include: Center Assistance Sibling Facilitator Room Makeover Project Seasonal Events like Christmas Connection or Camp B.L.U.E. Indirect Service Support our mission through projects and activities that do not involve direct client interaction. Requirement: No Orientation Required No Background Check Required Flexible Opportunities  Opportunities could include: Community Ambassador Special Event Committees Center/Supply Organizing Client Service Event Set-up Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities ⭐️ Center Assistance (all 3 locations) Fall Festival (all 3 locations) Volunteer Coordinator will share available shifts once contacted! [email protected] Family Advocate Program Needs 🌈 Our Family Advocates walk alongside children and their protective caregivers throughout the process of healing, helping them navigate challenges, and access essential resources along the way. Your support helps us meet families’ immediate needs. We are currently collecting: New Coats: All sizes, especially for older children. Hygiene Supplies: Essential personal care items for the families we serve. (full size donations appreciated) Gas Gift Cards: $10 gift cards to help families get to appointments and access needed services. Restaurant and Grocery Gift Cards: $25–$50 gift cards to help provide meals for families. Thank you for helping us care for children and families in our community when they need it most! Please drop off items at your nearest center! Visit our Website Donate   Alliance For Children | 3609 Marquita Drive | Fort Worth, TX 76116 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice