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SJRC Belong outlines community-based care and backs plans to form CASA in Maverick County
Summary
Roxanne Carter of SJRC Belong presented the nonprofit's community-based care model and said staff are coordinating with Casa Valverde County and local officials to explore a CASA program in Maverick County; SJRC reported service-area data and requested community support for kinship placements and in-kind donations.
Roxanne Carter, regional director for SJRC Belong Texas, told the Eagle Pass City Council on March 3 that changes to the state's foster-care system have moved case-management responsibilities into community-based nonprofit organizations and described SJRC's role in that shift.
Carter said her West Region coverage spans nine counties and that, during the reporting period she cited, there were about 160 children in foster care across those counties. She said SJRC prioritizes kinship placements and provides case-management services through the life of a case, including support services to help caregivers meet children's needs.
"We really take pride in trying to keep the children close to home when at all possible," Carter said, explaining the community-based care model aims to reduce trauma and increase reunification and relative placements.
Carter said SJRC has partnered with the Eagle Pass Police Department and local stakeholders to expand services and is in exploratory talks with Casa Valverde County and Texas CASA to establish a local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) office in Maverick County. She described CASA volunteers as advocates who are appointed by the court to represent the best interests of children in foster care.
Carter also asked the community for in-kind donations to support kinship caregivers (example items: car seats, beds, diapers) and highlighted planned community programming if a local hub is established, including parent-child visitation space, financial-literacy classes, ESL and STEM offerings.
Why it matters: A local CASA office would provide trained volunteer advocates for children in the foster-care system, potentially increasing oversight, continuity and local placement options and reducing out-of-county placements.
What council heard: Carter walked through data slides (her printed materials show county-level placements and exit outcomes), noting SJRC's work has resulted in reunifications, adoptions and placements with relatives. She said the group had secured hub space in Val Verde County and sought a hub site in Eagle Pass. Carter invited Anna (Casa Valverde County) to participate in upcoming meetings and indicated formal next steps would include coordination with Texas CASA and meetings with local officials.
Next steps: SJRC will continue coordination with city staff, Casa Valverde County and Texas CASA, and staff indicated follow-ups and community outreach would be scheduled. Carter left contact information and business cards for interested volunteers and partners.
Provenance: Transcript of the Eagle Pass City Council regular meeting, March 3, 2026 (SJRC presentation SEG 323—SEG 586).
