Child Advocacy

Court-Ordered Services Advocacy

Families in crisis don’t always need separation—they need support. Court-Ordered Services (COS) cases give parents the opportunity to strengthen their families while keeping children safely at home. Advocates play a vital role in helping ensure children are safe, heard, and have access to the resources they need to thrive. Working in partnership with parents, children, CPS caseworkers, and community providers, volunteers advocate for services tailored to each family’s unique needs and strengths. Through this collaborative approach, CASA volunteers help support family stability, promote child well-being, and work toward preventing children from entering foster care whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so. Volunteers advocate in a manner that respects the fundamental right of the parents to manage the education and upbringing of their children. Child Advocates of Montgomery County accepted its first Court-Ordered Services case in 2026.

The issue

Court-Ordered Services (COS) cases involve children and families who are part of the child welfare system but where the child has not yet been removed from the home. These cases are designed to address safety concerns while giving families the opportunity to remain together.
In a COS case, the court has determined there is evidence that a child has experienced abuse or neglect, or is at substantial risk of abuse or neglect, and that intervention is needed to reduce the danger to the child.
Texas law allows courts to order parents or caregivers to participate in services such as substance abuse treatment, parenting education, counseling, or other supports intended to improve child safety and prevent foster care placement.
The primary goal of Court-Ordered Services is to prevent the unnecessary removal of children from their families while ensuring child safety through court oversight and supportive services.
In 2025, Texas served approximately 15,156 family preservation cases, demonstrating the significant number of families receiving services intended to keep children safely at home and avoid foster care placement whenever possible.
Even with prevention efforts, more than 10,000 children were removed from their homes in Texas during fiscal year 2025, highlighting the ongoing need for early intervention and support services for vulnerable families.

Become an advocate

Because our volunteers serve on one case at a time, they truly get to know the child and family and can give each case the sustained, personal attention every child deserves. We invite you to join our family of dedicated volunteers and make a difference in a child’s life—and your own.

For your convenience, Child Advocates offers day and evening classes. Click here for schedule of upcoming training classes.

Want more information or have questions? Attend one of our Chat with Child Advocates events, and you will have the opportunity to join current Advocates and staff for informational conversations about becoming an Advocate. View our calendar for upcoming events.

For more information you can also call or email Lead Outreach Specialist Shellie Tyrrell at (936) 441-5437 or Shellie@ChildAdvocatesTexas.org.

Qualifications

An Advocate must:

Be 21 years of age or older.
Successfully pass screening and background check requirements.
Complete initial training provided by the Child Advocates of Montgomery County program (39 hours of initial training that includes 18 in-person classroom hours and approximately 20 to 21 online/independent reading hours plus 3 hours of courtroom observation).
Complete 12 hours of continuing education annually that is related to the work of advocacy.
Make a 6-month minimum commitment to an Educational Advocacy case. Families commit to participating in the program for 6 months with the option to extend.
Keep information confidential and work within established program guidelines.
Be computer literate and have access to a computer.