Memorandum of Understanding between the Consular Network of Mexico in Texas and the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (Texas CASA)

AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The eleven Consulates of Mexico based in Texas and the Court Appointed
Special Advocates for Children of Texas (Texas CASA) signed today a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a private ceremony in Austin,
Texas.

This is the first official contact from both parties looking to help
thousands of Mexican families navigating the difficult processes of the
foster care system in the best interests of children.

The MOU sets the collaborative framework between Texas CASA and the
Consular Network of Mexico in Texas to work together in cases of Mexican
minors or children of Mexican origin, who are in the care of the Texas
state child protective services, and whose cases are included in the
Texas CASA Collaborative Family Engagement Initiative (CFE).

The main goal of the MOU is to seek the best interest of Mexican minors
or children of Mexican origin in the conservatorship process. Therefore,
one of the main objectives is to connect each child with their family,
regardless if the family resides in Mexico, so that every child may
benefit from the connections and support that family provides.
Furthermore, the MOU will also intend to help in: locating relatives in
Mexico and the US; exchanging information between both parties;
promoting the involvement of consulates in conservatorship hearings of
Mexican minors; facilitating the repatriation processes of minors when
deemed appropriate; encouraging the collaboration between Texas CASA’s
local programs and the Consular Network in those counties in which the
CFE is yet to function; among others.

Texas CASA is the statewide organization of 72 local CASA programs that
recruit and train volunteers to advocate for children in the child
protection system. Texas CASA supports the local CASA programs by
advocating for effective public policy for children in the child
protection system and by providing funding, training and technical
assistance to program staff, board and volunteers.

During the ceremony, the Undersecretary for North American Affairs,
Paulo Carreño King, who served as honor witness, said, “Our Consular
Officials have the obligation to look after and protect the best
interests of children of Mexican origin, helping them to preserve their
bonds with their closest kin, regardless of their migratory status.”

In the words of Texas CASA’s CEO, Vicki Spriggs, “We are excited and
honored to have the Consulates of Mexico partner in our Collaborative
Family Engagement Initiative. This MOU will allow for more children in
care to be united with family members who can provide a safe and
permanent home.”

If you are interested in supporting our initiative or becoming a CASA
volunteer, learn more or sign up at BecomeACASA.org.
CASA volunteers are everyday members of the community doing
extraordinary work by choosing to speak up for abused and neglected
children in their communities. CASA volunteers work to move the children
through foster care and into safe, permanent homes as quickly as
possible.

The signatories of the MOU were the Chief of Mission of each of the
eleven Consulates of Mexico in Texas, as well as Texas CASA’s CEO, Vicki
Spriggs.

Contacts

Consular Network of Mexico in Texas
Rafael Ruiz, 512-478-2866 ext.
113
mexicoenaustin@sre.gob.mx
or
Texas
CASA
Leslie Morton, 512-473-2627 ext. 101
lmorton@texascasa.org