08/05/2026
Thank you so much Judge Travis Ransom for your work on this initiative! Together we will be able to support more local families!
Countywide Partnership will Expand Support for Cass County Children
One of the greatest strengths of a rural community is the willingness to work together. Recently, Cass County, the Cities of Atlanta, Avinger, Hughes Springs, Linden, and several other municipalities are partnering on a countywide initiative that will direct local Child Safety Fee revenue toward organizations serving some of our county's most vulnerable children and families.
The Child Safety Fee is a $1.50 fee collected during the annual vehicle registration process and authorized by the Texas Legislature for programs that promote child safety, child abuse prevention, child welfare, and related services.
Rather than having multiple local governments each administer relatively small amounts of funding independently, participating entities are working together to combine these resources into a single countywide investment. Once all participating governments have acted, the program is expected to generate approximately $40,000 each year for local child welfare initiatives.
The funds will be divided equally among three organizations that already serve children and families throughout Cass County:
- Northeast Texas CASA, which provides court-appointed advocates for children involved in abuse and neglect cases.
- The Cass County Child Welfare Board, which helps meet the practical needs of children and families involved with Child Protective Services.
- For The Sake Of One, which supports foster families, biological families, and children before, during, and after foster care through family strengthening and prevention programs.
Each organization serves a different role, but together they provide a network of support that helps protect children, strengthen families, and improve outcomes for young people facing difficult circumstances. Pooling these resources creates a more meaningful and reliable funding source than any one jurisdiction could provide on its own. It also ensures that the funds are invested directly into programs that benefit children throughout Cass County, regardless of where they live.
This initiative reflects what can be accomplished when local governments work together toward a common goal. By combining resources instead of dividing them, we can make a greater impact on the lives of children and families who need our support the most. - Judge Travis Ransom
