Hidalgo County, TX (KRGV) — A non-profit organization is holding a free recruiting event in November to try to bring in more foster families ahead of the holidays.

Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Hidalgo County says too many local children still have to leave the Rio Grande Valley to find a home.

A Hidalgo County judge issued an October 2025 order that says the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services must place children in its temporary or permanent care in Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr and Willacy counties. The department needs court approval before it places a child outside the Rio Grande Valley unless the child is in an emergency shelter with no local opening or has high medical or behavioral needs.

Children already placed outside the Rio Grande Valley will stay there until the court orders otherwise. The order also says no one may place a child in a hospital, psychiatric ward, or behavioral center without a doctor's order.

“Due to the standing order that our child protection court judge has, we felt there was a need to bring more foster homes here to Hidalgo County,” CASA of Hidalgo County Interim Executive Director Cassandra Montalvo said. “When our children get placed outside of the Valley, they may get placed in homes that the culture is not there, being that we are Hispanic.”

Families at the event will be able to talk with local agencies and learn how to become a foster parent.