May 2022
Reminders and Deadlines for CASAs
April Volunteer Hours
Please use this form to submit your March volunteer hours and remember to include time spent driving to and from visits, meetings, and other CASA-related destinations.
VFC Office Closures
VFC staff continue to primarily work remotely, however, limited access to the office is now available to CASAs. Please reach out to your advocacy supervisor if you need to come into the office. Staff will also be out of office on the following holidays:
Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day)
Monday, July 4 (Independence Day)
New Chesapeake Office Drop-In Hours
Voices for Children’s Chesapeake office will now have dedicated drop-in hours. If you need to access the office to pick up a gift card, a car seat, or any other prearranged item, please prepare to stop by during these set hours:
Monday–Friday: 10 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–3 p.m.
Remote Advocacy
If you are unable to visit with your assigned youth in person, please reach out to your advocacy supervisor and visit our Virtual Visits page. For additional information, advice, and resources on advocating for assigned youth, view our online Remote Advocacy Guide.
Continuing Education
Due to COVID-19 precautions, all scheduled Small Group and Continuing Education sessions will be conducted remotely until further notice.
Understanding the STRTP Placement Approval Process
Tuesday, May 3
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
VFC will host a continuing education on Understanding the STRTP Placement Approval Process. In October 2021, a new process was implemented that requires CWS and Probation to obtain the approval of a qualified individual when seeking to place a youth in an STRTP. In this Zoom session, presenters from Behavioral Health Services, CWS, and Probation will explain this new approval process and answer questions about how CASAs can participate and advocate for their assigned youth during this process. To participate, RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Sabrina Gonzalez at SabrinaGo@speakupnow.org by Monday, May 2.
Open Topic Small Group
Thursday, May 5
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
This Small Group is at capacity and closed for RSVPs.
Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries Small Group
Tuesday, May 24
5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Please join us for a Small Group meeting to discuss your case with peers and two advocacy supervisors via Zoom. To participate, RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Michelle Arnold at MichelleA@speakupnow.org by Friday, May 20.
Juvenile Justice Basic Advocacy Training
Thursday, June 16
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Are you assigned to a juvenile justice or dual-status case or interested in learning more about the juvenile justice system? This Zoom training will teach you how to navigate the juvenile justice system and advocate for youth on probation. To attend this training or learn more about VFC’s Juvenile Justice Program, please RSVP to Juvenile Justice Advocacy Supervisor Nora Siklosi-Szabo at NoraS@speakupnow.org by Wednesday, June 15.