IMPORTANT UPDATE
The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our community — including the children we serve, our volunteers, and our staff — has been of great concern to us at Voices for Children. All CASAs received an email from our President & CEO, Kelly Douglas, on March 12 with details on how to best conduct your role as a CASA during this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your advocacy supervisor. For the latest information, advice, and resources for advocating for case youth remotely while complying with stay-at-home restrictions related to COVID-19, please visit our Remote Advocacy Guide.
September 2021
Reminders and Deadlines for CASAs
Remote Advocacy Guide
For information, advice, and resources about advocating for assigned youth while complying with COVID-19 safety guidelines, view our online Remote Advocacy Guide.
August Volunteer Hours
Please use this form to submit your August volunteer hours and remember to include time spent driving to and from visits, meetings, and other CASA-related destinations.
VFC Office Closures
Due to COVID-19 precautions, VFC offices will be closed indefinitely. Staff are available remotely except for the following court-recognized holidays:
Monday, September 6 (Labor Day)
Monday, October 11 (Columbus Day)
Thursday, November 11 (Veterans Day)
Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving)
Friday, November 26 (Day after Thanksgiving)
Continuing Education
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Due to COVID-19 precautions, all scheduled Small Group and Continuing Education sessions will be conducted remotely until further notice.
Open Topic Small Group
Wednesday, September 8
10:00–11:30 a.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 Senior Advocacy Supervisor Allen Fox at allenf@speakupnow.org by Monday, September 6.
Educational Advocacy Small Group
Thursday, September 16
5:30–7:00 p.m.
Please join us for a Small Group meeting to discuss advocating for your assigned youth’s education with peers and two advocacy supervisors via Zoom. To participate, RSVP to Senior Advocacy Liaison Mandi Lane at mandil@speakupnow.org by Wednesday, September 15.
Juvenile Justice Basic Advocacy Training
Wednesday, September 22
10:00 a.m.–12:00 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 the training, or to learn more about VFC’s Juvenile Justice program, email Director of Advocacy Megan Marashlian at meganm@speakupnow.org.
Educational Needs of Youth in Foster Care
Wednesday, September 22
2:00–5:00 p.m.
The San Diego County Office of Education’s Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program provides intensive, specialized educational training for CASAs. The training will cover educational legislation specific to youth in foster care, with the goal to improve school stability and educational success. Time will be allotted for case-specific questions. RSVP to Senior Advocacy Supervisor Jane Wehrmeister at janew@speakupnow.org by Friday, September 17.
Grief and Trauma in Youth
Wednesday, September 29
10:00–11:30 a.m.
Please join us for a trauma-informed presentation by Dr. Yuliana Noniyeva, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist from UC San Diego Health. Dr. Yuliana will discuss the signs and symptoms of grief and trauma in children and provide tools for how to best support your assigned youth. Please RSVP to Senior Advocacy Liaison Erin Finnerty at erinf@speakupnow.org.