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.
January 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.
December Volunteer Hours
Please use this form to submit your December volunteer hours and remember to include time spent driving to and from visits, meetings, and other CASA-related destinations.
VFC Office Closures
The office will be closed for the holidays from Friday, December 24 through Friday, December 31. Staff will return remotely on Monday, January 3. The office will also be closed on the following holidays:
Monday, January 18 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
Friday, February 12 (Lincoln’s Birthday)
Monday, February 15 (Presidents’ Day)
Quarterly Mileage Reimbursement
CASA mileage reimbursement for the period of October through December, 2021, is due on Monday, January 3. To receive your reimbursement, please fill out and return a mileage reimbursement form to your advocacy supervisor.
Continuing Education
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Due to COVID-19 precautions, all scheduled Small Group and Continuing Education sessions will be conducted remotely until further notice.
Juvenile Justice Small Group
Monday, January 10
5:30–7:00 p.m.
Please join us for a Small Group meeting to discuss your juvenile justice case with peers and a Juvenile Justice Advocacy Supervisor via Zoom. To participate, RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Kimberly Riveros at KimberlyR@speakupnow.org.
Open Topic Small Group
Wednesday, January 12
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 Advocacy Supervisor Erica Solberg at EricaS@speakupnow.org by Friday, January 7.
Mental Illness in Youth
Wednesday, January 19
Noon–1:30 p.m.
During this online Continuing Education session, we will discuss early warning signs of serious mental illness in youth. Learn about the difference between psychosis and pre-psychotic symptoms, evidence-based practices for treatment, and where to refer affected youth. Katrina Lopez, a clinician with KickStart, an HHSA-funded prevention and early intervention mental health program for youth ages 10 to 25, will offer tips and tools. RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Victor Cuevas at VictorC@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2275 by Tuesday, January 18.
Working with Biological Parents Small Group
Wednesday, January 26
5:30–7:00 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 Senior Advocacy Supervisor Carly Galbraith at CarlyG@speakupnow.org.
IEP 101: Educational Advocacy
Saturday, January 29
9:00–10:30 a.m.
Special Education Director, Alice Prince, will share her expertise on the who, what, where, how, and why questions surrounding the individualized educational program (IEP) process. Learn how to best secure and utilize the IEP when advocating for your child who may need help academically To attend, please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Tanya Ehlert at TanyaE@speakupnow.org by Wednesday, January 26.