February 2023
Reminders and Deadlines for CASAs
January Volunteer Hours
Please use this form to submit your January volunteer hours. 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 available to CASAs. Please reach out to your advocacy supervisor if you need to come into the office. Staff will be out of office on the following holidays:
Monday, February 13 (Lincoln’s Birthday)
Monday, February 20 (Presidents’ Day)
Friday, March 31 (César Chávez Day)
Chesapeake Office Drop-In Hours
Voices for Children’s Chesapeake office now has 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 Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – noon or 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Continuing Education
All scheduled Small Group and Continuing Education sessions will be conducted remotely unless noted otherwise.
Requirement Reminder and Update
As a reminder, all active CASAs are required to complete at least 12 hours of continuing education each year in order to be in compliance with the National CASA Standards and California Rules of Court. Beginning in January 2023, Voices for Children will begin tracking CASA completion of continuing education hours on a fiscal year basis. Please contact your Advocacy Supervisor if you have any questions or concerns.
Open Topic Small Group
Wednesday, February 8
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Please join us for a Small Group meeting to discuss your case with peers and an advocacy supervisor via Zoom. To participate, RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Ayaan Jones at AyaanJ@speakupnow.org by Friday, February 3.
Suicide Prevention Training
Saturday, February 18
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Please join us for a continuing education session hosted by Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOSL). This session will include a Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training, which is designed to give members of the general public the basic skills necessary to recognize the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. During this training, you will learn to recognize warning signs of suicide, how to offer hope, and how to get help and save a life. SOSL will also provide an in-depth look at their organization and resources they offer. To RSVP, email Advocacy Supervisor Sophie Pariseau at SophieP@speakupnow.org by Friday, February 10.
Juvenile Justice Basic Advocacy Training
Wednesday, February 22
10:00 a.m. – noon
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 Sabrina Gonzalez at SabrinaGo@speakupnow.org by Tuesday, February 21.
An Introduction to Extended Foster Care
Thursday, February 23
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Please join us for a continuing education session on Extended Foster Care (EFC). Learn from an EFC Protective Services Supervisor about EFC eligibility, participation criteria, resources, housing, support networks, challenges, and more. CASAs will also have time to ask questions and have conversations throughout the presentation. To attend, please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Hadley Horner at HadleyH@speakupnow.org by Tuesday, February 21.
Drop-In Small Group
Wednesday, March 8
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Please join us for a Small Group meeting to discuss your case with peers and an advocacy supervisor via Zoom. To participate, RSVP to Senior Advocacy Supervisor Diana Woldt-Gorsich at DianaW@speakupnow.org by Friday, February 24.
Autism Spectrum Disorder with Autism Tree
Tuesday, March 14
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Please join us for a continuing education session on Autism Spectrum Disorder and the resources available through Autism Tree, who is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving autism communities around the world and benefits the entire family. Hear from Director of Operations, Rebecca Barron, who will be presenting on Autism Tree’s history, core pillars, mission, and their 19 programs and special events provided at no cost to autistic individuals and their families annually. She will also cover the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder, facts and myths about autism, the complex system of services families living with autism face in their lifetime, and how to engage with autistic people of all ages. To attend, RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Chelsea Shaw at ChelseaS@speakupnow.org by Monday, March 13.
Addiction and Substance Use
Monday, March 20
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Please join us for a continuing education session on Addiction and Substance Abuse. Youth in foster care often face multiple challenges that place them at increased risk of using substances, making it imperative that their team of professionals understand how to identify possible usage, and, if needed, support youth in their treatment and recovery. CASAs will also have time to ask questions and have conversations throughout the presentation. To attend, please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Michelle Arnold at MichelleA@speakupnow.org by Thursday, March 16, 2023.