Reminders and Deadlines for CASAs
September 2018
August Volunteer Hours
To submit your August volunteer hours, please click here. When submitting your hours, remember to include hours spent driving to and from visits, meetings, and other CASA-related destinations. Thank you.
VFC Office Closures
Monday, September 3 (Labor Day)
Monday, October 8, 2018 (Columbus Day)
October Birthday Club Deadline
If you would like to request a $25 gift card for your case child’s October birthday, please click on this link, Birthday Club, to request the gift card no later than Monday, September 24. Please note that the gift card provider does not accommodate late requests.
Drop-In Small Group
Wednesday, September 12
10:00-11:30 a.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Boardroom
Drop in to a Small Group meeting to discuss your case with peers and an advocacy supervisor. No RSVP is required. Please join us.
Juvenile Justice Basic Advocacy Training
Thursday, September 13
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
Whether you are assigned to a juvenile justice or dual status case or you are just curious about the juvenile justice system, the Juvenile Justice Basic Advocacy Training session will address how to navigate the juvenile justice system and how to advocate for youth on probation. Please RSVP to Juvenile Justice Program Manager Maggie Kipper at MaggieK@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2253. If you are unable to attend this training but are interested in learning more about the VFC’s new Juvenile Justice Pilot Program, please email Maggie.
Adoptions and Guardianship
Saturday, September 15
10 a.m.-Noon
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
Is your case child’s case moving toward adoption or guardianship? Would you like to learn more about the process of determining which permanent plan is best for your child? If so, this Continuing Education will provide you with an understanding of the assessment process, the differences between guardianship and adoption, and your role in post-permanency as a CASA. HHSA social worker supervisor Jessica Angeles will review the guardianship program and assessment and HHSA social worker Florence Keitel will explain the 366.26 assessment and the adoptions program. Please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Ian Ragsdale at (858) 598-2294 or IanR@speakupnow.org.
Trauma-Informed Practices for Ages 5 to 13
Thursday, September 20
5:30-7:00 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
This training will provide an overview of trauma-informed concepts and practices that can assist CASAs in their work with children ages 5 to 13. Through this workshop, CASAs will better understand the signs of trauma and their implications throughout a child’s developmental stages. The workshop will also address strategies to enhance CASAs’ trauma-informed practices and the importance of self-care for CASAs. The presenter, Chris Muecke, M. Ed., is a lecturer in the Child and Family Development Department at San Diego State University and has years of experience working with these ages. Please RSVP to Kristina Lisica at KristinaL@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2225.
Drop-In Small Group
Wednesday, October 10
10:00-11:30 a.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Boardroom
Drop in to a Small Group meeting to discuss your case with peers and an advocacy supervisor. No RSVP is required. Please join us.
New Court Report Template Training
Wednesday, October 10
5:30-7:00 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
Learn about our new court report template, which became effective July 1, 2018. Based on feedback from our dependency court judges, attorney networks, HHSA social workers, and many CASAs, the new court report template has been modified to ensure that we continue to provide quality information to the Court in a format that is clear, concise, and useful. Please RSVP to Andrea Self at AndreaS@speakupnow.org. Please note that this training was previously scheduled for October 17.
Special Education
Wednesday, October 24
5:30-7:00 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
Andrea Carlin, education attorney with the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, will present this Continuing Education session on special education. Please RSVP to Shanda Arredondo at ShandaA@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2214.