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.
March 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.
February Volunteer Hours
Please use this form to submit your February 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 save for the following court-recognized holiday:
Wednesday, March 31 (César Chávez Day)
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 Basic Advocacy Training
Tuesday, March 9
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 the training, or to learn more about VFC's Juvenile Justice pilot program, email Juvenile Justice Program Manager Megan Marashlian at MeganM@speakupnow.org.
Open Topic Small Group
Wednesday, March 10
10:00–11:30 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 Tiara Gardner at TiaraG@speakupnow.org by Monday, March 8.
Open Topic Small Group
Wednesday, March 17
5:30–7:00 p.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 Liaison Kelly Grant at KellyG@speakupnow.org.
Educational Needs of Youth in Foster Care
Tuesday, March 23
9:00 a.m.–noon
This San Diego County Office of Education workshop focuses on improving school stability and educational success for youth in foster care. The Zoom training will also cover pertinent educational legislation specific to children in the juvenile dependency system. RSVP to Senior Advocacy Supervisor Jane Wehrmeister at JaneW@speakupnow.org by Friday, March 19.
Mandated Reporter of Child Abuse Training
Wednesday, March 24
9:00–10:30 a.m.
Join us for a Zoom training with a Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) representative to learn about being a mandated reporter, including what to report, how to report, and what follow-up steps HHSA takes once a report is submitted. To attend, please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Siana Amos at SianaA@speakupnow.org by Monday, March 22.