August 2019
Reminders and Deadlines for CASAs
July Volunteer Hours
To submit your July 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 2 (Labor Day)
September Birthday Club Deadline
If you would like to request a $25 gift card for your case child's July birthday, please click on this link, Birthday Club, to request the gift card no later than Friday, June 21. Please note that the gift card provider does not accommodate late requests.
Continuing Education
Educational Needs of Youth in Foster Care
Wednesday, August 7
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
The San Diego County Office of Education Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program provides intensive, specialized educational training for CASAs. The goal of this training is to improve school stability and educational success. This Continuing Education session will also include extensive special education training and cover pertinent educational legislation specific to youth in foster care. CASAs will have ample opportunity to ask case-specific questions. Please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Jane Wehrmeister at JaneW@speakupnow.org.
Drop-In Small Group
Wednesday, August 14
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 Open Topic Small Group
Thursday, August 15
5:30-7:00 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Boardroom
Please join us for a Juvenile Justice Open Topic Small Group to discuss your case with peers. Although the discussion will consist of Juvenile Justice-related topics, all CASAs are welcome to join and participate. RSVP to Juvenile Justice Advocacy Supervisor Jessica Miller at JessicaMi@speakupnow.org.
San Pasqual Academy (SPA)
Tuesday, August 20
5:30-7:00 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
Interested in hearing what SPA has to offer your case child? Voices for Children and SPA invite you to a presentation highlighting all of the benefits and programs at SPA. The presentation will also include best practices for CASAs, how SPA HHSA social workers may differ from other HHSA social workers, and how to best address general and common concerns. Please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Shanda Arredondo at ShandaA@speakupnow.org.
Juvenile Justice Basic Advocacy Training
Thursday, August 22
5:30-7:30 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
Are you assigned to a dual-status case? Do you want to learn more about the juvenile justice system and how to support youth on probation? This session will teach you how to navigate the juvenile justice system and how to advocate for youth on probation. Please RSVP to Juvenile Justice Advocacy Supervisor Jessica Miller at JessicaMi@speakupnow.org. If you are unable to attend this training but are interested in learning more about VFC’s Juvenile Justice pilot program, please email Jessica.
Court Report Workshop
Tuesday, August 27
10:00-11:30 a.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
Whether you are a new CASA coming up on your first court report or a veteran in need of a refresher, this workshop will review our court report process and provide individualized support for your specific report. Feel free to bring along your case documents, notes, and a laptop or tablet computer to help you leave with a more complete report. Reservations are required. RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Bonnie Robinson at BonnieR@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2221.
Drop-In Small Group
Wednesday, September 11
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.
Mental Illness in Youth
Tuesday, September 24
Noon-1:30 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
In this Continuing Education session, we will discuss early warning signs of serious mental illness in youth, the difference between psychosis and pre-psychotic symptoms, evidence-based practices for treatment, and where to refer affected youth. Please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Victor Cuevas at VictorC@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2275.
Open Topic Small Group
Tuesday, September 24
5:30-7:00 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Boardroom
Join us for an open topic small group meeting to discuss your case with peers and an advocacy supervisor. All CASAs are welcome. Please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Charlotte Agostinelli at CharlotteA@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2222
At-Home Continuing Education
Kristina Elston, our outgoing Juvenile Justice Program Manager, recommends these online trainings. The National Gang Center’s video, Why Youth Join Gangs, addresses the reasons children join gangs and the behaviors and circumstances that you might observe when interacting with youth at high risk of joining a gang. The National Children’s Alliance’s Addressing Youth and Children with Problematic Sexual Behaviors is a two-hour online training that provides an overview of youth with problematic sexual behaviors, discusses a coordinated response, presents the characteristics of evidence-based mental health treatment for problematic sexual behaviors, provides guidance on engaging community stakeholders, and aims to dispel myths and misconceptions about youth with problematic sexual behaviors. You will need to register online for this free training. If you view either of these trainings, read a relevant book, or watch a relevant movie or TV program, please contact your advocacy supervisor to receive Continuing Education credit.