Reminders and Deadlines for CASAs
December 2018
November Volunteer Hours
To submit your November 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
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 (Off-site staff meeting; office closes at 10:30 a.m.)
Monday, December 24, 2018-Tuesday, January 1, 2019 (Winter Break)
Monday, January 21, 2018 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
January Birthday Deadline
If you would like to request a $25 gift card for your case child’s Janunary birthday, please click on this link, Birthday Club, to request the gift card no later than Thursday, December 20. Please note that the gift card provider does not accommodate late requests.
Small Group: Working with Younger Children
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
5:30-7:00 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Boardroom
Do you work with younger children and need help navigating behavioral issues, the Developmental Screening and Enhancement Program (DSEP), or visitation ideas? Are you unsure about how to properly advocate for a younger child? Advocacy Supervisor Carly Galbraith will be leading this Small Group meeting to discuss all aspects of working with case younger children, those about 10 and younger. Please bring questions and ideas to share with the group. RSVP to Carly at 858-598-2202 or CarlyG@speakupnow.org.
Drop-In Small Group
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
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, December 13, 2018
Noon-2 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 supporting 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 and Trainer Kristina Estes at KristinaE@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2251. If you are unable to attend this training but are interested in learning more about the VFC’s Juvenile Justice Pilot Program, please email Kristina.
Drop-In Small Group
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
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.
The Real Word for CASAs and Case Teens
Saturday, January 26, 2019
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
The Real Word speakers panel will hold a special discussion exclusively for CASAs and case teens 13 years and up. We especially encourage youth who are at least 15 and a half and possibly interested in serving on the panel in the future to attend. Be sure you and your teen come prepared to ask questions. Snacks will be served. Space is limited. Please RSVP to SabrinaG@speakupnow.org by Tuesday, January 22, to register; include your name and your case youth’s first name. Due to confidentiality, this presentation is not open to family and friends.
Mental Illness in Youth
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Noon-1:30 p.m.
VFC Chesapeake Office: Training Room
Join us to learn how to spot early warning signs of serious mental illness within youth. We will provide you with the difference between psychosis and pre-psychotic symptoms and teach you about evidence-based practices for treatment and where to refer affected youth. Please join Alex Aiello, a therapist with KickStart, an HHSA-funded prevention and early intervention mental health program for youth 10 to 25, will offer tips and tools during this Continuing Education session. Please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Victor Cuevas at VictorC@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2275.
Art Day at The New Children’s Museum
Saturday, February 9
Noon-2 p.m.
The New Children’s Museum
200 W. Island Avenue, San Diego
The New Children’s Museum has invited our children, especially those between ages 5 and 12, to an art-making day hosted by its Teaching Artist team. After the art-making is complete, CASAs and their case children can enjoy the museum for free until 4 p.m. Consider ensuring case children eat prior to the event, as food will not be provided. For parking and public transportation information, please visit the museum’s website: www.thinkplaycreate.org. We are thrilled about this opportunity and hope we can get a large group to attend. Please RSVP no later than January 30, 2019, by emailing your name and your case child’s name and age to CASAkids@speakupnow.org.
North County Small Group
Wednesday, February 13
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Oceanside Civic Center Library
King/Garden Room
330 North Coast Highway, Oceanside
Please join us for our second North County Small Group meeting to discuss your case with peers and an advocacy supervisor. Please RSVP to Advocacy Supervisor Victoria Valencia at VictoriaV@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2220.