Welcome to the Buzz, CASA/LA’s hub for volunteer news, upcoming events, resources, and more! View a summary of the page’s contents below and feel free to click to jump down to the section that is most relevant to you. The Buzz is updated monthly and each month’s highlights can be delivered straight to your inbox.
If you have any questions about the Buzz or anything else CASA/LA-related, please reach out to Isabel Bloom, our manager of volunteer relations. Thanks for being an advocate!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS

RSVP for the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon & More

TRAINING

Six trainings & an IEP Clinic

CONNECTION

CASA Connections & Book Groups

YOUTH RESOURCES

Free Coding Camp, Handmade Quilts, Job Training, & More

SUPPORT CASA/LA

Buy a perfectwhitetee Sticker to Donate & More

KEY GUIDES & LINKS

Litmos, Handbooks, Emotional Support, & Much More

NEWS

RSVP NOW for the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Join us as we celebrate and honor extraordinary volunteers doing extraordinary advocacy.We hope you’ll RSVP to join us for a sit down lunch and a chance to connect with the CASA/LA community.
Please reach out to Isabel Bloom with any questions.
Listen to CASA/LA's radio profile on K-Love 100.3
Our own Mika Khan did a fabulous radio interview earlier this month on K-Love 100.3.
Community Conversations at Ora Cafe

 Calling all CASAs, prospective CASAs, and community members! We hope you’ll join us for a community conversation to discuss the dependency court system and the vital role of  CASA/LA. 

 

No RSVP necessary.

Thanks for another great Glamour Gowns and Suit Up!

 Over 300 kids in foster care showed up to the LA Convention Center for our Glamour Gowns & Suit Up event this March 9 to receive complimentary formal wear and self-care items for the milestones in their life. Our deepest gratitude goes to all our sponsors & volunteers – especially CASA Bekah Martinez, who raised over $20k for CASA/LA with a personal fundraiser! We couldn’t provide this experience to youth in care without our community, and we can’t wait for next year’s event!

Join Us for the Reimagine Gala - Get Your Ticket Today

On May 10, we are hosting the 12th Annual Reimagine Gala at the famous Beverly Hilton Hotel. The evening promises to be incredible fun with delicious food, live music from The Divas and Drummers of Compton, & a live auction with one-of-a-kind items. 

Grab your ticket here!

 

We are looking for unique items for our gala auction!
Our goal is to raise $1.1M for CASA of Los Angeles, and we’re on the hunt for incredible items for our silent (or live) auction: tickets to concerts, luxury hotel stays, unique experiences, gift baskets, and more! Your generous donation would mean the world to us!

Monthly CASA Crush

Meet Tracey Garvin!

Meet Tracey Garvin!

Tracey had been interested in becoming a CASA for years, so when she started preparing to retire, she signed up for pre-service training and was sworn in by the time she was done with work in March of 2020.

After finishing up a short challenging case working with a youth aging out of the system right at the start of the pandemic, Tracey was assigned to then nearly 6-year-old Zoe. When they first met, Zoe was moving around a lot and was having a hard time with the transition to virtual school. Her grades were suffering and her school reported that she was especially struggling with attention span, reading, and math. 

The court asked Tracey to be Zoe’s educational rights holder and she gladly accepted as she hoped to help Zoe get the support she needed to get back on track at school. Within the first semester as an ERH, Tracey was able to get Zoe assessed, and in turn, qualified for an individualized education plan (IEP). It took a lot of persistence on Tracey’s part to make sure that Zoe was getting every last bit of the educational help that she was entitled to and that she was requalified for assistance each year. Fast forward to today, Zoe is in the third year of her IEP and her grades have greatly improved. She has now been able to thrive with less and less support at school.

Tracey’s other main area of focus has been serving as a conduit between all of Zoe’s adult connections and the professionals who are available to support her. Zoe has now been stable and happy in the same home for three years and Tracey has been able to develop a trusting relationship with Zoe’s resource parent. Tracey explained that the resource parent, “knows that I’m available and that I’m consistent and will follow through.” As Zoe begins to enter her tween years, many of the adults working with her report that “challenging behaviors” are starting to present themselves. Tracey is now making sure that she’s in regular contact with Zoe’s therapist and that every CFT meeting focuses on how she seems to be doing emotionally. From Zoe’s teachers to her resource parent to her therapist, everyone knows that if something’s going on, they can count on Tracey to be responsive and have Zoe’s interest at heart.

After reaching this point of relative stability, things became complicated in recent months as one of Zoe’s biological parents became a placement option again. This uncertainty has started to bring out a lot of emotions in Zoe. Tracey shared that it’s a constant balancing act figuring out how much to clue Zoe into what’s going on with her placement and how much to protect her from every little detail. Tension between Zoe’s resource parent and biological parent has made navigating her placement options more complicated. Tracey’s main goal moving forward is to build a stronger relationship with Zoe’s biological parent, so that she can be a more trusted go-between for both parties as they work to figure out what is best for Zoe. 

In the meantime, Tracey will continue to attend all of Zoe’s dance recitals and visit her after school. Each summer, she’s able to take her on outings and help her connect to camp opportunities. While Zoe has largely kept quiet about her trauma and how she really feels about things, she is beginning to open up more to Tracey, especially during their quality time together. Her hope is that the more she sticks around, the more Zoe will feel comfortable to be honest with her and lean on her as needed. Tracey noted that she tries her best to always listen to Zoe, but knows that what she really needs is to be connected with professionals who can help her process her emotions, along with long term adult connections who will be there for her indefinitely. When asked what is most impressive about Zoe, Tracey shared, “her ability to weather so many changes,” really stands out. Additionally,”she’s a smart, joyful and loving girl. Despite everything she’s been through, she continues to work hard and have optimism for the future.” 

Thanks for your advocacy work, Tracey! Good luck to you and Zoe as you continue to grow together!

TRAINING

Upcoming In-Service Trainings

Register for our First In-Person Early Childhood Training Since 2020!

Come gain an in-depth understanding of the unique needs of young children (0-5) who are in the child welfare system. Participants will learn how early childhood trauma can influence developmental outcomes, the importance of relationships in the development of young children, how to build protective factors for young children and their families/caregivers, and helpful resources to aid in advocacy work.
This training is comprised of six modules that build upon each other.                      
Completion of all six modules is recommended to get the most out of this training.  Space is limited so register early!
SCHEDULE
Module 1: Online (before module 2)
Module 2: Wednesday, May 15 9am-12pm in CASA Monterey Park Office
Module 3: Online (before module 4)
Module 4: Wednesday, May 15, 9am-12pm in CASA Monterey Park Office
Module 5: Online (before module 6)
Module 6: Wednesday, May 15, 9am-12pm in CASA Monterey Park Office
Continuing Education Credits for CASA/LA Volunteers & Staff: 12 hours
Registration Deadline: Tues, May 7
RSVP via email to Lauri Halderman

Other Training Opportunities

Sign Up for a 1-1 Consultation with an Education Attorney

CASA/LA is hosting an IEP consultation clinic with the help of the Alliance for Children’s Rights. This clinic is an opportunity to consult one-on-one with an education attorney to get guidance about your young person’s education.

Appointments will be scheduled on a first come first serve basis. Click on the link below to review the complete appointment request process and submit an appointment request. You will receive a follow up email when your appointment has been confirmed.

When: Wednesday, April 24th, 9-10am, 10-11am, and 11am-12pm

Where: Zoom

Contact Isabel Bloom with any questions

SIGN UP for UCLA Pritzker Speaker Series

The UCLA Pritzker Center is hosting a 3-part speaker series, From Mandatory Reporting to Mandatory Supporting: An Educational Series on Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Healthcare. 

The series features a range of experts from UCLA and the community, including a survivor voice. One of the panels will also be facilitated by a CASA/LA board member!

This training series is designed for social workers, FFAs, healthcare providers, advocates, therapists and others involved in child welfare and related systems. Continuing Education (CE) credits will be provided to live-session attendees. 

With generous support from the Blue Shield Foundation of California and the UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence, this series is free and open to the general public!

Connection

CASA Connections

CASA Connections are intended to be positive social experiences that encourage CASAs to connect and build networks of friendship and support.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) CASA Connection

What: This is a space for CASAs working with a youth who is CSEC-involved or at-risk in any way. We come together for peer support, resource sharing, learning, and community. After joining a meeting, one CASA shared,

“I felt so supported being in a space with CASAs who immediately understood the unique joys and challenges of this work. When I get discouraged or intimidated by what my youth is up against, my CASA Connection peers lift me up.”

When: Monday, April 8th at 6pm

Where: Zoom

⇒ Register Here ⇐

General CASA Connection

What: A meeting for any CASA interested in connecting with and/or getting support from other CASAs!

When: Monday, April 15th at 6pm

Where: Zoom

Register Here

Educational Rights Holders CASA Connection

What: Join this CASA Connection led by CASAs with many years of special education experience. The group is here to help talk through difficult issues and create community for CASAs advocating for their youth’s rights to an education.

When: TBD

Where: Zoom

Register Here

Book Groups

Book clubs are independent of CASA/LA and are organized by and for volunteers. Join to discuss topical books with fellow CASAs!

San Fernando Valley Book Group

When: Tuesday, March 12th at 7:00pm

Where: At a CASA’s home in Studio City

We’re Reading: “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride

RSVP: Contact Renne Bilson (rbilson@advocatecasala.org)

* Space is limited to those with completed Covid-19 vaccinations

Coastline Book Group

When: Tuesday, May 14th at 1:00pm

Where: At a CASA’s home in Marina Del Rey

We’re Reading: “Troubled,” by Rob Henderson

RSVP: contact Jeanne Irving (jirving@advocatecasala.org)

*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.

Youth Resources

New Resources

The Code to Grow Foundation: FREE 2-Week Coding Camp

One of our community partners, The Code to Grow Foundation, is a non-profit that provides year-long coding and mentorship opportunities to youth ages 9-14 in underserved communities and school districts in order to advance coding education through equitable access.

 

They are offering a FREE two-week coding camp at PlanetBravo this upcoming summer and have offered us 10 slots for any CASA youth who are interested in learning how to code. Lunches can be provided based on need and request, and transportation can be secured through Hop Skip Drive.

 

If you are working with a youth between the age of 9-14 who might be interested, please use the link below to apply!

My Story Matters Scholarship for 12th Grade Students

From the Plus Me Project: “the My Story Matters Scholarship was created to encourage high school students to write and share their own personal narratives. The IMPACT scholarship will honor five seniors whose reflection on their life experiences has inspired them to impact their community. Recipients may use funds without restriction to support their life goals. Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000.”

Deadline to apply: April 5th, 2024

 

Click here to learn more and view the application form

Pick up a Handmade Quilt for your Youth

Contact your supervisor if you haven’t yet gotten a quilt from the office for your youth. Once you pick one up, please complete the thank you note that comes with the quilt. You can take a picture of the note or scan it and email it to Lauri Halderman 

Ongoing Resources

Baby2Baby: Resources for Pregnant or Parenting Youth and Young Children

Talk with your advocate supervisor about requesting diapers/wipes and other baby supplies through CASA/LA from Baby2Baby. All orders must be placed by CASA/LA staff.

If your CASA youth is expecting and at least 6 months pregnant, please speak with your Advocate Supervisor about requesting a Welcome Baby basket.

Coffee with a Cause

Transitional age youth (TAY) and non-minor dependents (NMD) aged 16-24 can apply to apply for this job training cohort to learn soft skills and get connected to paid internships in coffee, retail, construction, and landscaping.

  • 4/1: Application deadline
  • 4/1-4/12: Interviews
  • 4/15-4/26: Orientation and Soft Skill Training
  • 4/29-7/31: Primary Internship PeriodMay: Mentor Assignment (youth get a volunteer mentor for 1 year)
    5/1-7/31: Internship Extension/Job Searching Period

Learn more on the Coffee with a Cause website here

Find the youth application here

For Goodness Cakes: Treats for Youth Birthdays and Graduations

For Goodness Cakes is a collective of professional bakers who volunteer to make cakes for youth facing adversity. They’d love to make a cake for your CASA youth! See their FAQ part 1 here and FAQ part 2 here. Reach out to your advocate supervisor to ask them to request a cake for your youth. 

A Home Within: Free Therapy for CASA Youth

A Home Within – CASA Therapy Project is a collaboration with A Home Within and CASA of Contra Costa County. CASA youth are eligible for free teletherapy services if they are ages 12-24 and have mild/moderate mental health needs. 

For more information, click here. 

Please share the referral form and youth flier with your youth’s CSW.

Language Line

Use Language Line to speak with monolingual individuals on your case. Call in to the service to request an interpreter for the language that you need (out of 290+ language options), or seek help determining the language for which you require translation. View this guide document for call-in instructions.

Support casa/la

Buy a perfectwhitetee you are perfect. Sticker to Support CASA/LA
Our gratitude goes out to CASA volunteer Jennifer Menchaca, co-founder of the apparel brand perfectwhitetee. She’s named CASA/LA as the beneficiary of the brand’s inaugural you are perfect. campaign. $1 of the sale of each of the you are perfect. stickers will be donated to CASA/LA!
Become a Monthly Donor

Just as consistent advocacy is vital for the well-being of the children we serve, the reliable financial support from Thrive monthly donors is essential to our ability to train, recruit, and support more CASA volunteers.

Monthly donations are crucial to buffering our organization from the ups and downs of life, ensuring that there is no lull in service to the youth we serve.

Help us sustain our transformational programs through a monthly gift.

 

Click here to join us now

More Ways to Give
  • Use your Ralphs Rewards Card to earn donations for CASA/LA.
  • Donate your car, boat, RV, or motorcycle with Helping Hands Charity Services.
  • Host a community drive.
  • Consider CASA/LA in your planned giving.
  • Invite others to become CASA volunteers.

Click here to get started

Litmos: Access Past Trainings

Visit Litmos (linked in training section above) for webinars on transition age youth, early childhood, and more. Contact Isabel Bloom with any questions.

Muut: CASA/LA's Resource Forum

Join our resource forum Muut to search/share resources, communicate with other CASAs, and ask questions. Read these instructions to begin.

ETO: CASA/LA's Database

Need help with ETO? No worries, we got you covered. If the advocate handbook doesn’t have your answer, you can email the ETO helpdesk. Additionally, we have a recorded ETO training available on Litmos.

Court Report Writing Resources

Check out our court report writing handbook and templates. Find a court report writing training on Litmos. We also hold quarterly in-service trainings on this topic.

Emotional Support for CASAs

We care about your well-being. All volunteers may access our EAP program for anonymous counseling.

Grief Resources

CASA/LA is connected to numerous resources and organizations to help support you through grief. We care about your well-being. All volunteers may access our EAP program for anonymous counseling. Additionally, on April 24th, Cal CASA is hosting a virtual training on understanding grief. Otherwise, please reach out to your advocate supervisor for individualized support or to Isabel Bloom to learn more about specific resources and/or upcoming events.

Volunteer Handbook

Read our volunteer handbook for policies covering everything from conflict of interest and mandatory reporting to boundaries and posting on social media.

CASA Shop

Want to get your own CASA/LA swag?

Our CASA Shop will have you looking good and supporting our cause all at once. It’s a win win!