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 Volunteer Holiday Party, Wine+Art Tickets On Sale & Auction LIVE, Hike with CASA/LA & More
TRAINING
Three Upcoming In-Services, Last IEP Clinic of the Year & More
CONNECTION
Holiday Grief and Loss Connection, Other Connections & Book Groups
YOUTH RESOURCES
Push for Peace Program for TAY, UCLA Football Games, Birthday Cakes for Youth & More
SUPPORT CASA/LA
“Ultimate Advocate” Opportunity, Express Info Sessions, Become a Thrive Donor & More
KEY GUIDES / LINKS
Litmos, Handbooks, Emotional Support, Antelope Valley Community Hub & Much More
NEWS
RSVP to Attend Our Volunteer Appreciation Holiday Party (12/3)
Join CASA/LA for Our November Hike! (11/17)
11th Annual Wine+Art Tickets ON SALE and AUCTION LIVE NOW
We hope to see you at the 11th Annual W+A event on November 2, 2024 at The Beehive. Tickets still available. If you can’t attend, but still want to participate, please check out the Art Auction which is LIVE NOW.
Save the Date: 13th Reimagine Gala
Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Reimagine Gala, coming up on May 2, 2025, at the iconic Biltmore Hotel.
Want to help make this event a huge success? Click here to join us as a sponsor.
We are still looking for committee members to help plan. Click here if you are interested in learning more.
CASA Volunteer "Suggestion Box" is Live!
Mandatory Continuing Education Guidelines & New System for CASAs
CASA volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education each year to support their advocacy. We have launched a new system for tracking continuing education (CE) entirely in Litmos.
Click here to view the recording of the In-Service Training – CASA CE 101: Requirements, Tracking, and Logging Hours. This recording will provide an overview of everything you need to know about the new system AND it will count towards your continuing education hours.
If you need more background information, help logging into Litmos, or have other questions, please review the following guide documents:
Monthly CASA Crush
t//LATristan Bulatao first heard about CASA in her freshman year of college when she was volunteering with Peace4Kids. By the time she was old enough to become a CASA, she had years of academic and volunteer experience working with kids who had experienced trauma of various types. She was eager to make a deeper impact as she believes that “It’s incredibly important that the next generation has people in their corner advocating for them and consistent adult figures in their lives who are going to go to bat for them. So often we see kids that are born into environments outside of their control who then have to navigate these systems without the proper support systems in place which is not fair.”
After a first case that involved advocacy for a young girl with a lot of special ed needs, Tristan was paired with Jackson a little over a year ago. When they first met, Jackson was 16 years old and had just been released from juvenile hall and placed in a resource home with multiple other teens. He had already been moved around numerous times from his first contact with the dependency system at age two. Tristan’s first goal was to make this new placement stick. Given that the caregiver has multiple youth with open dependency cases in his care, he needed some extra support to continue to provide for Jackson. Advocating for resources for this caregiver has been one of Tristan’s central roles and the result has been that Jackson hasn’t had to move again the entire time that she has been his CASA.
The biggest hurdle that Tristan has faced in her advocacy has also been the area where she’s seen the most change in Jackson: his willingness to let her into his life. When they first met, Jackson wasn’t that open to having a CASA as he is generally not quick to trust people or open up to them. This is for a reason; in the time that Tristan has been on the case, she has already seen numerous rounds of turnover of the professionals on Jackson’s team. In their first few meetings, Tristan would continually say that she wanted to be there and nothing that he said or did would make her stop coming unless he decided that he didn’t want her there. With time, he started to open up to her and it made a big difference for him to know she’s not paid to be there. Jackson now feels safe to share stories and show emotion with Tristan. He knows that she won’t judge him for anything and they can always work together to figure out a solution.
Tristan’s advocacy over the past year has also included everything from taking on educational rights to speaking with Jackson’s school’s football coach to try to make an exception for him to be considered for the team. With regard to his education, he moved schools and suddenly had a lot more difficulty getting the support he needed. Tristan has had to bring in an education rights attorney and a foster youth liaison to help her push through multiple amendments to his individualized Education Plan (IEP). On top of this, she and Jackson are also working with the Independent Living Program (ILP) to prepare for his 18th birthday and try to get him his first job. Tristan is also the one to make sure Jackson has an appropriate whether he needs glasses or has a cavity. The advocacy can sometimes feel like it’s two steps forward and then one step back, but it’s worth it when Tristan can see tangible changes in Jackson’s life.
Apart from all of the serious stuff, Tristan and Jackson love spending time together, whether they’re getting In N’ Out, walking around the mall, or playing basketball. Tristan shared that, while Jackson won’t be funny in front of most people, he is always cracking her up. She admires that, even though he’s been through hurdle after obstacle after hurdle, he’s still so funny. Jackson is incredibly resilient and always does his best with the situation in front of him.
Reflecting on her CASA experience, Tristan shared that her CASA youth have inspired her to push for things that are needed and not be afraid to walk into a room and have the tough conversations that are needed. She always wants to set a good example for Jackson so he knows that, regardless of the situation, you always have a voice that you can use to make a difference and advocate for yourself.
Earlier this year, Tristan joined the staff at CASA/LA and she is now the manager of our Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Program in addition to being a CASA! PEI is CASA/LA’s specialized program dedicated to supporing foster youth ages 12-20. The program has connections to various youth centered trainings and support groups as well as access to other resources such as credit unions, teletherapy, housing assistance, and employment and education assistance. The goal of our program is to ensure our transitional age youth (TAY) and nonminor dependent (NMD) populations are supported and connected to whatever resources they may need as they make the transition to early adulthood.
If you are in need of any additional support navigating resources for your youth, please feel free to reach out to Tristan or fill out this information request form. Thanks for your full time advocacy for our youth, Tristan!
Nominate a CASA Crush
Know a CASA volunteer who deserves a shoutout and/or has a great advocacy story to share? Use this form to nominate a future CASA Crush feature!
TRAINING
Upcoming In-Service Trainings
Other Trainings & Resources
IEP Consultation Clinic is Back for the School Year!
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 a skilled education attorney to get informed legal advice on your young person’s education and guidance on action steps. Please note, this is not an in-service training to learn about IEPs and education.
We are limited to 3 time slots per month. In order to reserve an appointment, you must have all your youth’s available education records for the last two years, including at very least the most recent IEP as well as any assessments. These documents this will provide the attorney with the information needed to make thorough assessments regarding your case. Once all 3 time slots are filled we will begin a waitlist.
When: Wednesday, 12/4 @ 9am, 10am, 11am
Where: Zoom
Strengthening Child and Family Teams Through the Indian Child Welfare Act & Tribal Engagement Training (11/19)
Check out this virtual training from UC Davis and the Department of Social Services on 11/19, 1-3pm.
Training Description:
Join us for a webinar focused on the integration of tribal engagement within California’s Child and Family Team (CFT) practice. This session will explore best practices outlined in the 2024 CFT Tribal Engagement Guide, which highlights the essential role of culturally responsive, trauma-informed practices for Indian children, families and Tribes. Participants will learn about the legal requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in the CFT process, strategies for fostering collaboration between child welfare services and tribal governments, and methods for supporting cultural connections for children and families.
Click here to learn more and register!
Online Resources from the Foster Together Network
The UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence is excited to share a collection of resources for child welfare professionals, generously supported by Pritzker Foster Care Initiative. Available on the Wellbeing for LA Learning Center, this curated collection includes handouts (also available in Spanish), videos, and online trainings that utilize evidence-based behavior management strategies and resilience-promoting parenting skills to reduce placements for children in LA County’s welfare system and promote family and individual development.
Learn more and view all available resources here.
Create an account and view resource library here.
California Training Institute Trainings Available Online
California Training Institute (CalTrin) offers a range of helpful trainings to the public. We encourage you to check out the following different types of offerings they provide:
Connection
CASA Connections
CASA Connections are intended to be positive social experiences that encourage CASAs to connect and build networks of friendship and support.
NEW: Grief and Loss CASA Connection -- Preparing for the Holidays
What: For many, the holiday season is full of joy, laughter, togetherness, traditions, food, family and friends. But, for those who have experienced the death of one or multiple family members, the holidays season can be a painful reminder that their family member is no longer here. Compounding the situation for some of our CASA youth, they may have entered the child welfare system due to the death of a family member and are experiencing the loss of their family. As a CASA, it is important to notice changes in your CASA child or youth, establish open communication with them, and let them know that it is okay to feel sad, angry, lost, even conflicted. As a CASA, you can play a vital role in helping them process their grief and/or honor their loved one. This aspect of advocacy can be particularly draining for CASAs, especially if you have your own difficult associations with loved ones passing or the holidays.
When: Thursday, November 7th at 5:30pm
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: Tuesday, 11/12 at 5:30pm
Where: Zoom
General CASA Connection
What: A meeting for any CASA interested in connecting with and/or getting support from other CASAs!
When: Tuesday, November 12th at 5:30pm
Where: Zoom
Education Advocacy 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: Thursday, November 221st, 5:30pm
Where: Zoom
LGBTQIA+ CASA Connection
What: A new space for CASAs who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as CASAs working with LGBTQIA+ identifying youth. We’re working on scheduling our next meeting — stay tuned! If you’re interested in joining a future meeting or need support in the meantime, please reach out to Isabel Bloom.
When: TBD
Where: Zoom
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, November 19th, 7pm
Where: CASA’s Home in SFV
We’re Reading: “Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family and Social Class” by Rob Henderson
RSVP: Contact Renne Bilson (
rj******@ao*.com
)
* Space is limited to those with completed Covid-19 vaccinations
Coastline Book Group
When: Tuesday, November 12th, 1pm
Where: At a CASA’s home in Beverwil
We’re Reading: “Another Place at the Table,” by Kathy Harrison
RSVP: contact Jeanne Irving (
ji*****@ad************.org
)
*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.
Youth Resources
New Resources
Push for Peace Program for Youth Ages 15-24
The Dream Live Hope Foundation presents the Push for Peace Program for transitional age youth and nonminor dependents ages 15-24.
This program equips youth with tools and presenets classes on topics related to emotional intelliigence, conflict resolution, and financial literacy.
UCLA Football Community Relations Games - Fall 2024
The UCLA Athletics Community Relations program was developed to foster mentoring relationships between UCLA Athletics and youth in the surrounding community. By providing children with the opportunity to experience a glimpse of college life, the program aspires to build positive relationships and motivate young people to achieve in school and life. To this end, Bruin coaches, student-athletes and staff members have been busy interacting in the community and speaking as UCLA ambassadors through our outreach programs, detailed below. Learn more about which program your youth may qualify for here.
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.
Calkids Money for College Starting at Birth
At birth, babies born in California on or after July 1, 2022, are automatically enrolled, regardless of parental income. Those born between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, receive $25, while those born on or after July 1, 2023, receive $100, thanks to increased state funding. An additional $25 is awarded for parents claiming their account in the online portal, and $50 more for linking a ScholarShare 529 account to their CalKIDS account, totaling up to $175. Information provided by Cal Kids Impact Report. There is a separate School Age program for children in low income families, foster care or unhoused starting back in 2021-2022 school year. Both programs, amounts and eligibility can be found at the CalKids website below.
Comprehensive Education Toolkit
Click here to view and download the Alliance for Children’s Rights Comprehensive Education Toolkit for Youth Who Are Systems Involved.
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.
Free Admission to Kidspace Children's Museum
The Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena is offering FREE ADMISSION for CASAs and their youth!
Tickets must be reserved ahead of time by using the link below. Upon arrival, all CASAs must show their CASA ID in order to enter.
Museum Hours:
Monday to Sunday – 10am to 5pm
Any Questions, Contact Isabel Bloom
Free Custom Singing Stuffed Animals for Children in Foster Care
The company Mama Sing My Song provides free custom singing stuffed animals for children in foster care.
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.
Networking Opportunity for Women in the Arts
The Southern California Women’s Caucus for Art is a networking organization for women in the arts. They offer a broad range of events, opportunities, and programs including exhibitions, activism, and community building.
They are currently accepting new members and would like to invite any CASA youth who’s interested in art and would like to connect with other women sharing the same passion. The membership fee for one year is $75; however, they have scholarships available which would cover the membership fee.
For questions or to join, please contact Cathy Engle-Marder (SCWCA Memberships Director).
Paid Mental Health Survey for Black Trans Youth
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
Refer a Young Person to Specialized DCFS LGBTQIA+ Services
As a part of DCFS’s growing DEI initiatives, DCFS is offering referrals for specialized services for our LGBTQIA+ youth. You can find the community provider referral form and the youth self referral form linked below.
Support casa/la
Invite a Friend to an Express Info Session Today!
- November 7-10:00 am-11:30 am: Virtual info session
- November 12- 12:00 am- 12:45 pm: EXPRESS Virtual info session
- November 16- 10:00 am- 10:45 am: EXPRESS Virtual info session
- November 19- 5:00 pm- 6:30 pm: Virtual info session
If you would like us to host an info session in your community please reach out to OT Mosley-Bremond (director of volunteer recruitment).
Buy a perfectwhitetee "you are perfect." Sticker to Support CASA/LA
Giving Tuesday is just a month away!
Coming Soon: In recognition of Giving Tuesday, December 3, we’re excited to launch our first-ever “Ultimate Advocate” Fundraising Challenge! Don’t miss your chance to make an impact, show your competitive spirit, and support children in foster care. From CASA staff and volunteers to board members and corporate partners, everyone will create their own fundraising page and go head-to-head to see who can rally the most support! The top fundraiser will earn the title of “2024 CASA/LA Ultimate Advocate” and take home a custom WWE-style championship belt.
Stay tuned for an email in the next week!
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.
More Ways to Give
- Make a donation in lieu of gifts to friends, colleagues and/or clients and receive holiday cards. Details coming soon.
- 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.
Key guides & links
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.
Our AV Community Hub is Open!
We’re thrilled to announce the opening of our new CASA Antelope Valley Community Hub, designed to offer a welcoming environment for children and families while supporting and enhancing the work of our dedicated CASAs. The hub provides a range of services including workshops, educational support, training resources, one-on-one support sessions, monitored visits, and a safe space for building a support network.
- Location: 1202 W Ave J, Lancaster, CA, 93536
- Hours: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
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 Employee Assistance Plam for anonymous counseling. 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!