NEWS
Thank you to Yessenia and Mariah for giving a fantastic presentation on CAL Hope Accounts available to our youth. This was such an informative in-service, if you’d like to learn more about it please click here!
Art & Wine
Art Meets Advocacy:
Championing Youth in Foster Care
Sunday, November 8, 2026
The Beehive, Los Angeles
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Join us for Art & Wine, one of CASA of Los Angeles’ most beloved traditions, bringing together art, community, and purpose in support of children and youth in foster care.
This year’s theme, Art Meets Advocacy: Championing Youth in Foster Care, will feature a curated collection of established and emerging artists, exceptional wines, live music, and a special live performance by internationally recognized pop culture artist Rob Prior, known for his incredible dual-handed painting.
Come experience an unforgettable evening, discover inspiring art, and connect with a community committed to making a difference.
Join us where art meets purpose; and together, we Champion Every Child.
100% of proceeds support CASA/LA’s advocacy for children and youth in foster care.
Click here to see more details about this connection opportunity!
Join us in the Antelope Valley for a fun day with Loteria games and CASA connections! Click here to RSVP!
Thank you to everyone that came to our Happy Hour at Arts District Brewing Company! We had a great time connecting, chatting, and sharing stories. We had folks that had been CASAs for years and some that had met their youth earlier that day. Hope to see you at our next event!
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
Welcome to our new CASAs!
We’re so excited about our recent CASA graduates, we had a few graduations, two in our Monterey Park Office, and one in our Antelope Valley offices. Thank you to all for your hard work and dedication throughout training! ❤️
Volunteer Voices: Jordan Silva
This month, we’d like to give a huge shout-out to Jordan Silva! Jordan is the incredible volunteer behind the scenes who helps us bring our volunteer stories to life each month.
Jordan joined us in April 2019 and provided advocacy for five children during her time with us. She completed two traditional advocacy cases and three Essential History cases, making a meaningful impact on the lives of the children she served.
What inspired you to become a CASA volunteer?
I first learned about CASA in 2018 when I mentioned to a coworker that I was looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity in Los Angeles. He told me that his wife was a CASA, and I arranged a time to speak with her and learn more about her experience. I was deeply inspired by our conversation and by her passion for advocating for foster youth, so much so that I signed up for the next available CASA training.
What was a highlight for you?
I think the most meaningful part of my experience was getting to know the unique qualities and personalities of each of my CASA youth. Despite the difficult circumstances they faced, each child was incredibly special, and I loved having the opportunity to recognize and celebrate their individual strengths. I especially enjoyed writing court reports and highlighting those strengths, knowing that my words would be reviewed by the judge and could help ensure that each child’s voice and needs were heard. I will carry their stories for the rest of my life!
When the Essential History Program came to an end, Jordan found another way to continue supporting CASA. She began connecting with our volunteers and helping share their experiences by writing their stories for our Buzz newsletter and social media posts. Her dedication has helped us celebrate and highlight the incredible work of our volunteers each month. Now, Jordan is beginning an exciting new chapter as she starts a doctoral program in education!
What have you enjoyed most about helping tell our volunteers’ stories?
CASA volunteers are truly some of the most caring people in Los Angeles, I’m sure of it! I’ve loved getting to know our volunteers, hearing what inspired them to become a CASA, and celebrating the meaningful wins they’ve experienced with their youth. As someone who loves to write, it has been especially rewarding to help bring their experiences and stories to life and share the incredible impact they’re making.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate and share the experiences of CASA volunteers?
I think it’s important to celebrate and share volunteers’ experiences because their stories show the real, human impact of the work. Volunteers often make a difference in ways that may seem small in the moment but can be incredibly meaningful to a child over time. Sharing those experiences helps recognize and appreciate their dedication, while also inspiring others to see themselves as capable of making a difference.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a CASA volunteer?
I’d say: do it! You don’t have to be an expert or have all the answers to make a difference. The training is so well designed and will leave a long-lasting impact on you. What matters most is your willingness to show up, listen, build a relationship, and be a consistent advocate for a child. If you’re looking for a way to make a tangible difference in a child’s life, I can’t think of a more meaningful way to volunteer.
Jordan, we are so grateful for all the time, commitment, and talent you have shared with CASA/LA. We are so excited for you and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in this next chapter! Congratulations!
TRAINING
Other Training Resources
Logging Continuing Education Hours
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:
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.
DMH + UCLA Training Calendar
UCLA’s PMHP provides over 250 trainings available at no cost via the DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center. These include self-paced recorded trainings, live Zoom sessions with continuing education credits, and structured learning pathways designed for various service providers such as case managers, clinicians, nurse practitioners, housing specialists, peer providers, and substance use specialist
Learn more and view thier training calendar here.
California CASA Academy
This new platform replaces the California CASA E-Learning Center and offers more than 75 courses for both volunteers and staff. All courses count toward your 12 hours of required annual Continuing Education (CE) Hours.
Learn more and create an account here.
Need More CE Hours? Come to Educational Advocacy Workshops!
Second Thursday of every month, in-person at our CASA/LA Office! Check out the In-Service calendar to sign up for the next one.
Navigating the educational needs of a youth can be challenging, but we’re here to provide support!
Each month, our CASA, Dennis will present on a specific topic related to educational needs. When attending you can learn about best ways to advocate for a youth in that related topic and stay during the Q&A to share about your case needs.
This is a great way to earn continuing education hours as well!
In October we will cover: Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. It is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties. It affects males and females nearly equally as well as, people from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds nearly equally. The impact that dyslexia has is different for each person and depends on the effectiveness of instruction or remediation.
If your assigned youth experiences reading challenges or if you are just interested in learning about dyslexia, you are invited to attend the in-person Educational Advocacy Workshop scheduled for Thursday, October 8.
Upcoming Session: October 8th, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: 201 Centre Plaza Drive, Suite 1100
Monterey Park, California
Resources to Support Advocacy
Sign Up for a 1-1 Consultation with an Education Attorney
Date: September 30th, 2026
Time slots: 9am, 10am or 11am
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.
Steps to schedule a consultation:
- Check your availability: Confirm that you’re available on the clinic date and during possible appointment times. Tentatively mark these on your calendar
- Gather education documents: collect as many documents as you can from the last two years of your young person’s educational history
- Complete the consultation form
- Look out for a confirmation email
Note: Appointments are limited and scheduled on first come, first serve basis. Submit your form early to secure your spot.
Where: Zoom
REGISTER by completing consultation form
Contact Aimee Borrayo with any questions
New Volunteer Resource Hub
Click here to view our new shared resource folders. Our directory of resources will now live in these new folders. Only new and time sensitive resources will be listed in the Buzz.
Click here to submit your own resources. Submissions will regularly get added to the resource hub.
Housing Navigation for TAY
Next Office Hour- Tuesday, October 13th, 12-1pm.
Need support advocating for your CASA youth?
Connect with Public Counsel’s Transition Age Youth (TAY) Team. They provide free, civil legal support to youth ages 16–26 who have experienced foster care. Their areas of expertise include: Housing & Family law, Public benefits advocacy, Education and more. Learn more about the team here.
Register to join a virtual drop-in session with attorneys from Public Counsel to:
- Ask questions specific to your youth’s situation
- Understand their legal rights
- Explore available services & referrals
Please reach out to Aimee Borrayo with any questions.
Jenette bras, in partnership with local CASA chapters, offers an in-person bra fitting, a well-fitting bra, and underwear of their choice, all free of charge. Eligible youth can take advantage of the program once a year! Learn more here.
Free Things to do Around LA!
Free Museum Days in LA
Every month, museums across Los Angeles offer free entry on specific days. Find out more here.
Touchstone Indoor Rock Climbing
Free YMCA Membership
Kids ages 12 and older are eligible for free YMCA memberships at locations across Los Angeles County until they turn 26. Additionally, resource families living within the service areas of the Antelope Valley YMCA or Weingart South Los Angeles YMCA are eligible for free one-year memberships. YMCA facilities can also be used as visitation sites, offering a safe and welcoming space for families.
Click here for the application!
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.
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.
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
Workshops for Youth in Antelope Valley Hub
Workshops for Resource Parents at AV Hub
Classes for Youth in AV Hub
Connection
Are you interested in connecting with other CASAs? Prefer to do it one-on-one instead of in a group setting?
Sign up for Coffee with a CASA! You’ll be put in contact with another CASA also interested in connecting. Together, you can decide if you want to hop on a call, text, meet up in person – no coffee necessary.
CASA Connections
CASA Connections are intended to be positive social experiences that encourage CASAs to connect and build networks of friendship and support.
These spaces are all about sharing ideas, offering encouragement, and working together to find solutions using a strength-based approach. While it’s a great space to talk through challenges, it’s essential to keep the focus constructive and always protect the confidentiality of the children and families we support.
CASA Connection: Newly Appointed CASAs
How are you doing on your CASA Journey?
- Connect with other volunteers that are in a similar place in their advocacy journey.
- Reconnect with peers from your cohort.
- Look for resources, we can try to provide tools for you to use.
- Receive some guidance, we can give insight on how to handle a challenging situation.
- Share a success, we can celebrate with you!
Next Meeting: On Pause – thank you for your patience!
CASA Community Connection
CASA Contact
Aimee Borrayo
Manager of Volunteer Engagement
Hi everyone!
Consider me a friendly resource; whether you’re looking for a little extra support, want to chat about how things are going with your team, are curious about trying a different volunteer role, or just need someone to listen. You’ll be hearing from me now and then about connection events, but please don’t wait for an invitation!
Book Groups
Coastline Book Group
When: October 20th at 7pm
Where: CASA’s home in Santa Monica
We’re Reading: TBD
RSVP: contact Lisa Baskin (ba*****@*******al.net)
*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.
San Fernando Valley Book Group
When: TBD
Where: CASA’s Home in SFV
We’re Reading: “Letters to My Younger Self: An Anthology of Writing by Incarcerated Men”
RSVP: Contact Renne Bilson (rj******@*ol.com)
* Space is limited to those with completed Covid-19 vaccinations
Support casa/la
Become a Monthly Donor
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
- 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
Emotional Support for CASAs
We care about your well-being. All volunteers may access our EAP program for anonymous counseling.
Click here to learn about the CASA/ LA Benefits EAP for volunteers
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.