The Campaign for 3,000 Children
Through a detailed strategic planning process, CASA of Los Angeles has determined that there are
12,000 children
living in foster care in Los Angeles County who have an immediate need for a CASA volunteer.
In order to reach these significantly increased numbers, CASA/LA is launching a widespread marketing and fundraising campaign to serve 3,000 children and youth in the next three years for its first phase.
Through this three-year campaign, we will nearly triple the number of youth served to 3,000 in FY2023, increasing the number of new recruits to 1,000 new volunteers each year. In order to do this, we need sustainable funding from individuals. For more information about funding opportunities, please visit
www.CASALA.org/Threeto3000
or contact Marie Carpenter at
mcarpenter@casala.org
.
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CASA IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Understanding Mental Health
When:
Tuesday, August 4 at 12-2 PM
Where:
online via Zoom
Continuing Education Hours:
2
Court Report Writing
When:
Thursday, August 20 at 12-2 PM
Where:
online via Zoom
Continuing Education Hours:
2
Super Special Education
When:
Wednesday, September 2 at 12-2 PM
Where:
online via Zoom
Continuing Education Hours:
2
Suicide Prevention
When:
Wednesday, September 9 at 12-2 PM
Where:
online via Zoom
Continuing Education Hours:
2
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If you are interested in watching a recorded video of a past training that you missed, reach out to Betsy Ann Mudd (
bmudd@casala.org
). We may have what you are looking for!
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Virtual Early Childhood (EC) Training
This training is a unique opportunity to take a deep dive into the topic of early childhood. You will gain an overall understanding of early childhood development and the factors that influence developmental outcomes. The EC training will address how you can use a developmental lens to support and advocate for the unique needs of young children who are in the court and welfare system.
The training is six modules; three are self-paced online and three modules are live via Zoom.
For the Zoom sessions you must have a camera and microphone. Class size is limited and prior registration is required. Participation in all six sessions is mandatory.
Module 1: Online reading
Module 2: Zoom (Wednesday, September 9, 10 AM-1
PM
)
Module 3: Online reading
Module 4: Zoom (Wednesday, September 16,
10 AM-1 PM)
Module 5: Online reading
Module 6: Zoom (Wednesday, September 23,
10 AM-1 PM)
Facilitators:
Lauri Halderman, program manager, early childhood; Rosa Arevalo, advocacy team manager; and Ben Miller, advocate supervisor
Continuing Education Hours:
12
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SAVE THE DATE
CASA/LA 2020 Virtual Convening:
Advocating for Young Children in Child Welfare
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Elisa Nicholas, MD, MSPH, CEO The Children's Clinic
Keynote:
Friday, October 16, 12-2 PM
Collaborating with Parents Panel:
Friday, October 23, 12-2 PM
Social/Emotional Development of Young Children Panel:
Friday, October 30, 12-2 PM
Mark your calendars!
Information about how to register for this event will be available soon.
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BOOK CLUBS
C
oastline Book Group
Where
: Online
When
: Tuesda
y, September 15 at 1:30-3 PM
We're Readin
g
: "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride.
San
Fernando Valley Book Group
Where
: Online
When
: Tuesday, September 8 at 7 PM
We're Reading
:
"The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander.
Want to host a book club?
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CASA/LA Share + Support is an opportunities for CASAs to meet and discuss shared experience with their CASA youth.
This Share & Support will focus on mental health. Topics that will be discussed in the group include: barriers and successes with mental health in the foster care system and mental health specific resources and strategies.
When:
Tuesday, August 18 at 1-3 PM via Zoom
*click on the image to print a PDF of the flyer
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The Justice Jog Virtual 5k/10k QuaRUNtine Challenge
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It's been a rough few months so let's get active and come together for a fun virtual QuaRUNtine Challenge for CASA/LA! Please join us for this year's
Justice Jog Virtual 5K/10K QuaRUNtine Challenge
which will take place between August 29 - September 26, 2020! Virtual runs are meant for you to complete at your convenience and at your own pace. You can run, walk, bike, swim (or other fitness activity of your choice) and raise funds now through 9/26 to win prizes. Register today so you can get your runner's kit to get started.
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Merch from our Theta Friends
Get some cute CASA swag from our friends at Kappa Alpha Theta and all proceeds will be donated back to us! The Theta organization has been supporting national CASA programs for many years and we are grateful for this partnership.
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Community Drives Our Advocacy
Did you know you can dedicate your birthday, anniversary, wedding, host an event or organize workplace donations to raise funds for CASA/LA? When a CASA volunteer contributes financially or engages their network to give to CASA/LA, that gift is extra special in many ways. It adds a dimension to all you are giving as a volunteer already contributing at the highest human level as an active child advocate. It sets an example and it invites others to support your activism.
Our campaigners have done some pretty amazing things to raise money for our advocacy. Basically you can do anything! Start your campaign today to tell the world you believe in the CASA/LA organization and its mission to activate community volunteers on behalf of children who are the most vulnerable and at-risk in our county.
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We are highlighting our incredible Wine+Art artist community through a special artwork auction hosted through eBay. Since we’re all spending more time than usual at home, now is the perfect time to purchase a beautiful piece to cheer up that empty wall! Take home a painting by Nancy Rosen, the artist behind Frankie's brush in Netflix's "Grace and Frankie," and a series by Robert Standish.
Sales end Saturday, August 9
th
at 11:59pm
so get your bids in today!
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We have Donations at the CASA Office!
Please reach out to your advocate supervisor to schedule a time for a social distant pick up at the CASA office. Some items we have on hand: backpacks, hoodies, quilts, and handmade fabric masks.
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Scholarships Available for Playwriting Summit
Playdate Theatre has offered free scholarships for up to six CASA youth who wish to participate in their upcoming
teen summit
. The summit
will take place from August 9-15 online via Zoom and is specifically for students entering 10-12th grades.
The goal of the summit is to encourage teens to explore writing and
creating, to connect them with peers of similar interests, and to introduce them to the wonders of the theater world. Young writers will not only develop their own short play, but get to learn with industry professionals, collaborate with their peers, and have fun.
Summit Schedule:
Sunday, August 9th at 4-5 pm
Monday, August 10th at 8:45-10:05 am
Tuesday, August 11th at 8:45-10:05 am
Wednesday, August 12th at 8:45-10:05 am
Thursday, August 13th at 8:45-10:05 am
Friday, August 14th at 8:45-10:05 am
Saturday, August 15th at 8:45-10:05 am
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Registering Your Youth to Vote
- If youth are 18 or older on Election Day, they are eligible to vote.
- In California, youth who are 16 or 17 can pre-register to vote, meaning they will automatically be registered when they turn 18.
CASAs can play an important part in ensuring your young person as a voice in upcoming elections. As a CASA, you can encourage your young person to register to vote and help them find non-partisan information about elections, candidates and issues. While you can encourage research and dialogue, you cannot tell your young person how to vote or which party to register with.
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You can visit our
website
for the most up to date version of our court report writing handbook and templates for your court report.
In-service trainings on this topic are held quarterly.
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CASA/LA cares about the well-being of our advocates. As a volunteer, you have access to our
EAP program for
anonymous telephonic counseling.
Company code: CASAOFLA
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Join the CASA resource forum in
Muut to search/share resources, communicate with other CASAs, ask questions, and get updates. Read the following
Instructions to begin.
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Visit
Litmos
to access webinars on transitional age youth, early childhood, etc.
Look in your advocate email for an invitation from CASA/LA or contact your supervisor.
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Take a look at our
volunteer handbook for any CASA/LA policies regarding anything from conflict of interest, mandatory reporting, boundaries, or posting on social media.
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"
Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society
."
-John Lewis
,
(civil rights leader, US Representative)
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