SEPTEMBER 2021
CASA News
A Turning At The Helm
With grateful hearts, we say goodbye to Bob Berman who retired from CASA/LA in July, after 7 years of employment. Bob will be truly missed for his skillset and integrity but most of all for being well-liked and enjoyed by all. We will all miss his quick wit and humor. We wish Bob all the best in his new chapter of life. Happy retirement Bob!
Taking the reigns is Edgar Carapetian who comes to CASA/LA with extensive non-profit experience, most recently as the CFO for Counseling 4 Kids. He holds an MBA from the University of Redlands and accounting from UCLA. When Edgar is not working you can find him coaching soccer with AYSO or serving as a board member for Jay Nolan Community Services. We welcome Edgar and look forward to our new journey together. So glad to have you on the team, Edgar!
CONTINUING EDUCATION
CASA/LA IN-SERVICE TRAINING

Early Childhood Mental Health
When: Wednesday, September 1 from 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2

Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers (LADL)
When: Thursday, September 9 from 12-1 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 1

Super Special Education
When: Wednesday, September 15 from 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)
When: Thursday, September 23 from 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2

First Star National STEAM Academy
When: Thursday, September 30 from 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2
If you are interested in watching a recording of a past training, contact Betsy Ann Mudd (bmudd@casala.org). We may have what you are looking for!
Fireside Chat Series - August Edition

On Friday, September 3, join us for a conversation on Foster Care, Education and Covid-19: Supporting Educational Success for Children and Youth During Uncertain Times. Must RSVP to attend. New discussions every 1st Friday of the month.
Community Education

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) 101
When: Wednesday, September 1 at 12-2 PM
Provider: California CASA & California Indian Legal Services
RSVP: register here
CONNECTION
BOOK CLUBS

Coastline Book Group
Where: A CASA's private backyard in Santa Monica*
When: Tuesday, September 21 at 1:30 PM
We're Reading: "Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges" by Mona Delahooke
RSVP: contact Jeanne Irving @ jirving@advocatecasala.org
*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.

San Fernando Valley Book Group
Where: A CASA's private backyard in Studio City*
When: Thursday, September 30 at 7 PM
We're Reading: "Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism" by Barry Prizant PhD
RSVP: contact Renne Bilson @ rjbilson@aol.com 
*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.

Want to host a book club? Contact Betsy Ann Mudd.
CASA CONNECTIONS
Opportunities for CASA volunteers to connect with and support each other.

Early Childhood (0~5) Tuesday, September 28, 5 PM
Middle Childhood (6~9) Tuesday, September 28, 5 PM
Tween (10~14) Tuesday, September 7, 6 PM
Transitional Age Youth (15~17) Wednesday, September 15, 3 PM
Non-Minor Dependent (18~21) Tuesday, September 14, 5 PM
Events
Justice Jog Starts Today!

Who’s excited for the Justice Jog 5K/10K Challenge? WE ARE! And don’t worry, it’s not too late to sign up because you can finish your 5K/10K anytime you like. But you have until September 25 if you want to be considered for prizes like a pair of kicks courtesy of Fleet Feet, In-N-Out gift cards, and more CASA swag! Once you register, we’ll get your CASA kit with t-shirt, finisher medal, cooling towel, and goodies to you ASAP.
For CASA Youth
Want to show your CASA youth some love? Gift them a QUILT!

The South Bay Quilter's Guild has been hard at work sewing up the most beautiful quilts of all sizes for CASA youth. The quilts come with a book too. If you are interested in getting a handmade quilt for your youth please reach out to your advocate supervisor to arrange a pick up at the CASA/LA office in Monterey Park.
Baby2Baby: A resource for diapers and wipes

Baby2Baby is available as a resource if your CASA youth is parenting or if your CASA child is an infant or toddler. Diapers are available in sizes newborn to size 6. Pull-up diapers are currently not available. If you are interested in connecting your youth with this resource speak with your advocate supervisor. We will need to provide Baby2Baby with the following information to complete the monthly order: name of CASA, CASA youth's name, age/gender of the infant/toddler, and diaper size.
Resources for Volunteers
Meet other CASA volunteers virtually for discussion and support. Connections are organized by age of youth served and meet monthly.
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!
You can visit our website for the court report writing handbook and templates. In-service trainings on this topic are held quarterly.
We care about your well-being. All volunteers may access our EAP program for anonymous counseling.
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.
Join our resource forum Muut to search/share resources, communicate with other CASAs, and ask questions. Read these instructions to begin.
Visit Litmos for webinars on transition age youth, early childhood, and more.
Look in your email for an invite from CASA/LA or contact Lynne Gabriel.
Read our volunteer handbook for policies covering everything from conflict of interest and mandatory reporting to boundaries and posting on social media.
CASA of Los Angeles | 323-859-2888 | www.casala.org