We have two winners in the contest to name the newsletter!
We had many great suggestions last month when we asked for your ideas about the title of this newsletter. Two volunteers, Lisa Encke and Rebecca Petersen, both recommended "CASA Connection" - and because that describes exactly what we are trying to do - get you connected with all opportunities and upcoming activities - we thought that was a good fit. It was such a hard choice with so many good ideas!

Now - some of you may be thinking - wait! Isn't that the name of the OTHER monthly CASA newsletter? Well, is was... but we decided to use CASA Connection for your special Advocate update. The other CASA newsletter will now be called CASA Matters. So watch your email for that one as well, for general information and news about CASA that is not specific to our volunteers.
Annual Mandatory Volunteer Training
This year's mandatory training will feature guest speaker Judge Arthur Garcia and a game show style review of CASA policies and procedures. There will be dinner for everyone and lots of prizes for participation!
You can attend any of the training times. If you are unable to attend, we will be scheduling a make up to be help in Buellton in August.
Santa Maria
July 10th, 6-8pm
Santa Maria Bonita School District Offices
708 S Miller St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Santa Barbara
July 11th, 6-8pm
Louise Lowry Davis Center
1232 De La Vina St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Lompoc
July 12th, 6-8pm
1st Presbyterian Church
1600 Berkeley Dr. Lompoc, CA 93436
Please RSVP to your Advocate Supervisor
Summer activities and outings for kids
Just show your CASA badge at any of the following for free admission or bowling!
MOXI, the Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation

Santa Barbara
Rancho Bowl

Santa Maria
Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum

Santa Maria
Questions? Contact [email protected]
Free Hip Hop Dance Classes
FREE dance classes in Santa Barbara
Arts Mentorship Program is offering a free hip hop dance class (Adaptive Dance for kids with special needs and an All Access Class for kids with financial limitations) that meets four times in August concluding in a show. This class is FREE and takes place in Santa Barbara.

For more information please contact [email protected]
Therapeutic Horseback Riding Lessons
We have therapeutic horseback riding lessons available in the Santa Ynez Valley.

If you think your child would be interested, or to learn more, please contact [email protected]

Guitar Lessons
Just in time for Summer
Several CASA volunteers have already claimed some of the scholarships, but we have a few more available!

Each Scholarship is for 6 months of lessons, 1 private lesson each week - amazing!
Email [email protected], for more information
Continuing Education Opportunities
Fostering Futures Discussion Groups

 The Fostering Futures program engages CASA volunteers as advocates for and advisers to foster youth ages 14 – 21. The program is built around the framework of the Fostering Connections to Success Act, to help youth identify supportive, lifelong adult connections, and to develop specific plans for their transition to becoming independent, successful adults.

Santa Barbara:
July 24, 2018
12:00 - 1:00 pm


Santa Maria:
July 27, 2018
12:00 - 1:00 pm

Idea for Independent Study: Gifted
Gifted  is a 2017 American  drama film. The plot follows an  intellectually gifted  7-year-old who becomes the subject of a custody battle between her uncle and grandmother.


Remember - you need 12 hours of continuing education every year and online training is just one of the ways you can meet the requirement.



Please let your Advocate Supervisor know when you complete continuing education hours so that we can record them for submission to the Judicial Council of the State of California.

We would love to have you consider joining the circle of hope! You already do so much as a volunteer - it's hard to ask for more! But, we are trying to build sustainability for all of the programs and activities that CASA offers for volunteers to enrich children's lives. One of the ways we hope to sustain this is by building a "team" of people who will give $20 each month. Will you join us?
Just a reminder - the CASA office is closed on Wednesday for the Holiday - we hope you enjoy yours!!
You can always find all planned CASA events and educations opportunities on the website: