Mark your calendars now... ART IN THE BARN
Spring crafts, festive food, an egg hunt, and a special guest appearance by the EASTER BUNNY!

When:
Saturday, April 6
Where:
Santa Maria

More info to come!

A limited number of tickets available...
The Lobero Theatre Foundation’s Tickets InReach program has extend a special invitation to CASA volunteers and their child for  IT’S MAGIC!  matinee performance and special pizza and ice cream reception on Saturday March 23. Pizza reception begins at 1 PM, and performance begins promptly at 2 PM. There is only a limited number of tickets available. To reserve your tickets, please contact Advocate Supervisor Tristin Sherman at 805.456-5982 or email [email protected]

IT’S MAGIC!  is America’s longest-running magic revue, which is celebrating 20 years at the Lobero Theatre. Each performance features an all-new lineup of top illusionists direct from exotic showrooms and Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle. It is appropriate for children school-age and older who are ready to be amazed!
Important change of plans...
POSTPONED

Due to potentially bad weather and other logistics the CASA Whale Watching trip has been postponed at this time.

We know, BUMMER!

It's a favorite for volunteers and children so we hope to have a confirmed date soon.

Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Invites will be emailed soon!
March is Social Worker Month
National Professional Social Worker Month is a great time to reach out and say thank you to the social worker for their contributions to your child's case. If you have a social worker who goes above and beyond please nominate them for CASA's 2019 Social Worker of the Year Award. Cast your vote for Social Worker of the Year
The ducks are coming...
Thank you for your feedback
Last month we asked about the value of having a quarterly Saturday Volunteer Meeting Option. The response was:

  • Yes it would be great
  • Best in the morning and 4 hours is good (6 is too much)
  • You loved the idea of hearing from foster youth, the attorneys, experts on parents and service providers.

We are going to be asking for more information about locations and dates coming soon (please let us know what you think). Our plan is to have the first one in September.

Case Closing Surveys
When your case closes, you will receive a link from your Advocate Supervisor to complete a case closing survey. This feedback has been invaluable in helping us learn about your individual experience and look at ways we can make sure we are good stewards of our most valuable treasure.... Volunteers like you.

Don't want to wait to let us know how are doing- email us any time: [email protected] or [email protected]
Take our CASA swag gift survey...
If you could pick your own CASA swag what would you choose?
Clothing Apparel- shirt, sweatshirt &
Coffee mug, sports bottle & tumbler
Necklace with CASA logo
CASA Lanyard for your badge
CASA Challenge Coin
Stationary- notebooks, pins & folders
Grocery bag or tote
I'd prefer a personalized thank you note or certificate of appreciation
Continuing education
March meetings will be on the topic of Mental Health service providers in Santa Barbara County.
For many youth, the long-term effects of trauma, neglect, and abuse incur significant mental health consequences. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Mental and behavioral health is the largest unmet health need for children and teens in foster care.”

Join us and hear from local service providers and discuss best practices for advocating, monitoring, and evaluating your CASA child and their need for mental health services.

MEETING DATES
Santa Barbara - March 12 - noon-1PM
Santa Maria - March 13 - noon-1PM
Lompoc - March 13 - 5:30-6:30PM
Please remember that It is important that we receive your RSVP either by telling your advocate supervisor that you will attend or by responding on the link in the email. We want to make sure we order enough lunch/snacks to serve all CASA volunteers, without spending $$$ unnecessarily
Other continuing education opportunities

Robin Allen (Advocate for the Quality Parenting Initiative and Former California CASA CEO) for a discussion about CASAs role in ensuring every child and youth in foster care receives the parenting they need to heal and thrive. This webinar will cover the practical ways CASA programs and volunteers can ensure every child receives excellent parenting. We will discuss the ways CASA can integrate the values of Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) and Quality Parenting into their daily practice including: strategies for supporting and encouraging relationships between resource parents and birth parents, advocating for the resources that will support excellent parenting, ensuring that any transition is responsive to the needs of the child/youth, modeling honest and transparent information sharing among other practices and encouraging the inclusion of parents as partners in all decision making.

To complete the training send an email to your advocate supervisor with a short summary of your takeaways and questions. This counts for 1 hour of Continuing Education. Be sure to record your hours. (just click on the link and you're there)
Help us recruit more CASA volunteers!