Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS

Executive Director, Riverside County

Rewind

Digging through the vast collection of his father's home videos, a young man reconstructs the unthinkable story of his boyhood and exposes vile abuse passed through generations. This documentary is available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.

If you have watched this documentary at any point after July 1, 2022, please alert your supervisor to be credited with 1.5 of your 12 required hours of Continuing Education!

This is a young lady who has been waiting for a long time for a CASA. She is living in Victorville, in San Bernardino County, so this would be a remote case* where your visits are done with the use of technology. She needs an advocate to talk to the professionals on her case and write a thorough report about her needs for the Court.

*Remote cases are offered as second cases to CASAs who have been with us for more than 6 months, have shown they have dedicated time and commitment to their first case, and have the bandwidth to take a remote case.

Maribel is a 16-year-old girl with multiple behavioral concerns. She lives in Victorville and her Courthouse is Riverside. Maribel has been raised by her father and is in reunification with him due to medical neglect.  Her father kept her sheltered, including home schooling, and Maribel will not do anything without his consent. There are many difficulties with this case and Maribel needs a strong advocate. She has been in the same placement since September 2021. 

If you are interested in learning more about Maribel, or taking another case, please contact your Advocacy Supervisor.

Today, there are hundreds of children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties waiting for a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer to speak up for them. Tomorrow, more youth will enter the foster care system.

You can help create a brighter future for them, today! Help us move 100 vulnerable youth off our waitlist from now until May, which is National Foster Care Month.

As a supporter of Voices for Children, you know the profound impact a CASA can make on a child in foster care. We invite you to take five minutes and recommend a caring friend, family member, or co-worker to become a CASA volunteer. Feel free to submit multiple recommendations!

CASA of the Month

Congratulations to our CASA of the Month, Shelly Henderson, who joined our program in 2019! Learn more about CASA Shelly and how she continues to go above and beyond to support youth in foster care here.

Five-Year Anniversaries

This month we are giving a shout out to two very special volunteer who have just reached her fifth year as CASAs with Voices for Children!

Robyn Harmon, a Palm Desert resident, has been working with her youth for the duration of her five years of CASA service. Robyn has seen this kiddo through many milestones, most recently including getting her driver license and graduating high school. We are so grateful for your dedication to your case child and to VFC. Congratulations, Robyn! 

Stephen Smyth, a resident of Temecula, joined us in 2018. He has served two dependent youths and helped them both through many trials and tribulations. Stephen's most recent case child was relocated out of Riverside County, but Stephen continues to remain a consistent advocate for his needs. Even more impressive is that Stephen has recently completed a doctoral program in clinical psychology, all while taking on the great responsibilities of the CASA role. Thank you, for all that you do, Stephen!

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, The Roost Lounge in Cathedral City, and its foundation are sponsoring two fabulous events to take place on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. The proceeds from the morning’s brunch, bonnet parade, and basket auction, and the evening’s dinner, live auction, and comedy show will all benefit Voices for Children. Their goal is to raise $50,000 to recruit, train, and support 25 CASAs in Riverside County.

To ensure both events are a success, they are seeking event sponsors, fun baskets to auction off during the brunch, and in-kind donations for the auction. If you know of a business or individual that may be interested in supporting either of the events, please contact Brianna Miller. And of course, you are all invited to join in the fun. Come for brunch, come for dinner, come for both! See fliers for additional details. A huge thank you to The Roost Foundation and our very own, CASA Roger Reil, for bringing this idea to fruition.

Fabulous Funders

Last month, Voices for Children partnered with local Modern Woodmen of America representative, Melissa Monroe, for a matching campaign. During the week of Valentine’s Day, all donations received, up to $500, were matched. We were able to meet the matching goal and raised over $1,000 during the “Give With Heart” campaign. A sincere thank you to Melissa and Modern Woodmen for your commitment to community and your belief in our mission. 

If you learn of a grant or other funding opportunity, please contact Brianna Miller at BriannaM@speakupnow.org. 

Each month will be hosting Small Group sessions both in person and virtually. 

Please feel free to attend the format with which you're most comfortable. Please also keep in mind that you must attend three Small Groups each year as part of your Continuing Education requirement!

Small Group: The Child Welfare System- Myths and Assumptions About Youths and Families

Join Advocacy Supervisor, Alfred Williams, for a discussion about the myths and assumptions about youth and families involved in the child welfare system. It is common to assume that every dependent youth struggles with mental health, parents are involved with substance abuse, or that domestic violence is prevalent in every household. Come prepared to debunk these widespread misunderstandings, and discuss ways your role as a CASA has changed your perspective on the system. Send your RSVP to AlfredW@speakupnow.org so he knows to expect you. 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 3:30pm-5:00pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 852 5010 4603
• Passcode: 986304

Small Group: Communicating with Families

In most instances, our roles involve connecting with individuals beyond our case children. Often we are communicating with biological parents, foster families, extended relatives, and more. Join Paloma Quiroz to discuss tips and tricks for effectively communicating with your child's family members and building collaborative relationships. RSVP to PalomaQ@speakupnow.org to let her know you'll be attending.

Thursday, March 23, 2023; 4:30pm-6:00pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 854 9126 9080
• Passcode: 195407

Quarterly Book Club: Spilled Milk

Next month, Alysa Deane will be hosting a Small Group to discuss the novel, Spilled Milk by K.L. Randis. Based on a true story, this book follows Brooke, a battered child who makes an anonymous phone call about the escalating brutality in her home. In her pursuit of safety and justice, Brooke battles a broken Court system that pushes to keep her abuser in the home. Find the hardcover, Kindle, and Audible version of this amazing read on Amazon. Bonus: Attending this Small Group will provide continuing education credit for both reading the book and attending the meeting! Make sure to send your RSVP to AlysaD@speakupnow.org to save your spot.

Tuesday, April 18, 2023; 8:00am-9:30am

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 843 3697 7025
• Passcode: 347231

Scheduled CE Workshops

How Regional Centers Support Youth with Developmental Disabilities

Wednesday, March 1, 2023; 12:00pm-1:30pm

Event presented by California CASA

California’s regional centers provide service coordination and other critical support to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout their lifespan. This webinar will provide an overview of the regional center system and helpful tips for navigating it on behalf of court-involved youth.



For more information and how to register, click here.. Don't forget to let your Advocacy Supervisor know once you have completed the session!

Dependency Law Updates

Wednesday, March 8, 2023; 12:00pm-1:30pm

Event presented by California CASA

Each year we have the opportunity to hear from attorneys Allison Cruz & Georgina Dews on updates to dependency law. We invite CASA staff and volunteers to join us who want to learn about updates to dependency law over the past year. This session will be fast paced and review changes to statutes and case law.



Register here and make sure to let your Advocacy Supervisor know once you've attended.

Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences

Friday, March 17, 2023; 9:00am-12:30pm

Event presented by Children's Fund Inc.

This workshop will focus on the ACEs study: what it is, what it found, and how we can apply this to whole-person healing and wellness. We will discuss the inter-generational trend of trauma, how this can lead to higher risk for some populations, common outcomes, and how to interrupt those outcomes and help children make the shift toward healing.

Register here and make sure to let your Advocacy Supervisor know that you completed the training!

Supporting Youth Who Struggle with Self-Harm

Event presented by Voices for Children

Thursday, March 30, 2023; 2:30pm-4:00pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 871 1853 3844
• Passcode: 962794

Do you work with a youth who self-harms? Join Nicole Boettger and Riverside University Health System Behavioral Specialist, Marybel Buchler for a live discussion on ways to support your case child and learn about why they engage in these behaviors. Send your RSVP to NicoleB@speakupnow.org to reserve your spot!

"The gift of service leads to a life of love."

~Mary White

Voices for Children | 951-472-9301 | www.speakupnow.org