SFCASA August Newsletter

Join Us a Member of SFCASA’s New Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT)

SFCASA has been selected as one of six local CASA programs to participate in a pilot program that leverages a volunteer’s perspective and experience and their influence as a constituent to speak up about challenges and policies impacting the child welfare system. SFCASA is seeking two advocates to coordinate with two SFCASA staff members to co-lead a small group from the SFCASA community who want to meet with their local elected officials and legislative staffers to share about what works and what does not work for children, youth and families navigating the foster care system. Volunteer co-chairs and staff members will form a team for the upcoming legislative cycle and receive training and support under the leadership of California CASA. Please reach out to Director of Programs Erika Dirkse or our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Eduardo Mayorga to learn more about this new opportunity and how your passion, knowledge and skills can positively impact more youth!

YOUth Empowerment Board Openings!

SFCASA’s YOUth Empowerment Board is happy to announce that we will be looking for TWO new members to join the team! We are looking for current or formerly system involved youth between the ages of 16-24 to work closely with our Transitional Aged Youth Specialist for the next 9 months! YOUth participating on the board will earn a monthly stipend of $500 and spend about 15-20 hours a month sharing their expertise, building community, educating others on various systemic barriers, and addressing financial burden by awarding $500-$2500 grants! Please view the application to see the full job description. Youth interested in applying can do so here. The deadline for applications is August 7^th, 2023 . Please reach out to our YOUth Board at [email protected] OR our TAY Specialist & Case Supervisor Theodora Liebhart at [email protected] for any questions!

Youth who identify as black or black multi-ethnic are ENCOURAGED to apply; Work Experience NOT necessary! Geography should not be a barrier—we will make every effort to work it out

UPCOMING EVENTS

Advocate Appreciation Party

We've missed you and can't wait to celebrate all you do for SFCASA's youth! You and a guest are invited to our Advocate Appreciation Party on Wednesday September 13th at 6:00 PM for dinner, drinks, raffles, and community! Questions? Email Jennifer: [email protected]. RSVP HERE.

Advocate Spotlight

Robin Nakao

Robin first started her journey as a CASA 2 years ago and jumped right in to support a non-minor dependent who had just turned 19 years old. Throughout her 2-year journey with this young adult she supported him through various placement changes, did research on several job- training programs the NMD expressed interest in, and most recently helped him understand and navigate the world of tax forms. Even with his case closing in March due to turning 21 years old, Robin continued to work with him and his team in the role of a natural support to ensure he had secure housing and in filing his taxes. Just a few weeks ago, the NMD was able to move in to his transitional housing placement and complete his 2022 tax return with guidance from Robin and the Foster Youth Tax Project!

Robin and this young adult have an amazing relationship built on trust and their love of movies. She is patient and understanding of him learning how to navigate adulthood and was someone he and his team could rely on to get things done. They often would attend court hearings together during her time as his CASA and she always had something to share around the great things he was accomplishing despite the challenges he was experiencing. No matter where he was placed or what was going on, she continued to go the distance to support him!

ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES FOR YOUTH

MoMagic & BMagic Backpack Giveaways

Mo Magic is hosting their 14^th Annual Back to School Celebration. There will be food, kids activities and more! The event will be held on Saturday, August 5^th from 11a to 2p at Ella Hill Hutch Community Center located at 1050 McAllister St in San Francisco.

SF CASA is excited to announce that we have partnered with B Magic for their 20^th Annual Back to School Celebration and Backpack Giveaway. We hope to see you on Saturday, August 12^th from 11a to 2p at NOW Hunters Point, 155 Jennings Street in San Francisco. If you cannot attend the event, but your youth still needs school supplies, SF CASA can reimburse you for the purchases. Make sure you save your receipt and check in with your Case Supervisor.

Planned Parenthood Health Clinics

Planned Parenthood will be at HYPE the following dates to facilitate sexual health workshops. July 13th, Aug 10, Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9.

HYPE Center

Empower Me Academy

SFCASA has partnered with Empower Academy to offer a 50% discount on their sport clinics this summer! Empower Academy is a social enterprise youth basketball organization, provides enrichment programs for athletic excellence to students from kindergarten through highschool and all socioeconomic backgrounds. EMA teaches all the skills and fundamentals, then step in at opportune times during classes to take advantage of great teaching moments, which accelerates their development and growth potential. This helps them become a more confident and positive leader in a changing world.

Our coaches have designed these sessions to push and motivate your child to become a better athlete and person. They will thrive on powerful encouragement, positive reinforcement, and carefully planned drills. Check out the clinic dates here.

Free Horse Riding Lessons

SFCASA has partnered with Brady Therapeutic Riding to offer low-key, safe and fun sessions learning about horses. Youth can come, hang out and decide what they want to do: volunteer-type activities (grooming, saddling horses, cleaning stalls) and/or get on the horse for a riding lesson, and/or a combination of the two! Brady Therapeutic Riding is located on the SF Zoo campus, and helps youth learn about being present, letting go of stories, and being aware of their body via relationships with gentle rescue horses. There are no foster youth labels or jargon at “Hanging with the Horses”, just a time and space to learn, grow and heal.

SFCASA covers the cost of sessions. Introductory sessions are on Sunday mornings, after which times can be scheduled on afternoons W-F, and Saturdays. Please contact Program Manager Sue Lockyer ([email protected]) for more information or to get started with “Hanging with the Horses”.

SFCASA Go-Bags

for youth experiencing placement instability

Providing a GO-Bag to a young person who is experiencing placement instability can help to reduce their risk of harm. Each bag/backpack contains a Clipper Card, GrubHub gift card, solar phone charger, toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, and sanitary wipes. There is also a card with important phone numbers (you can help them add their own) so they can reach out for help and stay in contact.

If the youth you serve is homeless, couch surfing, has a pattern of leaving their placement, or has indicated they may leave their placement - please give them a GO-Bag. The goal is to support them with basic needs as they figure out where they can safely stay. You can schedule to pick up a GO-Bag at the SFCASA office during regular office hours by contacting your Case Supervisor.

Thank you for partnering to help increase youth safety!

Educational Advocacy

Back to School Reminders

It’s almost time for the new school year! There are some exciting events to kickoff this upcoming year! Check out our Start of the School Year Checklist. This is where you can find information as it pertains to Back to School Advocacy. We are hosting a CE of the same name. Please join SF CASA’S Educational Advocacy Specialist and Case Supervisor to explore best practices and resources to better support your youth as they transition to a new school year via Zoom on August 1 at 6p. Register here.

Andromeda Math Partners

Andromeda Math Partners’ Fall Registration is now OPEN! The New Student Registration Form is available in English and Spanish. If your young person has difficulty in math or simply wants to sharpen their math skills, Andromeda Math Partners is an excellent resource. Check out tutoring information on here.

Transitional Age Youth (TAY)

Corner

The Boys and Girls Club is Hiring!

Is your youth looking for a job? The Boys and Girls Club have many positions open, and would love to give a SFCASA youth an opportunity to apply. You can check the job postings here. If you have any questions on the positions please email [email protected].

SparkPoint at CCSF

SparkPoint at CCSF supports students by bridging the gap they experience when they attempt to connect to the numerous campus resources and services. We intend to help improve access and navigation to student essential resources available to foster students' academic success and economic prosperity at City College of San Francisco.

Resources for Advocates

New Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Forms

It’s finally happening! In August we will implement new confidentiality and conflict of interest policies and forms specific to your assigned case(s). You will be receiving these forms from Adobe Sign. Thank you in advance for your swift completion and submission of these forms! In the meantime, please reach out to Director of Programs Erika Dirkse with any questions.

Educational Disparities Series

Just in time for the upcoming school year, California CASA is hosting an Educational Disparities Series. This is a great way to earn some CE credits. Register here “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools” Movie Event, August 9^th at 12p. An Educational Disparities Panel will be hosted on Wednesday, August 30^th from 12p-2p. Register here.

Continuing Education for Advocates

BACK2SCHOOL ADVOCACY

Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 6-8 PM via Zoom with Alexis Austin, SF CASA’s Educational Advocacy Specialist and Shira Andron of SFUSD. (2 CE Credits)

This CE will help CASAs/ERHs prepare for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year and explore how to support your youth with their academic needs. Join Shira Andron as we explore best practices, foster youth education rights, and resources to support back to school advocacy.

FOSTER YOUTH BILL OF RIGHTS

Multiple dates/times on Zoom (2 CE credits) Presented by The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson

These virtual trainings are instructor-led, interactive classes designed to improve your knowledge about the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. For more information, please check out our website or call The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson M-F 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at 1-877-846-1602

AUGUST 3 @ 5:30 PM - 7:30 P

SEPTEMBER 7 @ 10 AM – 12 PM

HAIR TALES: DEVELOPING AN UNDERSTANDING OF BLACK FOSTER YOUTH’S HAIR-ITAGE AND IT’S IMPACT ON ESTEEM AND EDUCATION

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 from 6-8 PM IN PERSON (SFCASA Volunteer Annex 2535 Mission St., SF) with Alexis Austin, SF CASA’s Educational Advocacy Specialist. (2 CE Credits)

Black hair has been scrutinized since the beginning of time. It is more than a fashion statement or an artistic expression. It is an essential aspect of African-American culture and heritage. Black boys, girls, men, and women all have a story about their strands. The upkeep and/or lack thereof impacts self-esteem and the educational process. Black youth have a unique educational experience. Dress codes have been written that banned certain hairstyles; hairstyles worn by mostly African-American students. This CE aims to inform, celebrate, and highlight the diversity of Black hair and empower CASAs to advocate for their youth’s needs as it pertains to haircare and the educational experience.

IMPACT OF SEXUAL ABUSE ON CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE & COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN (CSEC) Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Zoom (2 CE Credits) with Dr. Natalia Estassi.

This training focuses on defining sexual abuse, and how to recognize signs and symptoms related to sexual abuse and trauma in children at various stages of their development. Information will be presented on sexual abuse and the traumatic impact it can have on children and adolescents. Examine the connection between sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, reproductive health issues, and how to talk to teens about healthy relationship.

CCN - CASA COMMUNITY NETWORK HUDDLE – August

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM on Zoom (1 CE credit)

The CASA Community Network (CCN) is a network for CASAs, organized by CASAs and hosted by CASAs. We share, lean in and on, and support each other through events, such as The Huddle. Sometimes we learn from expert guest speakers in continuing education sessions. In The Huddle we learn from experts – ourselves – we have collective years of expertise among us. We are a network of support – who better understands the ups, the downs, the joys, the challenges than we do.

HELPING YOUTH TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH (For advocates working with older youth, teens, and young adults )

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 6-8 PM via Zoom with Kidpower (2 CE Credits)

We know that emotional health is as important as physical health. We are safest when we have strategies to take charge of our own emotional wellbeing. In this workshop, we will explore how to adapt Kidpower methods to teach, practice, and reinforce skills to help young people including:

Focus attention on what they can do
Protect themselves from negative beliefs
Understand & manage emotional triggers
Create positive connections & healthy relationships
Set and uphold boundaries
Protect their personal safety

This workshop will include practice methods to adapt to different ages and abilities of youth.

UNDERSTANDING BIRTH PARENT DYNAMICS (WHOLE FAMILILY ADVOCACY)

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 6-8 PM IN PERSON (SFCASA Volunteer Annex 2535 Mission St., SF) (2 CE Credits)

Join us in-person for an evening that addresses Whole Family Advocacy. Advocates will interact and learn from Joey Cordero a parent that has been impacted by the system about the complicating factors of co-parenting vs co dependency while in the child welfare system. This workshop will open up a discussion about birth parents and what they must overcome within the legal timeline.

EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS HOLDER (ERH) WORKSHOP

Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM IN PERSON (SFCASA Volunteer Annex 2535 Mission St., SF) (2 CE Credits)

Join SFCASA and San Francisco Unified School District for our IEP Workshop. We encourage you to bring your youth’s IEP, questions, and concerns as it pertains to the educational needs of your youth. CASAs and ERHs are welcome! You will develop a better understanding of the IEP collaborating, writing, and implantation process. Light refreshments will be served.

Trainings are offered to inform your advocacy,

help you think creatively about your case,

and to build community.

SFCASA Advocates are required to earn 12 CE credits

per calendar year.

Please visit Additional Continuing Education Opportunities for alternative options.

Do you have ideas for future CEs? Let us know by emailing [email protected]