SFCASA February Newsletter

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

SFCASA is hosting a Virtual Panel Info Session to recruit more volunteers. Do you know someone who might want to learn more about being a CASA Advocate?

Please share this information with your friends on your social media:

Facebook post: https://fb.me/e/39Y2j339a

They can register HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

SFCASA Town Hall

Please join the SFCASA Virtual Town Hall on February 13th, 2023 from 6-7:30PM. You will hear from SFCASA staff about the first 6 months of strategic plan implementation as well as learn about what is coming up for the rest of the year. Register HERE

Registration Link in Continuing Education section below

Save the Date!

Torn Apart: A View with Professor Dorothy Roberts

Join us on March 23rd at 5pm at the Bayview Opera House for an evening with Professor Dorothy Roberts. Professor Roberts will discuss her new book Torn Apart, followed by a Q&A period and book signing reception. In-person tickets are free for CASA Volunteers and include a copy of the book. There will also be a virtual registration option. Registration link coming soon!

SFCASA Fostering Change Gala 2023

We hope you can join us for our Fostering Change Gala on Friday, April 28th, 2023. As an advocate, you’re entitled to 50% off on up to 2 tickets. Just use the code CASALOVE50 at www.sfcasa.org/gala to reserve your tickets. Please contact Maggie Swanson at [email protected] if you’d like to reserve more than 2 tickets.

* Advocate Spotlight *

Libbie Schock was sworn in on September 1^st of 2022 and assigned a youth shortly after. In her four-month tenure as a CASA, she has made a tremendous impact on her youth and the youth’s siblings. It is important to Libbie that the siblings and resource siblings of her youth are included. She took the liberty of coordinating transportation to the SF CASA Annual Christmas Party and made sure that the youth who did not have CASAs received gifts.

She balances family time and one-on-one time with her youth. In order to achieve this, she works closely with the CASAs of her youth’s siblings to plan outings and activities. She and her youth spend time reading and baking together. When not visiting in-person, Libbie and her youth hang out virtually to ensure consistency and creatively navigate her youth residing a significant distance from San Francisco.

Libbie has taken the care to embody the entire role of what it is to be a CASA. Her logs are detailed and submitted weekly and her court reports are drafted by the deadline. Libbie’s dedication to the cause and the advocacy of her youth is beyond impressive.

ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES

Healthy Relationship Classes

Shores of Hope hosts a workshop series called Can U Relate? The February cohort will feature classes on building and maintaining healthy relationships.

CSEC Prevention Curriculum Offered

San Francisco HSA-FCS is offering a survivor-led CSEC Prevention Curriculum for young people showing signs of vulnerability of being sexually exploited. Please talk with your Case Supervisor about The Cool Aunt Series if you think the youth you serve could benefit. Learning about CSEC before it happens can dramatically increase safety!

Free Dental Clinic for Children

UCSF is offering a free night clinic for dental services once a month on the first Wednesday of every month for children under the age of 15 that do not have a regular dental provider (dental exams, cleanings, and fluoride varnishes).

Free Tickets to SF Academy of Sciences

Calling all Science Lovers! One of our fantastic Advocates Rudy, has graciously given 25 free tickets for CASAs and their youth to visit SF Academy of Sciences. Please contact [email protected] to request tickets.

Educational Advocacy

FAFSA Deadline

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application Deadline is approaching! Applications should be submitted by March 2, 2023 for priority consideration. Completion of these applications are an important step for students to receive funding for higher education. If you have questions and/or need support around completing the FAFSA, click here and/or contact your Case Supervisor. SF CASA is excited to announce that were are partnering with SF Student Family Division to present FAFSA/CADAA 101 for Foster Youth on February 7, 2023 from 6p-7p. The CE is open to students, CASAs, Educational Rights Holders, and Caregivers. Attending this info session will better equip CASAs to support their young person through this process. You can register here!

Educational Rights Holder

Are you a CASA who is on the fence about becoming an Educational Rights Holder? The title itself can be intimidating, but stepping into the dual role as CASA and ERH can only benefit your youth. Fulfilling both roles will strengthen your advocacy, benefit your youth, and could result in a smaller service provider team for your youth. If you have any questions/concerns around holding both roles, please reach out to the Educational Advocacy Specialist at alexis@sfcasa.org.

Online Sex Ed for Youth in Foster Care 2023

Did you know that all California middle and high school students are required to receive Sex Ed? Foster youth often miss these classes due to placement instability. Please talk with the youth's social worker to learn if they have received this important education. If they have not, they can benefit from this fantastic resource offered by the Reproductive Health Equity Project (RHEP).

Transitional Age Youth (TAY)

Corner

SFCASA Peer to Peer Grants

SFCASA’s Peer to Peer Grant Program is now open! Grant applications are accepted from the 1^st of EVERY month to the 15^th of EVERY month up until April 2023! Grant award amounts are between $500-$2500 for system-impacted youth throughout the Bay Area to address needs such as education, transportation, housing, and more!

Young people MUST apply on their own (advocates, PSWs, etc. are welcome to support but can NOT apply on the young person’s behalf! )
Two paragraphs MUST be submitted in the young person’s application or it will be denied
ALL submitted applications MUST have an invoice to support the amount being requested as youth will NOT be receiving the grant money directly. SFCASA will be paying vendors directly. This means that we will not accept grant applications for smaller requests such as toiletries, clothing, etc. as the funding is a ONE time support and not ongoing.

Please reach out to TAY Coordinator and Case Supervisor, Theodora at [email protected] or 628.867.7373 with any questions!

Free Tax Filing Support for Foster Youth!

Support current and former foster youth to file their tax returns for free! This is the first year of the new CA state tax credit for foster youth, and SFCASA will serve as an IRS VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site in partnership with John Burton Advocates for Youth and United Way Bay Area. Learn more here on the SFCASA website (including a link to an interest form for prospective clients to complete). SFCASA is currently completing preparations to open our site and we will begin reaching out to registered clients during the first two weeks of February. In the meantime please contact [email protected] with any questions.

San Francisco Airport Summer Internship

San Francisco International Airport is initiating a summer internship program giving students experience in various fields like Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, Environmental Planning and ITT.

Deadline to apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as this announcement on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Starting Salary: $33.2750 per hour

Link to apply: 2023 Summer Student Intern Program

Continuing Education for Advocates

FAFSA 101 FOR FOSTER YOUTH

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 6:00-7:00pm on Zoom (1 CE credits) with Ling Busche, SFUSD Student Family Services Division

The financial aid application process may feel daunting but truthfully, there is plenty of support and resources to help us, help our foster youth navigate (both in and outside of school!). This workshop is a starting point for supporters of our foster youth who are embarking on the financial aid application process (which is an expectation for all). Participants will gain a basic overview of the FAFSA/CADAA and have the chance to explore key resources (grants and scholarships for foster youth and services and programs at respective universities) that we can help our students with their postsecondary plans.

TALKING TO TEENS ABOUT MONEY

Monday February 13, 2023 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Zoom (2 CE Credits) with Dr. Natalia Estassi

Many adults have a difficult time talking to kids about money, the same way they might about sex or drugs. Many of the CASA youth you work with may have experienced financial hardships, traumatic histories, multiple placements and have never had the opportunity to save or hope to want to plan for their future. However, talking to kids about the value of money is essential for their survival in the real world. Explore the different do's and don'ts on how to help them on their way to financial independence. Discuss how to help them budget and save their money, how to wisely use credit and how to make money conversations a part of everyday life.

HARM REDUCTION: IT’S NOT JUST FOR RISKY BEHAVIORS

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 at 6-8 PM via Zoom

(2 CE Credits) with Allison Roeser.

During this CE we’ll explore harm reduction as a holistic approach, not only with

risky behaviors, but as a way to engage in many different scenarios to help

youth process their beliefs, statements and attitudes. Participants will hear

real-life examples from other CASAs, highlighting what's worked well and ways

that they've used harm reduction to support their youth. Attendees will also

have the opportunity to speak with other CASAs about their experiences in small

groups, and will leave with clear next steps for ways to engage using a harm

reduction approach.

2023 REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EQUITY PROJECT CONFERENCE THINKING OUTSIDE THE SYSTEMS: RE-IMAGINING HEALTHY SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE

Thursday, February 16th, 2023, 9-5 PM via Zoom (8 Credits) with The Reproductive Health Equity Project for Foster Youth (RHEP)

#RHEPCON23 will bring together an interdisciplinary community to share research, advocacy strategies, tools, stories, arts, and best practices designed to support the healthy sexual development of youth in foster care. Sexual and reproductive health intersects with and influences all aspects of the life of a young person in foster care, including their overall social-emotional wellbeing. No matter what sector you come from – education, workforce, housing, child welfare, health, or advocacy – knowing how to normalize and support the healthy sexual development of young people is an essential aspect of supporting them.

JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMUNITY PARTNERS PANEL

Wednesday February 22nd from 6:00m-8:00pm via Zoom

The Juvenile Justice Partners Panel will provide you with a clearer understanding of the roles of the various participants in the delinquency court process, enhanced by examples of how a CASA volunteer may most effectively work with each party to support the best interests and well-being of juvenile justice involved youth. Please join representatives from the Superior Court of San Francisco, the Public Defender’s Office, the SF Unified School District, and the SF Juvenile Probation Department.

CASA COMMUNITY NETWORK HUDDLE:

VALENTINE'S GET TOGETHER

Monday, February 27, 2023 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in

person at 2533 Mission St. (Training Annex) (2 CE credits)

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. We have heard your recommendations regarding meeting and sharing time with other volunteers. For the month of February the CCN Huddle wants to do something special. On Monday, February 27th, we will meet in person to celebrate Valentine's day together. Please register if you would like to participate. We only have 24 spots. Please join us for drinks, arts and crafts, snacks, and to meet other volunteers.

TEAMING WITH FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS WORKSHOP

Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at 6-8 PM via Zoom (2 CE Credits) with Pamela Hawley of https://universalgiving.org/

The CASA focuses on the youth and equally, we spend time focusing on the support people around them who make a significant difference in their lives. Hear

from a panel of CASAs sharing their relationship building and community engagement efforts with their youth’s team of providers and how that enhances the youth’s life. This will be an opportunity to reflect upon and share your experiences too.

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]

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