The Connection Newsletter | January 2026 Edition

A Message of Gratitude and Hope for the Year Ahead

Greetings,

Happy New Year! As we close the chapter on 2025, I hope you are stepping into 2026 filled with a sense of peace, profound joy, and renewed purpose. May the year ahead be one of meaningful growth and positive transformation for you and your loved ones.

Reflecting on this past year, my heart is filled with immense gratitude for the extraordinary community that surrounds CASA of Placer, Yuba & Sutter. I am especially thankful for our dedicated volunteers, who are the true backbone of our organization. They generously pour their time, hearts, and energy into serving foster youth and families, often becoming the one consistent, caring adult in a child’s life. Their unwavering passion and selfless commitment inspire me daily, and the profound, life-altering impact they have on these young lives is truly remarkable to witness.

Throughout 2025, our team has been hard at work, driven by our steadfast mission to support and empower foster youth and at-risk families in our community. I am proud to share that in the past year, we served nearly 750 children and youth, offering them vital advocacy, genuine compassion, and the unwavering support they need to navigate challenging circumstances. Each number represents a unique story, a life touched, and a future brightened because someone cared.

As we look with hope and determination toward 2026, I am particularly excited about our continued efforts to expand our programs in Sutter County. Our goal is to ensure that every child in need receives the critical help, mentorship, and guidance they deserve as they navigate the complexities of the judicial and foster care systems. We believe every child deserves a champion, and we are committed to being that for as many as we can reach.

If you are setting intentions and resolutions for the new year, I warmly invite you to consider joining our mission as a volunteer. Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate is a deeply rewarding experience that is life-changing—not just for the youth we serve, but for the volunteers who bravely step up to make a difference. We welcome individuals from all walks of life and provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure you feel confident and prepared for this important role.

Let’s make 2026 a year of collective impact, compassion, and transformative growth—together.

Curious what it’s really like to be a CASA volunteer?

Join us for Coffee with a CASA — where current volunteers share the real moments, challenges, and joys of standing up for youth in foster care.

Yuba Office: Thursday, January 8, at 12 PM

1634 Poole Blvd, Suite 200, Yuba City, CA 95993

Click HERE to RSVP

Placer Office: Thursday, February 5, at 10 AM

1430 Blue Oaks Blvd, Suite 260, Roseville, CA 95747

Click HERE to RSVP

Hear how everyday people step into this role, what the journey looks like, and the impact one committed adult can make.

Ask honest questions
Hear firsthand experiences
Get a feel for whether CASA is right for you
Connect with a community driven by compassion and purpose

Grab a cup of coffee and explore the possibility—no pressure, just support and inspiration.

RSVP today—we’d love to see you there!

Holiday Gift Shop Shines

Our Holiday Toy Shop was a wonderful success! Our goal was to create a joyful holiday celebration where kids and CASAs could come together, allowing the youth to choose their own toys and fill their stockings with cheer—and we’re thrilled to say we did just that!

Over 80 children, families, and CASA staff joined the festivities, which featured a visit from Santa, crafts, cookie decorating, and even a special appearance by the K-9 for Kids therapy dogs. Chick-fil-A graciously provided food for everyone and brought along their two mascots, adding even more fun to the event.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped create such a special holiday memory for the youth we serve.

To everyone who donated, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You created a huge impact on the kids, CASAs, and families we serve. Because of your generosity we were able to distribute over 500 toys!

• The Alliance

• Amy’s Annual Birthday Toy Drive

• Bayside Church

• Bennett's Restaurant

• BodyRok

• Denise Costa and Friends

• Edward Jones

• First Congregational Church of Auburn

• Betty Gadberry

• Gap

• Carmen Gargani

• Jewelers for Children

• Kaiser Roseville Patient Care

• Ron Ladage

• Eliza Lauziere

• Loomis Methodist Church

• Merryhill School

• Ken McGuire

• National Charity League (NCL)

• Realty One Group

• Lisa Rey

• Saint Peter and Paul

• Cody Sloan

• Gertrude Tiangco-Alba

• Ticket to Dream

• Ursula Wiley

• Jodi Wilson

It Happens Here: Join the Fight Against Human Trafficking

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, a time for communities across the country to come together to shine a light on an often hidden issue. Human Trafficking affects millions of people worldwide, including children and families within our own communities. By increasing awareness and promoting prevention, we can help protect those most at risk and support survivors on their path to safety and healing.

This month, we invite you to join the Placer County Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Multi-Disciplinary Team in its outreach and education efforts.

Click HERE for the calendar of events.

Ways to get involved:

• Learn & Share: Help spread accurate information about sex trafficking—its signs, risk factors, and the resources available for help, by watching one of our recommended documentaries, participating in one of our many free trainings, and/or following our social media accounts throughout the month.

• Participate in Events: Several awareness activities, trainings, and events are scheduled throughout the month, including a virtual CSEC 101 training on January 14, a Red Sand community awareness event at Royer Park on January 15, a virtual Caregiver Prevention Workshop on January 21, and "It Happens Here" CSEC Panel of experts community event in Rocklin on January 29.

• Support Survivors: Consider donating, volunteering, or sharing information about organizations that provide vital services to survivors.

• Wear Blue on January 12 in observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Sunday, January 11, to show solidarity and spark conversations.

Together, we can help prevent trafficking, support survivors, and build a community where every child feels safe, valued, and free.

Thank you for your commitment to awareness, advocacy, and action. If you have any questions or would like to collaborate on an activity this month, please feel free to reach out to one of our HTAM planning committee leads below. All event flyers can be found HERE.

Amy Maggard, 530-718-2450, amaggard@placercoe.org

Sarina Pera, 530-320-3736, s pera@placer.ca.gov

Help Strengthen Advocacy in Court

Volunteer as a Note-Taker

Looking for a meaningful and unique way to deepen your impact as a CASA? Consider joining our Court Team as a volunteer note-taker! This behind-the-scenes role plays a vital part in supporting advocacy by capturing key details during hearings—helping ensure each child’s story is accurately represented.

Note-takers must be sworn-in CASAs, but no prior court experience is required. We provide additional training, resources, and ongoing support to help you feel confident and prepared. It’s an excellent opportunity for volunteers who want to engage more directly with the court process and strengthen the circle of support around the youth we serve.

Volunteers must bring their own laptop and commit to one morning or afternoon court shift per month.

If you're ready to jump in and be part of this important team, reach out to Katie at katie@casaconnects.org to learn more.

Volunteer Spotlight

Honoring CASA Janet Rosman

If you are a CASA volunteer, you know just how vital court notes are. Thanks to our dedicated court note-taking volunteers, CASA advocates and staff receive clear, timely summaries of court proceedings—often within 24 hours of each hearing.

At the heart of this effort is Janet Rosman, our Court Note-Taker Lead Volunteer. Janet has served in this role for five years and has been a CASA volunteer for an incredible 12 years. Three days each week, she works behind the scenes, preparing court note-taking templates for our volunteer team. This includes identifying which CASA volunteers and case managers will receive the notes, entering key case details such as the child's name, hearing type, and presiding judge, and sending everything out to the appropriate note-taker the evening before court.

Janet doesn't just coordinate—she also shows up. As an active member of the court note-taking team, she attends court at least eight times each month, ensuring accurate and consistent documentation that supports our advocates and the children they serve.

Beyond CASA, Janet's commitment to service continues. During tax season, she volunteers as an AARP Tax-Aide, helping individuals prepare their taxes. She is also the treasurer of a women's charity organization that raises funds to support women and children programs and local food banks.

In her downtime, Janet enjoys getting lost in a good work of fiction. During the summer months, you'll find her swimming or happily puttering around in her garden.

Janet, we are incredibly grateful for your dedication, leadership, and heart for service. Your work makes a meaningful difference every single day.

Become a Champion for Change

With just $20 a month—only 66 cents a day, less than the cost of a cup of coffee—you can help transform lives. Your ongoing support fuels advocacy for foster youth, mentorship for at-risk teens, and critical resources for families working toward stability.

Monthly giving provides the steady foundation our programs rely on so we can plan ahead, respond quickly, and ensure no child walks alone through the foster system.

Become a Champion for Change

Experience The Lisa Project - Coming this April

This spring, our community will have the opportunity to experience The Lisa Project, a powerful, immersive exhibit designed to raise awareness about child abuse and inspire prevention, empathy, and action.

Through guided audio and thoughtfully designed spaces, The Lisa Project invites participants to experience the world through a child’s perspective—helping visitors better understand the impact of abuse and the role we all play in protecting children. The experience is educational, age-appropriate (PG-13), and focused on awareness, healing, and community responsibility.

🌐 Learn more

🎥 Watch the video

Join us April 23rd - Register HERE

Save the Date: Spring Tea & Bite Nite

Mark your calendar for two signature events supporting local foster youth.

Spring Tea:

April 18, 2026 - click HERE to learn more

Bite Nite:

September 25, 2026 - click HERE to learn more

Rise & Thrive: Financial Literacy Series Launches January 5

Join us for Rise and Thrive — a four-part, peer-led series focused on real conversations and practical tools to help remove fear around finances.

When we understand our money, we strengthen our families and our futures.

Dates: 1/5, 1/12, 1/26 and 2/2

Time: 11 AM- 12 PM

Location: Zoom

👉Email hannah@casaconnects.org to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.

Change a Child's Story

Right now, local children and youth are waiting for a CASA advocate to stand by their side.

These children deserve someone to speak up for them—someone who will ensure they feel safe, seen, and supported.

Email volunteer@casaconnects.org or click HERE to get started.

Upcoming Volunteer Training

Ready to become a CASA in the new year?

Through a combination of interactive sessions, hands-on activities, and expert-led discussions, you’ll learn how to advocate for the best interests of children and youth in foster care.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a CASA, there’s no better time to take the first step.

Click HERE to start the process and HERE for our 2026 training schedule.

Volunteer Resource: Free & Low-Cost Activities

Looking for budget-friendly ways in Placer County to connect with your CASA youth or family in January?

Click HERE for some simple ideas.

January Continuing Education

1️⃣Inside the Fight: A Detective’s View on Human Trafficking

We invite you to an insightful in-service event focused on learning firsthand from a detective from the Crime Suppression Unit with the Roseville Police Department. Detective Mohring will be covering basic human trafficking investigations. This will include terminology, slang, culture, victimology, and a case debrief (if there is time). You’ll gain an extremely valuable perspective and have the opportunity to learn from an officer with lived experience, who is in the field working to combat CSEC.

Please be aware that this session addresses content related to trafficking that some participants may find triggering. The information is presented to provide a meaningful and necessary perspective on the realities of trafficking.

This event is hosted by the CASA Placer BE BOLD Program, which is committed to mentoring youth in our community who are impacted by CSEC and/or are involved in the juvenile justice system. Our mission is to help young people make healthier and safer choices.

January 6th - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Roseville Office: 1430 Blue Oaks Blvd, Suite 260, Roseville

2️⃣Understanding VITA, Tax Filing, and Tax Credits for Current and Former Foster Youth

This Zoom webinar will provide practical guidance on helping youth and families access free VITA tax preparation services and important tax credits, including the Foster Youth Tax Credit. Participants will learn how to identify who qualifies, share accurate tax-season information, and partner with local VITA programs to help youth receive the credits and refunds they deserve. The flyer is attached and may be shared.

January 14th - 12 PM

Location: ZOOM

3️⃣Understanding the Dependency System: A Closer Look at Foster Care and the Court Process

We invite you to an important in-service event designed to deepen your understanding of the child welfare system and strengthen your advocacy as a CASA volunteer. Jessica Chapman and Skylar Lundgren from the Yuba County CAPS (Child and Adult Protective Services) Office will join us to provide a comprehensive overview of the dependency and foster care process.

This training will walk participants through the critical steps a child and family experience when concerns of safety arise. Topics will include:

Removal from the home — when it happens, why it happens, and how immediate safety decisions are made
Placement in foster care — the process of determining placement, kinship considerations, and available services
The court process — hearings, timelines, reunification efforts, and the roles of various professionals involved

You’ll gain a clearer picture of how decisions are made, what youth experience at each stage, and how CASAs can best support and advocate for stability, connection, and healing.

Please be aware that discussions may touch on sensitive situations involving trauma, family crises, and system-involved youth.

This event is hosted by CASA of Placer, Yuba & Sutter, in support of our mission to train, equip, and empower CASA volunteers with the knowledge needed to advocate effectively for children and families navigating the dependency system.

January 20th – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

Yuba City Office: 1634 Poole Blvd, Suite 200

4️⃣Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention

This 45–60 minute AFSP education program covers the scope of suicide in the U.S. and worldwide, current research on risk factors, prevention and protective strategies, and how to recognize warning signs and help someone in crisis. The flyer is attached and may be shared.

January 28th - 12 PM

Location: Zoom

What We Do

Every program is built on one belief: connection changes lives.

CASA - Become a Voice for a Child in Crisis

At CASA of Placer, Yuba, and Sutter, our Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) stand up for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, or are at risk of entering the foster care system. These youth often face instability and uncertainty, and without a dedicated advocate, they can become lost in the Juvenile Dependency or Delinquency Court systems.