Vince Hall

CEO, California CASA Association

In February, our network came together for another inspiring Day at the Capitol in Sacramento. Executive directors, CASA volunteers, and individuals with lived experience in foster care came together from across the state, demonstrating the strength and unity of our collective voice.

Together, participants met with 29 legislative offices to share powerful stories and highlight the impact of CASA programs in their communities. These conversations deepened understanding and reinforced what we know to be true: when advocacy is grounded in lived experience and fueled by committed supporters like you, it creates meaningful change.

While Day at the Capitol is an important milestone, it is just one part of a broader, ongoing effort. The relationships built and stories shared continue to move this work forward in communities across California.

We’ll continue our drumbeat of advocacy as the State Legislature recognizes CASA Appreciation Day on May 7th, with a resolution sponsored by Senator Tom Umberg. We are grateful for this opportunity to shine a light on the impact our 44 local programs are making and all who champion this work. Later that day, we’re excited to partner with CASA of Sacramento for a Lunch & Learn at the Capitol to recruit local volunteers.

This year, we’re also supporting 13 bills aiming to:

• Strengthen family preservation and kinship placement
• Increase protections for vulnerable youth
• Improve access to education, housing, and extended care 
• Advance equity for tribal communities and foster youth

Regional Meeting Recaps

This Spring, we hosted a series of regional meetings across the state, including Central (March 26–27), Far North (April 16–17), and North/Bay Area (May 28–29). Each convening brought together CASA program leaders for two days of connection, shared learning, and strategic discussion. While each region brought its own perspectives and local context, all meetings followed a consistent agenda designed to foster collaboration and practical problem-solving. Sessions focused on turning shared challenges into actionable solutions, highlighting emerging opportunities, and strengthening local partnerships.

Participants engaged in interactive elements, such as a facilitated problem-solving lab and group reflections, creating space to exchange ideas and identify strategies applicable across the region. Meetings also included dedicated time for networking, allowing attendees to build relationships and deepen connections within and across regions. These regional meetings continue to play an important role in aligning our work, elevating promising practices, and strengthening our network.

Network Training Highlights

We continue to support the network through a strong lineup of webinars designed for CASA staff, volunteers, and leadership. During the last quarter, we hosted seven trainings covering key areas such as financial resources, mental health, youth development, education, and organizational operations. We had 583 attendees at these webinars and many were recorded so that those who could not attend are still able to benefit from the content. These sessions were delivered in partnership with expert organizations, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The Bridgespan Group, Seneca Center, San Francisco CASA, and John Burton Advocates for Youth, ensuring that the content is timely, relevant, and grounded in real-world expertise.

Standout topics included suicide prevention, communication strategies for working with teens, and promoting healthy relationships with food and body image—areas that directly support those working with youth facing complex challenges. Participant feedback has been consistently positive, with many highlighting the relevance of the topics, the strength of the presenters, and the actionable insights they can immediately apply in their work. Here is what attendees are saying:

• “Very informative. Introduced new, current information I did not know about. Great host with a professional and easy flow between slides, questions and answers.”

• “The speaker was very knowledgeable and switched gears effortlessly. I loved her real-life examples and positive attitude.”

• “I often recommend CA CASA trainings. They're awesome and always a good use of my time, even if they don't pertain to my current case. Thank you!”

New Findings from Child Trends

A new study from Child Trends explores how positive youth development — focusing on strengths, mentorship, and belonging — helps young adults succeed in the workplace. These principles closely mirror what CASA volunteers already do: building relationships, helping youth recognize their strengths, and supporting long-term success. As more programs explore services for older youth and transition-age young adults, this research offers helpful language and validation for the impact CASA already has. 

Read the full study on positive youth development here.

Child Trends also recently released a white paper exploring how Black families flourish through a strengths-based, intergenerational lens. The project highlights research and community perspectives focused on protective factors and well-being. Programs interested in equity-informed practice or community-strength approaches may find this a helpful resource.

Read the white paper on Black family life here.

Celebrating National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month, and we’re calling on you to be one of the helpers! Our new awareness campaign is bringing our community together to help children in foster care across California by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word about the work that we do. 

Here at California CASA, we work alongside the 44 local CASA programs across the state that are helping youth and their advocates each day. Your gift helps us:

• Ensure youth in foster care are connected with an advocate to support them in and outside of court
• Recruit, train, and support more CASA volunteers
• Partner with elected officials to drive lasting change
• Provide capacity-building support to local CASA programs to bolster collective, statewide impact

Your help is what makes this possible. 

Be One of the Helpers: Ruby's Story

A special thank you to Ruby, True, and Bryn for hosting a pop-up flower shop, creating and selling their own arrangements to raise funds for California CASA. Their efforts raised $500 for children in the foster care and juvenile justice systems.

As the girls shared their mission with the community, a passerby stopped after seeing their sign. Turns out, she had just signed up to become a CASA volunteer and will begin advocate training next month. In that moment, the girls saw firsthand how their efforts connected to something bigger.

Thank you, ladies, for being one of the helpers. We are so grateful for your creativity, generosity, and heart. This story is a beautiful reminder that advocacy takes many forms, and each act of support builds a brighter, more stable future for youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system.

Thank you for being one of the helpers this National Foster Care Month. We look forward to sharing more about the impact your support is making across the state.

NEW: You can now deduct up to $1,000 in charitable donations ($2,000 for couples), helping you save when you file your 2026 taxes. Learn more about the universal charitable deduction and find your way to give today.

California CASA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our IRS tax ID number is 68-0163010. California CASA is a member of National CASA/GAL.