Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq.

CEO, California CASA Association

“When someone leaves, it’s because someone else is about to arrive.” – Paulo Coelho

Earlier this month, CASA staff, board members, and volunteers from across California gathered at our annual statewide conference for three days of learning, connection, and inspiration. Together, participants shared best practices, explored innovative approaches to supporting children in foster care, and strengthened the network that makes our statewide impact possible.

Highlights included engaging workshops led by experts in child welfare, inspiring stories from CASA volunteers making a difference in their communities, and opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from all 44 local programs. The energy in the room reflected our shared commitment to ensuring that every child in foster care has a consistent adult by their side, advocating for their best interests and bright future.



We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, presenters, and attendees who made this year’s conference such a success.

Thank you to our generous sponsors who made this conference possible:

California CASA Launches "Show Up" Campaign

Over the summer, we partnered with our creative agency to develop a new statewide marketing campaign. This "Show Up" campaign, which launched in August, is already boosting volunteer engagement and raising awareness across California.

Our campaign video follows Marcie, a teen in foster care, as she receives an award at school. While her classmates wave to loved ones in the crowd, Marcie feels alone—until her CASA shows up to cheer her on. Marcie's story, which is based on actual experiences we've heard from children in foster care, continues through original photos and ad graphics we created to highlight the importance of showing up for children in foster care.

You can see our "Show Up" campaign on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and even at your local airport over the upcoming holiday season. In the meantime, we thank you for showing up for children in foster care across California.

Legislative Advocacy Update

Assembly Bill 741 Signed into Law

We are thrilled to share that Assembly Bill 741, which we’ve championed with the support of Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, was signed into law on Saturday, October 11.

This new law creates an added layer of protection for children and teens in foster care across California. While CASA volunteers and staff have always completed rigorous background checks, this will streamline the process while adding continuous monitoring through the Child Abuse Central Index.

Assemblymember Ransom shares, “Every foster child deserves to be happy, loved, and free from harm. AB 741 closes a dangerous loophole to ensure foster youth are better protected. I want to thank Governor Newsom for signing this bill into law and the California CASA Association for their steadfast partnership and advocacy. Together, we are strengthening California’s foster system to make sure every child grows up in a safe and supportive environment.”

We are incredibly grateful to Assemblymember Ransom and everyone who joined us in championing this bill. This means the children we serve are safer than ever before.

Additional 2025 Legislative Highlights

When California CASA speaks up in Sacramento, children in foster care gain a stronger voice. This year, we’ve gone beyond supporting local programs to actively shape state policy that protects children, strengthens families, and equips CASA volunteers with the tools they need to succeed. From sponsoring our own bill to backing key reforms, California CASA is leading the charge to create lasting change in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

• AB 689 (Rubio) – Foster Youth Disaster Aid Assistance
• Creates a state-funded disaster response program to support foster youth and caregivers with housing, clothing, transportation, and other essentials during declared emergencies.

• AB 495 (Rodriguez) – Family Preparedness Plan Act
• Protects children in immigrant and mixed-status families by requiring schools and childcare facilities to implement emergency caregiving plans and legal tools during immigration-related separations.

• AB 1025 (Pellerin) – Standby Guardianship for Minors
• Establishes a Standby Guardianship process to ensure children remain safe and supported if their parents face detention, deportation, or other immigration-related actions.

• SB 624 (Caballero/Ashby) – Tax Guidance for Nonminor Dependents
• Requires counties to provide tax guidance to young adults in foster care so they can access credits, understand deductions, and build financial stability.

• AB 494 (Davies) – County of Residence Transfers for Nonminor Dependents
• Streamlines procedures when foster youth move counties, ensuring continuity of services and smoother transitions.

• AB 249 (Ramos) – Youth-Specific Homeless Housing Processes
• Strengthens housing supports by requiring youth-specific entry points and services within local housing systems.

• SB 552 (Cortese) – Juvenile Justice Case Plans
• Enhances case planning for youth in the juvenile justice system, mandating family- and team-based approaches and regular court reviews.

• AB 1376 (Bonta) – Probation Reform for Wards of the Court
• Limits probation terms for justice-involved youth to six months (with limited extensions), ensuring conditions are tailored to each child’s needs.



• AB 601 (Jackson) – Mandated Reporter Reform (reconsideration in 2026)
• Proposes alternative response systems for neglect cases, standardized mandated reporter training, and oversight to reduce disparities in the child welfare system.

Why This Matters

By engaging in legislative advocacy, California CASA amplifies the voices of children and families across the state. Our leadership in Sacramento ensures lawmakers hear the real experiences of CASA programs and understand what resources are needed to make lasting change.

Looking Ahead

California CASA will continue to champion child safety, expand supports for caregivers, strengthen protections during emergencies, and create better pathways for youth as they transition into adulthood.

CASA of Orange County Launches Podcast: Voices of Hope

Have you checked out Voices of Hope yet? This new podcast from CASA of Orange County, hosted by their summer intern, Ella Wong, President of Kids for CASA at Sage Hill School, is now live!

The podcast features real stories from the foster care community, highlighting the resilience of youth and the important role of CASA volunteers.

Don’t miss the latest episodes full of inspiring conversations and stories from our community.

Listen today:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Voices For Children:

In the News

Voices for Children was recently featured on KESQ News for the life-changing impact of CASA volunteers. The story highlighted the urgent need for more volunteers in Riverside County and shared how one CASA helped a youth in foster care, Anthony O’Leary, reconnect with family and earn a full scholarship to UCLA. Voices for Children continues to call on community members to step forward as CASAs and provide the stability and advocacy children in foster care need to thrive.

San Francisco CASA & The Foster Youth Tax Project

Now in its third year as a standalone IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, San Francisco CASA’s Foster Youth Tax Project (FYTP) has quickly become a vital resource for young people navigating life after foster care.

This past tax season alone, San Francisco CASA served 138 unduplicated clients, double the number served the previous year, and helped them file 153 accepted returns, securing more than $282,000 in refunds. This represents a remarkable 92% growth in refunds over last year, dollars that went directly into the hands of young people who often have no safety net.

Beyond tax preparation, FYTP provides practical, hands-on financial education. For many of these young clients, this is the first time they are learning about the importance of having a bank account, understanding employment documents, preventing identity theft, and building habits that support long-term financial independence. In doing so, San Francisco CASA not only connects youth with critical tax credits but also equips them with essential skills for adulthood.

This work is made possible by a dedicated team of trained volunteers who ensure every client receives personalized and trustworthy support. San Francisco CASA's partnerships with county agencies, Independent Living Skills programs, and foster youth-serving organizations have also been instrumental in extending their reach, with referrals now coming from across California.

CASA of Orange County Volunteer, David

David is a beloved CASA of Orange County volunteer. Having spent time in foster care as a child, he wanted to make a difference in the lives of children going through similar experiences today. Here, David shares more about why he chose to become a CASA.

"I just wanted to make an impact and inspire these kids to know that

they are more than they think they are worth."

Teeing Up for a Cause: Albert & Mackenzie Hosts

Charity Golf Tournament Benefiting CASA

We’re thrilled to share that our valued community partner, Albert & Mackenzie, is once again stepping up to support children and youth in foster care—with a swing!

On Thursday, November 7, 2025, Albert & Mackenzie will host their first-ever Charity Golf Invitational at the beautiful Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine. This highly anticipated event brings together clients, colleagues, and friends for a day of friendly competition, connection, and—most importantly—giving back. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit California CASA, CASA of Los Angeles, and Peace 4 Kids.

Albert & Mackenzie have long been generous supporters of California CASA. From employee giving campaigns to direct contributions, their commitment to our mission has helped provide children and youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems with the consistent support of a dedicated CASA volunteer. This golf tournament is yet another way they are turning compassion into action.

We invite you to learn more, sign up to play, or become a sponsor by visiting the link below.

Thank You, Sarah and Carl Rosendahl

We are honored to highlight longtime supporters Sarah and Carl Rosendahl. As a former California CASA Board member, Sarah has been an invaluable partner in strengthening our mission, most recently by offering thoughtful guidance and expertise to our statewide Board development program. Together, Sarah and Carl also give generously through their donor-advised fund, ensuring that more young people have the steady support of a CASA by their side. We are deeply grateful for their leadership, generosity, and commitment to making a lasting difference across our network.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) have become one of the fastest-growing ways people support the causes they care about most. A DAF is a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way to support causes you care about. It functions like a charitable savings account, similar to a 401(k) for giving. You contribute to your DAF, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to nonprofits, such as California CASA.

For many donors, DAFs offer a simple, flexible, and impactful way to give. Instead of making one-time donations, individuals and families can set aside funds in their DAF and decide when and how much to grant. This approach makes it easy to plan charitable giving year-round and ensures that resources are available when organizations need them most. Because funds in a DAF are designated solely for charitable purposes, donors can be confident that their gifts will make a lasting difference.

For nonprofits like California CASA, DAF gifts are especially meaningful. They help us plan for the future and ensure that more children and youth in foster care have the steady support of a caring adult who will stand by them through life’s challenges.

If you have a DAF, we encourage you to consider California CASA as you recommend grants this year. Every gift fuels our mission to strengthen local CASA programs and provide children and youth with the stability and hope they need to thrive.

“When considering how best to support California CASA and its mission to serve foster youth, my wife and I chose to make a recurring gift through our Donor-Advised Fund. This approach ensures we can provide consistent, dedicated support. California CASA uses these resources to drive the systems change needed to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable youth. We truly believe California CASA is a catalyst for our state, for local CASA programs, and most importantly, for the children they serve.”

Zack Scott, California CASA Board Member

Become a Volunteer

Children in foster care need a trusted advocate to stand by their side. Become a CASA volunteer and change a child’s story by providing the support and stability they deserve.

More than 67,000 children in foster care across California are waiting for someone to show up. Find out how you can get started today.

Shop with a Purpose

You can make an impact just by purchasing your groceries! Thanks to the Ralphs Community Giving Program, fundraising is made easy and all you have to do at checkout is swipe your Ralphs Shopper's Card. Click the button below to learn more how it works.