Our Initiatives

CalCASA In Action > Our Initiatives

CalCASA collaborates with CASA programs throughout California to meet the needs of the children in their community. In addition to visiting local programs and sharing best practices, we undertake initiatives aimed at improving the quality and scope of CASA advocacy.

Whether it be trainings that improve cultural awareness or tools to empower volunteers to navigate the mental health system, our initiatives strengthen the effectiveness of California’s CASA network.

Children of Incarcerated Parents

CalCASA works with SFCIPP (San Francisco Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership) to mitigate the negative effect that parental incarceration has on children. This initiative grows from a generous investment by the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

Young Parents

CalCASA educates CASA programs and volunteers about the rights and responsibilities of foster youth who have children themselves. We increase services and support to minor mothers and fathers who are dependents of the juvenile court.

Emancipating youth

CalCASA helps ensure that critical services reach emancipating foster youth before it is too late. Our efforts are focused on 1) increasing the federal and state resources that target this population, and 2) increasing our advocate’s effectiveness in help these bright, energetic, and promising youth achieve their full potential.

Mental Health

Foster youth are not always afforded the timely, high quality mental health services that they deserve. Far too often limited resources, lack of understanding, or bureaucratic limitations affect the care that is due to our children. With generous support from the Zellerbach Family Foundation, CalCASA helps CASA volunteers understand the mental health system and collaborate with mental health professionals to address the emotional needs of our children.

Education

Early on, the CASA network identified that foster youth have unmet educational needs. When children are uprooted, their education is typically disrupted. CASA programs and volunteers across the state work to ensure that our children receive the quality education they deserve.

Pro Bono Legal Service

CASA programs, staff volunteers, and the children they serve have unmet legal needs. CalCASA facilitates the appointment of pro bono legal counsel. Across the CASA network, law firms respond with their time and resources.

Cultural Diversity

CalCASA and the entire CASA movement have long been dedicated to cultural awareness. CalCASA’s trainings identify and nourish our children’s need for cultural identity and connection. CalCASA has partnered with Casey Family Programs and National CASA Association to provide access to the "Knowing Who You Are" diversity training.

Tribal CASA Collaboration

Native American children have a greater chance of being removed from their home than any other group in California. This means that almost 2 of every 25 Indian children received a referral to child protective services. Of those, referred, over 14% were removed from their home. (2007 CWS/CMS data) With the generous support of the California Emergency Management Agency CalCASA has partnered with local tribes and CASA programs to serve Native American children.

CASA Program Site Visits

At least once every three years, staff from CalCASA and the CFCC travel to each and every county operated CASA program to evaluate its effectiveness. CalCASA then shares best practices and provides any follow-up and technical assistance that might increase the program’s ability to serve our children.

Expansion to Shasta and Merced

With over 40 CASA programs, California reaches thousands of foster children. However, our mission is not complete until every abused and neglected court-dependent child has a CASA volunteer who can hold their hand, talk to them, investigate the situation, and speak up for that child in court. CalCASA is currently working with grassroots movements to bring CASA programs to both Shasta and Merced counties.

Help from the Federal Government

The federal government has long recognized the value that CASA has for our children. The Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-647) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention have made great strides in building a strong nation-wide CASA network. CalCASA hopes to join the efforts of other child welfare stakeholders and increase California’s influence in the way Washington regulates and legislates for our children. Currently, CalCASA is working with the California Department of Social Services and the Administrative Office of the Courts to take advantage of increased resources for CASA training allowed by the recent Fostering Connections to Success Act (H.R. 6893 of 2008].

Trainings and Conferences

CalCASA works to increase CASA program effectiveness and accountability. One essential part of this effort is to provide training and conferences to help build collaboration, education and share best practices. In 2009, CalCASA will host three regional trainings throughout the California Network, as well as a three-day Bay Area Training.