Advocacy
Advocating for 44 local programs and the children they serve.
California CASA is honored to be an active voice for our network, advocating at the state level. We listen to the needs of children in foster care, expressed by CASA volunteers and staff in the field, and we speak up in favor of legislation and policies that support a child’s journey through the system to a safe, permanent home.
CASA volunteers are recruited and trained by local CASA programs in each county. They are community members from all walks of life who dedicate about ten hours a month towards helping a child in the foster care system.
California
CASA 2026
Supported Bills
The below bills reflect our shared priorities across the network—strengthening outcomes for children and youth in foster care, supporting families, advancing equity, and improving system coordination. These proposals were identified through ongoing conversations with local programs, partners, and our legislative advocates.
Advancing equity for tribal communities and foster youth
AB 1574 – Tribal Foster Care Prevention Program (Rogers) [learn more]
AB 1824 – Indian Child Welfare / Tribal Protections (Ramos) [learn more]
Improving protections for vulnerable children and youth
AB 1967 – Juvenile Court Safety Assessments (Zbur) [learn more]
AB 1996– Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (Bonta) [learn more]
AB 2451 – Protections for Youth Experiencing Human Trafficking (Elhawary) [learn more]
SB 1345 – Foster Youth Rights (Personal Belongings & Dignity) (Wahab) [learn more]
Strengthening family preservation and kinship placement
AB 1846 – Placement with Relatives (Stefani) [learn more]
AB 2478 – Kinship Family Approval Process (Schultz and Solache) [learn more]
AB 2684 – Virtual Visitation for Non-minor Dependents (Nguyen) [learn more]
Expanding access to education, housing, and extended care
AB 2766 – Higher Education Housing Support for Foster Youth (Ahrens) [learn more]
AB 1602 – Foster Youth Disaster Aid Assistance (Rubio) [learn more]
AB 1659 – Juvenile Court School Transition Planning(Ransom) [learn more]
AB 2764 – Extended Foster Care Eligibility (Ahrens) [learn more]
Policy Forums
California CASA staff members provide their insights, experiences, and expertise to policy makers and elected officials. We have represented the network on many high-level statewide policy forums.
California Child Welfare Council
[learn more]
Foster Care Ombudsperson’s Office: Foster Youth Bill of Rights Updates
[learn more]
California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care
[learn more]
California Child Welfare Council Permanency Committee
[learn more]
California Department of Health Care Services Quality Improvement Project: Improving the Use of Psychotropic Medication among Children and Youth in Foster Care.
[learn more]
Step Up Coalition
[learn more]
National CASA
Association: Public Policy
California CASA staff members also serve on National CASA Association Policy Committees.
Public Policy Committee, aimed at improving federal level resources and systems related to CASA and child welfare.
Legal Representation Committee,which seeks to develop an understanding of best practices related to the coordination of best interests and legal representation of children and youth in child dependency cases nationwide.