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.
Strengthening family preservation and kinship placement
AB 1846 – Placement with Relatives
Learn more →AB 2478 – Kinship Family Approval Process
Learn More →AB 2684 – Virtual Visitation for Non-minor Dependents
Learn More →Improving protections for vulnerable children and youth
AB 1967 – Juvenile Court Safety Assessments
Learn more →AB 1996 – Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council
Learn more →AB 2451 – Protections for Youth Experiencing Human Trafficking
Learn more →SB 1345 – Foster Youth Rights (Personal Belongings & Dignity)
Learn more →Expanding access to education, housing, and extended care
AB 2766 – Higher Education Housing Support for Foster Youth
Learn more →AB 1602 – Foster Youth Disaster Aid Assistance
Learn more →AB 1659 – Juvenile Court School Transition Planning
Learn more →AB 2764 – Extended Foster Care Eligibility
Learn more →Advancing equity for tribal communities and children and teens in foster care.
AB 1574 – Tribal Foster Care Prevention Program
Learn more →AB 1824 – Indian Child Welfare / Tribal Protections
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 Welfare Council
learn more →
California Child Welfare Council Permanency Committee
learn more →
Foster Care Ombudsperson’s Office: Foster Youth Bill of Rights Updates
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 →
Alliance for Children's Rights: Step Up campaign and website
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.