Ember Duty
20th Year Volunteer Anniversary
And no plans to stop !
Wow, Ember Duty started her work as an Advocate twenty years ago. Through the years, she has advocated for ten children. 

Ember first learned about CASA through her Mom’s involvement with the agency, but it is her strong belief in giving back to her community that has kept her committed for so long. Ember doesn’t have children of her own and acknowledged that her CASA work has provided her with an opportunity to spend time with children in a supportive role.

Ember explained that she remains motivated by not taking what happens in a case personally. Rather, she says “I am a CASA, my role is to advocate for children in a system that isn’t perfect.”

During the years, Ember challenged herself to work outside her comfort level, advocating for children at varied ages and locations. While some children have been more challenging to get to know and work with, Ember is always committed to provide the advocacy that they need. Ember doesn’t have a formal approach to getting to know children but has learned to be a good listener and to engage in activities that allow the children to show who they are. She always takes the time to give each child one on one attention.

Ember understands that being an Advocate is more than just spending time with children. It requires a variety of important tasks including communication with professionals, writing court reports and tracking your activities, but she reminds other Advocates to “take the time to enjoy the children.”
Welcome New CASA Volunteers!

On October 30, 2019, Judge Charles Crandall performed the swearing in ceremony. We are incredibly grateful for all who make this commitment!

Our next training class will be in SLO starting February 2020. Ask them to call CASA 805-541-6542 to learn more or apply at Become a CASA Volunteer 
2019 Holiday Gift Drive

Holiday Gift Tag Program Deadline for gift requests is  Monday, November 4th . We still need your help collecting gift requests! We only have 66 requests out of 214.

Please let your supervisor know if you are having difficulties learning what your child would like to receive as a holiday gift. It can be also helpful to ask the caregiver too. We're excited to help foster children experience the holidays as their peers do.
Mentor Dinner
Thursday, November 7th
 at 7pm SLO CASA Office

Guest Speaker: Lisa Allardyce (Comprehensive College Counseling)

 Experienced education professional working through a trauma informed lens with a primary focus on students who are under-served and first generation, to assist, guide, and collaborate with high schools, community partners, and community colleges to prepare students for a comprehensive post-secondary transition to university or vocational school. Ongoing guidance, support, and collaboration through degree completion and career placement.

Earn 1 hour of Continuing Education!
Men's Focus Group
Wednesday
November 6th
from 9:00-10:30 AM
Coastal Peaks Coffee, 
3566 S Higuera St #100, SLO
Help us plan for 2020! Our newest Advocate Supervisor, Matt Moore , will be leading the discussion of direction and activities for the Men's Focus Group in the coming year.
RSVP t o staff@slocasa.org
 Earn 1 hour of Continuing Education!
Case Discussion
Wednesday,November 13, 12 pm
SLO CASA Office - 75 Hiquera Street, Suite 180

This is your chance to share your experiences and learn from other CASA's.
Earn 2 hours of Continuing Education
Click the link Continuing Education Calendar to find ALL CE opportunities!
Book & Movie Club
Book Club

Monday, November 11 at 6 pm
SLO CASA Office

Attend : Every minute you attend Book n Movie Group counts toward your Continuing Education requirement*
Read : Every 100 pages you read for CASA earns you 1 hour of Continuing Education credit*

It's fun and easy to earn more of your yearly 12 hours of CE's
Online Tracking Form
Click on the link CASA Tracking Form to submit it.
It's Important!
Tracking Forms NEED to be turned in by the 5 th   of each month.
If you have any issues please ask your supervisor for help.
Check this out:
Easy choices for earning Continuing Education: Keeping up on your Continuing Education as a CASA can be as simple as watching a movie or reading a good book. Looking for suggestions? This photo shows recent selections the Book n Movie Group enjoyed over the past few months.
 
Every 100 pages of reading earns you an hour, and watching, listening or attending trainings earns you minute-for-minute credit. Please record all CE credit on your monthly tracking form. 

Need more ideas? Here's the list of past selections by the Book n Movie Group, complete with BRIEF reviews. Most of these are available to borrow from the CASA library:  http://bit.ly/32VVcRo
November In-Services Continuing Education
Overview of Welfare and Institutions Code 300

Date/Time: November 4, 2019, 3 pm – 5 pm
Location:  Sierra Vista Auditorium, 1010 Murray Ave., San Luis Obispo
Please RSVP to c orton@slocasa.org

Presenter:     Debra Barringer , Deputy County Counsel

Topics to be covered:
1. Overview of Welfare and Institutions Code 300 law.
2. The role County Counsel plays in the dependency court process.
3. How County Counsel and CWS collaborate on cases.
4. New Laws and Legislation that impacts CASA advocacy.

You will receive 2 hours of continuing education.


Martha’s Place Children’s Center

Date/Time:  November 12, 2019, 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: Sierra Vista Auditorium, 1010 Murray Ave., San Luis Obispo
Please RSVP to corton@slocasa.org
 
Presenter: Katie M. Cohen, LMFT, Psy D, San Luis Obispo County Health Agency Program Supervisor, Martha’s Place Children’s Center

Overview of the services offered at Martha’s Place including: 
  • Who is in the population served
  • Who is on the team at Martha’s Place
  • Referral process
  • Specialized pediatric exam
  • Mental Health Assessment
  • Treatment
  • Impact of trauma on child’s neuro-biology and behavior
  • Effects of prenatal substance exposure

You will receive 1.5 hours of continuing education.

Free & Low Cost Activities
A great way to build a good relationship with your child is to pursue activities that are child centered or fun for the child.
Click to view November Calendar
CASA Court Calendars
Please check with your advocate supervisor for future court hearing dates.

CASA of SLO County is  grateful  for our Corporate sponsors

Bank of the Sierra
Community West Bank
Med Stop
San Luis Sports Therapy
Sentinel Peak Resources LLC
Susan Polk Insurance