Dear Volunteers,
I hope you are all doing well and staying safe and healthy! Since the last newsletter, and I realize that this one is coming to you LATE in the month, we have continued to experience a great deal of change at CASA as we learn what our "new normal" looks like. And chances are, as soon as that starts feeling comfortable, we will likely experience even more change.
We want to make sure we keep you up to date with things that are changing, so here are a few key things to know:
- We followed County recommendations, and have "Certified" our offices as open, and they are registered with the county as meeting the guidelines. Of course, we didn't actually suspend operations during the shutdown, but many of our staff began working remotely, Now - all of the offices are "certified open" offices, and we are happy to meet with you there and will comply with all PPE and social distancing guidelines.
- One of the biggest changes we have had to adjust to is that we had to eliminate the position of the Associate Director, Aaron. This was a really difficult decision, and only a result of the combination of reduced revenue to the organization (the delay of the CASA Ducky Derby combined with the delay of our fall event has a HUGE impact on the funding of our organization), and the many changes in our overall workload (many things changed quickly due to the pandemic - we became almost completely paperless, training moved to an online platform provided by California CASA, etc.). Aaron brought so much value to the agency during his nearly 5 years here, and I know he personally trained about 1/2 of our current volunteer force! He will be missed, and we are a stronger organization for his time here. I expect he will go on to great things in leadership at another nonprofit.
- We also temporarily eliminated two advocate supervisor positions - one in Lompoc and one in Santa Maria. Our caseload management is closely monitored - we don't want to overwhelm staff with such large caseloads that they can't meet the needs of their volunteers, and yet we also want to recognize that changes in how we do things means that our Advocate Supervisors are reporting that they are able to manage more volunteers now that there is a significant time savings in other areas.
- Right at the same time as the shut down started, we opened a lovely new office in Lompoc. Latika is on her own there now, although frequently working remotely. I know she would love to welcome you to the new space - just check with her to make sure she is on-site. Please do drive by though - 518 north H street - and see our "billboard windows" that we hope will capture the interest of more potential volunteers in Lompoc.
- The Santa Maria office also now has "billboard windows" - stop by or drive by and check them out!
- As I mentioned - a big change is that we moved to an online pre-service training platform. There are still 4 in-person sessions, and we still need advocates to serve on an "advocate panel" for one of the 4 classes. Those are coming up soon, so we may be reaching out to you to see if you will consider doing a "Zoom" version of an advocate panel. It's working really well so far, and we are hoping to continue with strong recruiting of new volunteers. The waiting list is up near 150 kids - it's urgent!!
- The big changes in fundraising. We are doing everything we can to find new ways to raise the funds that run CASA. Our spring event was postponed, but you won't be able to miss the DIGITAL CASA Ducky Derby! We are launching the campaign on July 1. Look for some fun new elements to the event, and the actual "race" will be on August 1 - the winner gets a $5000 cash prize - and while staff can't enter to win.... you can! CASADUCKYDERBY.ORG
- CASA staff and volunteers have been GREAT at continuing to get court reports submitted - and on time! Thank you so much for that - the court really appreciates your efforts, and the kids are the ones who benefit most from your commitment. Now totally paperless, once you have signed via docusign, we are also able to upload them digitally for our court partners. It's a win all the way around!
- With the shutdown came the virtual visits - and you have all been amazing, to learn new ways to advocate for the kids, still making sure to check in and ensure that they are safe. National CASA has waived the minimum standard of the in-person visit for now - however, the court and our social workers have returned to in-person visits whenever possible. YOU have to decide what is best for you. Our number one concern is for your safety - we need you healthy to be able to continue your advocacy! So - many volunteers are asking if they can visit in person. The answer is yes, using all standard precautions. And if you are not ready for in person visits, that is ok also - just work with your advocate supervisor, and make sure to find other ways to connect with your child and the many people involved in the case. Again - YES you can do in person visits, and YES you can continue virtual visits. We are here to support you both ways.
- Remember - we have masks and other PPE for any volunteers who need it.
- To support the changes in visits, National CASA has recommended an update in our liability waiver (you all signed one prior to becoming a volunteer). We have ours updated, and I've asked your advocate supervisors to get them signed via docusign. Let us know if you have questions - you should get it by the 1st (we are learning things every day.... like how to send out the same document to 300 people on docusign - we know there is a way!!!)
- Our kids events are on hold - but we really want to do a "superhero drive thru event" at the Santa Maria and Lompoc offices. We will do it in July, to correspond with our efforts on the Ducky Derby - because Foster the Duck - in addition to being a dancer, also wants the chance to wear a cape! This could be fun to bring your youth on the drive thru - they'll get a box of treats and activities, and I believe superheros will be handing them out - or you can drive by on your own for a quick pick up, and drop the box off on their porch, staying socially distant and still being a superhero yourself! Dates and times to be announced soon!
Thank you for hanging in there with all of the change. I like to think of CHANGE as a time to find the CHANCE to try new things, find new ways to get things done. Change is hard, but it is the one thing you can be sure of - and because our kids are counting on us, let's take a chance at doing more than ever before for the kids who are counting on us.
Yours in Advocacy,
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We have a number of masks of different styles, and if you need one - we have one for you! Just ask your current advocate supervisor, and we will set one aside for you - or even mail it to you.
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We Love hearing your stories! We have shared your creative projects - like the art project with kids drawing the coronavirus, the lava lamps, the volcanoes - on social media and with our donors, and people LOVE hearing how creative you have all been in continuing your advocacy and your connection with the kids - please keep sharing your stories!
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Continuing Education Opportunities!
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We don't know yet when our monthly volunteer meetings will return - we will keep you informed. But in the meantime, we want to make sure we have given you plenty of options to do some interesting online training - and be sure you include your training hours when you report in to your advocate supervisor!
A Recommendation from Crystal:
AHC has a great line-up of free community education classes for their Foster Kinship Care Program that is open to the public. They offer a variety of topics, ACE's, Boundaries and Self Care, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within the Child Protective System, and much more. Here is the link to their upcoming events:
https://www.hancockcollege.edu/calendar/index.php
GREAT NEW OPPORTUNITY:
National CASA/GAL Book Club
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Series
We are excited about the National CASA/GAL Network Book Club, where staff and volunteers can engage in facilitated dialogue. Current events have caused us to reflect and find ways we can address racism, injustices, diversity, equity, engagement and inclusion. It is critical to the work we do to understand subjects that may ultimately impact the children we serve. With this in mind, our next book club series will focus on the subject of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Through a series of thoughtful and open-minded readings, discussions and dialogue, we want staff members and volunteers to walk away with a better understanding of racism and its implications. We aim for each person participating in the book club to further reflect our organizational values of:
Adaptability ◦ Collaboration ◦ Integrity ◦ Respect ◦ Quality ◦ Service ◦ Stewardship
National CASA/GAL will lead a quarterly book study, open to the entire network. Interested participants will be asked to register. Beginning in July and going through much of 2021, book club participants will have six weeks to read each book. Throughout the six-week period, participants will engage in dialogue about the book and will be invited to engage in live discussion. Upon completion of each book, participants can take part in conversations with colleagues about the book. Discussions with the author will also be included throughout the year. Participants can earn up to four in-service credits.
SIGN UP TODAY!!
Registration:
The final meeting will be a discussion with the author on Monday, August 24.
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Talking with kids about difficult subjects
Sad things are happening. As much as we’d like to, we can’t change that. What we can do is try to help kids understand and recover in as healthy a way as possible. We can encourage and nurture their natural resilience.
The world is a scary place right now and the children we serve are living in it. We cannot shield them from the hurt and anger those around them may be experiencing or the feelings they may be experiencing themselves. What we can do, is give them a safe place to express those feelings, listen to and acknowledge those feelings, and have an open and honest conversation on how to manage those feelings.
For some this conversation may be hard. Within the attached link is a helpful guide and opinions from experts on how to navigate that conversation.
Caution is Key
As CASA volunteers, we are not the children’s parents. We are not their foster parents. We are not the many professionals they have to meet with.
So, when dealing with the issues of today, we need to take caution. The age of the child we serve is key to how we go about speaking with them regarding current events.
We are not here to place our opinions or our anger onto their shoulders. We are not here to feed into any anger, confusion, or anxiety they may have. We are here to listen. We are here to acknowledge their feelings and provide them an ear, to make sure they feel their opinions are heard.
If your child does not address the issues happening, do not bring it up. They may need a space away from all the talk, videos, and outrage they see. Be that space. Be what they need.
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As I mentioned, CASA was directly affected by the pandemic when we had to cancel the Ducky Derby. And with everything that has been happening in the world - civil unrest, economic challenges, the threat of a second wave of COVID 19 - it just seems like there is no good time to do a fundraiser.
HOWEVER - because we registered the CASA Ducky Derby with the state as a fundraising raffle, we are obligated to follow through. We have re-imagined the event as a "Virtual" event, and we will be doing what we can to "adopt" at least 15,000 ducks in the month of July. We have to be bold - it's for the kids' sake. We want to make sure we can continue to support as many volunteers to serve the most vulnerable children.
We will send several fundraising emails - you'll be able to tell the difference between the "news" you need and the Duck emails - but.... you might miss out on some fun if you don't check out those emails as well.
And we are giving YOU, or your business/place of work the chance to be involved. We have started a Duck Dance Challenge - Foster the duck will come and dance with you and your friends or family (socially distant, of course) or you can send in a video of your Duck Dance Challenge. The idea is to challenge people to either dance with/against the duck, or buy a "Quack Pack" at the CASA Ducky Derby Website:
CASADUCKYDERBY.ORG
The grand prize this year is $5000 cash, so join in the fun! Dance, adopt a duck, challenge your friends - you can even have your own "duck team" and help CASA with the fundraiser - we are coming up with some fun prizes for our teams as well. To set up a team - contact Crystal, our team leader (and last years top fundraising team!) at
Crystal@sbcasa.org
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We want to take a minute to acknowledge that there is a LOT going on in our world right now. There are a million causes that are all calling for attention, and you are choosing ours: advocacy for children who have been a victim of the crime of child abuse or neglect. You choose the kids.
Perhaps many volunteers, like many of us, feel overwhelmed by all that is happening and wish they could do more.
Remember that you are in fact part of the solution. By advocating for a child's basic rights to be treated as equal, with dignity and respect, you are in fact changing the trajectory of a child's life.
While reflecting on those who have been victims of systematic racism, oppression, and injustice we can't help but think about children in foster care, especially black and brown children, but really every child who doesn't have a voice, and how a broken system has failed them. This “system” was not set-up for their success, and their outcomes are grim: incarceration, generational abuse, early mortality, mental health, substance abuse, the list goes on... but through advocacy, through being there for a child and speaking up, we see change happening - it’s nothing short of a movement for change.
CASA volunteers are an important part of the social movement. CASA volunteers will look back and say “I didn’t just stand by – I stood up. For a child, for justice, for what was right. I was there to change a child’s story.”
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