Dear Volunteers,
I'm not sure how it has been for you - but time is flying by for me!! I hope that you are all staying healthy and safe, and are dealing with all of this sudden change as well as possible.
There is an important thing I'd like to cover with you - when and how to resume in person visits with your CASA youth. Our number one concern is that you are SAFE - we want you to remain healthy! The "rule" if there is one, is to follow the advice of the CDC and our local and state recommendations. As more of our community "opens up" , there will continue to be a variety of levels of anxiety. We understand that. Some of you may feel very nervous about interacting with people in person until you feel more confident that the pandemic is truly under control. Others are anxious to have that in person contact with their child (or may have already resumed visits - wink, wink) - and both are OKAY!
The most important thing is that you feel supported by us. We do not want you to go on an outing if you are not ready to. Or it could be that a caretaker is not ready to have a child possibly exposed, bringing the virus back to them. We all need to be sensitive to the fact that there is no one way to deal with this pandemic. My advice? Please just ask the advocate supervisor who is currently supporting you. Coco, Chantel, and Latika are ready to work with you on this and any other questions you have. They have been doing some double duty while we comply with state and local regulations as it applies to working in offices - we had to move to a "minimal essential work force", and they have been doing a great job. They have all shared stories of the amazing work you are doing. I am in contact with them every day, and I know that they will guide you expertly for what will work best for you, your case child, and the families involved. So - please don't feel that you are breaking a rule by setting up a "socially distant" outing - it's okay. And don't feel bad if you are not quite ready - that's okay too.
In this newsletter I've tried to provide you with some new links for continuing education, activities you can do with your case child, some even remotely, and even a link that might be helpful to pass on to caregivers. We look forward to seeing you all soon - I'm still not sure when that will be, and what our volunteer meetings will look like, but until then, I want to make sure you have useful information and that you feel confident that we are managing through the COVID - 19 crisis, and that most importantly you know we are here for you!
Yours in Advocacy,
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We have purchased 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. We have some in the hand fabric, black, blue, and a few other patterns (just in case you are picky about what your mask looks like!) Photos provided are samples - the only one we have for sure of these are the kids hands.
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You have been so creative in finding ways to advocate for our kids during this time, and we LOVE hearing your stories! Please keep sharing!
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News about events for the kids:
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As I shared in our last newsletter, we had to cancel a few of the plans (whale watching, Barn Party) and right now we still have the summer BBQ scheduled for the end of June (the Saturday after Fathers Day) The committee is ready to go, as long as our county leaders say it's safe (and we have no idea how things will be at the end of June).
So please answer the poll below to tell us how YOU feel.
If you have not ever been to the Summer BBQ - it is basically like a big family BBQ and summer party - with tons of food (healthy food, and lots of not so healthy snacks that the kids love...) A pool - with lifeguards, usually a petting zoo, sometimes a water-slide or bounce house. We always have the balloon guy, and all kinds of outdoor games. They have tried to think of something for everyone, so that kids of all ages have a fun day. This is all put on by our Children's Activity Committee volunteers - CASA does not pay anything - they do it all! It was started as a legacy for David's wife, Carolyn, who sadly passed away suddenly. She was a devoted CASA volunteer, and the family wanted to continue supporting CASA in her memory. The Summer BBQ has grown every year, and the volunteers love creating a fun day for you to share with your assigned CASA child.
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How do you feel about attending the Summer BBQ with your CASA child?
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I'm excited about it and can't wait!
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There is no way I will be ready for this kind of outing at the end of June!
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If our elected officials and the CDC say it's okay, I will be there.
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I don't think it's a good idea to bring back the group events yet.
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Virtual 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!
Online Training Resources:
Here is a link to continuing education for those of you working with (or interested in advocating for) babies and toddlers:
And another source for helping children cope with the change due to COVID-19 can be found
HERE
One more idea for you - how about a "refresher course" on CASA in general? We are going to launch CASA University next week - an online training class for new volunteers. It's very simple, and you work at your own pace. You receive an hour of CE credit for every hour you complete, and you don't have to finish - since you are already a CASA!! Just reach out to you Advocate Supervisor and we will enroll you in the class, and you will receive instructions on next steps - you won't believe how easy it is!
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Ideas for things you (or families) can do together with your assigned child - maybe some can even work as "virtual visit activities"
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This is one of the resources we found that we love! Disney on Stage - Education resources! You will find really neat ideas for activities you can do with your youth that are inspired by their favorite Disney stories:
Just click here! Some of these could also work on your "virtual visit" just takes a little creativity!
And another fun activity can be found
HERE
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Ideas to pass along to caregivers
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Here is a resource that you might consider sharing with the caregiver who is "sheltering at home" with your case child:
12 B Well tips
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A note about the offices opening up -
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Over the next few weeks, more of our staff will come back to active status as our communities start to return to whatever our "new normal" will be.
- Please know that we are taking every measure to ensure their safety, as well as yours.
- We have increased our cleaning services, and we are providing staff with masks, gloves (as soon as I can find them!), and hand sanitizer.
- We will be putting up posters explaining to all guests that we are practicing strict social distancing measures, and that for now we are discouraging handshakes and hugging - we love you all, but we also want everyone to be healthy!
- For a period of time, our schedules may be staggered to minimize the number of people in the office at all times. This will help provide plenty of space for everyone's safety. In Lompoc and Santa Barbara, you won't notice much difference, but if there is a specific person you want to see, check with them to make sure they will be in the office when you come to visit!
- We don't have a timeline yet for when the rest of our team will return - I will do my best to keep you in the loop!
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