Holiday Gift Tag Program

Gifts will be available for pickup 
starting on Wednesday, December 11th at the SLO Office
Welcome CASA Supervisors!
Sarah DeYoung
My name is Sarah DeYoung, and I am privileged to support a great team of CASA volunteers in the role of Advocate Supervisor. Prior to joining CASA staff last February, I served as a CASA for 10 years in the Bay Area, and three years here, and am on my 6th case. I am in the finishing stages of winding up a nearly 40-year career in telecom and regulatory/legislative advocacy. My husband Rich and I live at Trilogy in Nipomo.
Matt Moore
In addition to being a new Advocate Supervisor, I am an Advocate myself for a young man in Paso Robles. Over the years I have worn many hats in fields including legal, HR, online retail, and web marketing. I live with my girlfriend and a gaggle of cats in Atascadero.
Pat Miljanich
My work with CASA began in 1999 as an Advocate Supervisor in San Mateo County. In 2006 I was appointed Executive Director and remained in that position until the end of 2018. I have been an Advocate for three youth. I am an attorney and a former elementary school teacher. I moved to Arroyo Grande in January to be near my grandchildren and love the weather and lack of traffic jams. I am so happy to continue my CASA work at CASA of San Luis Obispo County.  

For Giving Tuesday, December 3, refer SLO CASA for friends and family. Donations can be made at our website. Click the link and go to CASA's Donation page
A BIG thank you to
Jan Salem and Janice Barkmann!

These two wonderful volunteers have been working endlessly on organizing our Jewelry with a Past fundraiser. They have spent countless hours sorting, organizing, cleaning and setting up the donated jewelry. We truly could not do it without them!
Book & Movie Club
December Movie Night
SLO CASA Office - Monday, December 9 at 6 pm

Movie: Three Identical Strangers  
  • Who: Any CASA Advocate (with or without a case)   
  • What: CASA Advocates enjoy a film, afterward discussing how the content relates to the children we represent 
  • Why: Earn 2 hours toward your annual 12 hour CE 
  • Trailer
Summary: "Three Identical Strangers tells the astonishing true story of three men who make the chance discovery, at the age of 19, that they are identical triplets, separated at birth and adopted to different parents. The trio's joyous reunion in 1980 catapults them to fame but it also sets in motion a chain of events that unearths an extraordinary and disturbing secret that goes far beyond their own lives – a secret that goes to very heart of all human behavior." Amazon

January: Book Talk
Book: Where the Crawdads Sing
  • CASA Office - Monday January 13, 6 p.m. 
  • Resources: two copies available at CASA Office,
SLO public library: 124 copies plus 19 large print, 15 on CD, ebook & audio book   https://www.slolibrary.org/index.php/about/locations/slo-library  

Summary: Known to locals as "the Marsh Girl", a young woman in extremely rural North Carolina makes her way alone in nature. Eventually, she is drawn to other people and the world. The story takes time to develop the characters, setting & story. "You will want to talk about it with another reader." according to Amazon--so please join us in January! 

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
Men's Focus Group
December Meeting CANCELED
There will be NO MEETING December 4th. Matt Moore our Advocate Supervisor is coming up with ideas for 2020! We'd love your ideas for activities, team building, or other events that can help male CASAs feel better connected to each other and the organization. Please send thoughts and suggestions to Matt Moore mmoore@slocasa.org . 
Case Discussion
Wednesday December 10th at 6 pm
North County Office
8005 Morro Road, Atascadero
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!
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.
Continuing Education
Central Coast Freedom Network (CCFN)

Date/Time: December 17, 2019, 1:30 pm – 3 pm
Location:  Sierra Vista Auditorium, 1010 Murray Ave., San Luis Obispo
Please RSVP to c orton@slocasa.org

Presenters:      Regina Castillo, Andrew Sever and Sandy Simpson, Central Coast Freedom Network

Regina E. Castillo is a volunteer with CCFN. She has worked in the Human and Social Service field for over 30 years as a Teacher, Crisis Interventionist, Youth and Family Organizer. Currently, she is a Case Manager in SLO County working with at-risk youth and adults. Regina represents CCFN with the SLO County Human Trafficking Task Force.

Andrew Sever works for Creative Mediation as Resource Coordinator and completed his training with CCFN in March 2019..     
          
Sandy Simpson had a career in teaching and school administration before joining the Coast Freedom Network as a volunteer speaker and trainer. She regularly attends the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Task Force.

Topics to be discussed:
  • Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)
  • Pathways of entry
  • Brief overview of stages of change
  • San Luis Obispo County- It happens here
  • How we can help

You will receive 2 hours of continuing education.
 Bundle of Love
CASA has received 20 Bundles of Love provided by Project Sweet Dreams. These bundles are loved by the youngest kids and teens alike. Please be sure to take a bundle (or two) the next time you are in the SLO or North County office. Bring joy to your CASA child!
November's Mentor Dinner Wrap-Up
Spotlight: Lisa Allardyce 
Education Liaison & College Transition Specialist Lisa Allardyce provided the group great materials and information to help support our youth on their educational journey. Lisa's vision of empowering students to reach toward their highest potential was well received. Lisa's enthusiasm is contagious and our attendees left feeling quite hopeful that the right path for their youth is attainable. Whether it be college or trade school Lisa will support the youth and CASA in making it all possible. Feel free to reach out to Lisa for any of your youth's high school educational or college needs or questions.   lisaallardyce@gmail.com  
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 December Calendar
December Office Schedule
Staff Holiday Party - December 10, CASA office will be closed from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
The CASA office will be closed December 24 to January 1 .
 For urgent matters call your advocate supervisor or Teresa Tardiff at 805-235-6178

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