JUNE 2021
CASA News
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!

June 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of annual LGBTQ+ Pride traditions. We commemorate the efforts of the 1969 Stonewall riots, and all current work to achieve justice and equal rights for LGBTQ+ people. At CASA/LA we welcome the diversity and spectrum of sexual orientations/gender identities amongst our staff, CASAs, and the young people we serve. We always hope to uplift LGBTQ+ voices and shed light on both the individual and systematic challenges they face. We invite you to learn more about supporting LGBTQ+ children/youth this month via a special series of Pride in-services. Lastly, we want to encourage everyone to check out the list of available training in the HRC/All Children All Families offers.

Interested in learning more about CASA/LA’s LGBTQ+ initiatives? Email the committee. 
CASA/LA selected as NBC4 &Telemundo 52
Project Innovation 2021 Award Recipient! 

Great news! We’re thrilled to announce that we have received a Project Innovation grant for $100,000 thanks to NBC Los Angeles & Telemundo 52 to support our advocacy! We are grateful to both stations and can’t wait to put the money to use recruiting, training, and supporting new CASA volunteers! Here's an article on the Project Innovation awards.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
CASA IN-SERVICE TRAINING

LGBTQ 101
When: Thursday, June 3 at 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2

Transyouth: their Health and Safety
When: Tuesday, June 15 at 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2

Obtaining a Legal Name and Gender Marker Change in Dependency Court
When: Wednesday, June 30 at 12-1 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 1
If you are interested in watching a recorded video of a past training that you missed, reach out to Betsy Ann Mudd (bmudd@casala.org). We may have what you are looking for!
Join us for our next Fireside Chat on Friday, June 4 from 12-1 PM. Our conversation will focus on unaccompanied and undocumented minors.
We would like to invite you to our first conference focused on juvenile justice!
Supporting Dual Status Youth: Intersections in Advocacy is a free, virtual two-day conference designed for advocates, community members, and professionals in both the dependency and juvenile justice systems. We hope you can join us!

Featured Panelists:
Kent Mendoza,
Manager of Advocacy & Community Organizing at the Anti-Recidivism Coalition
Wendelyn Julien,
Executive Director, Los Angeles County Probation Oversight Commission   
Denise C. Herz, Ph.D.,
Professor, School of Criminal Justice & Criminalistics, Cal State, Los Angeles and Research Director for the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) Research & Evaluation Team
COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Caring for LGBTQ Youth
When: Wednesday, June 2 at 11 AM PST
Provider: HRC, All Children All Families
RSVP: register here
Foster parents, adoptive parents, and kinship caregivers are a diverse community of people with one thing in common: the desire to love, nurture and care for children and youth. This webinar provides all caregivers with foundational knowledge and resources to help them build trusting relationships with all youth with a focus on behaviors that will create safe and affirming environments for LGBTQ youth.

Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Parents
When: Thursday, June 3 at 11 AM PST
Provider: HRC, All Children All Families
RSVP: register here
This webinar provides an in-depth look at role-specific best practices for serving LGBTQ foster and adoptive parents. Topics include facts and myths around LGBTQ parenting, law and policy, LGBTQ parent recruitment, home studies, and matching and placement with LGBTQ-headed families.

The Whole Family is on a Journey: Strategies for Helping Families When Their Child Comes Out
When: Wednesday, June 9 at 10 AM PST
Provider: HRC, All Children All Families
RSVP: register here
Family response is the most important indicator of outcomes for LGBTQ youth. Family rejection correlates with every known risk factor - suicide, substance use & abuse, homelessness, family violence, truancy, and smoking. Even small changes in rejecting behavior can significantly reduce these risks. Incorporating the work of Dr. Caitlin Ryan, and using an intersectional lens, this webinar will focus on ways in which social workers can support families at various points in their journey.
CONNECTION
BOOK CLUBS

Coastline Book Group
Where: CASA's private backyard in Cheviot Hills*
When: Tuesday, July 13 at 2 PM
We're Reading: "Unknown Bridesmaid" by Margaret Forster
RSVP: contact Jeanne Irving @ jirving@advocatecasala.org
*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.

San Fernando Valley Book Group
Where: CASA's private backyard in Studio City*
When: Tuesday, July 13 at 7 PM
We're Reading: "Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America" by Nefertiti Austen
RSVP: contact Renne Bilson @ rjbilson@aol.com 
*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.

Want to host a book club? Contact Betsy Ann Mudd.
CASA CONNECTIONS
Opportunities for CASA volunteers to connect with and support each other in this work.

Early Childhood (0~5) Tuesday, June 15, 5 PM
Middle Childhood (6~9) Wednesday, June 23, 4 PM
Tween (10~14) Tuesday, June 1, 6 PM
Transitional Age Youth (15~17) Wednesday, June 16, 3 PM
Non-Minor Dependent (18~21) Tuesday, June 8, 5 PM
Events
THANK YOU to ALL CASA volunteers for making the 9th Annual Evening to Foster Dreams Gala a HUGE success!

With your help, we raised over $600,000 to continue our advocacy for the children and youth in Los Angeles County’s child welfare system. We would like to give special thanks to our CASA volunteers who each played a critical role in the success of this event.

Ashley Grace, gala chair, board member & CASA advocate, showed us that there is no end to her energy and enthusiasm! Her work as gala chair and host of this event will be remembered for years to come.

Renne Bilson, long-time volunteer since 1986, has shown tireless commitment to this cause by serving on both the gala and silent auction committees. The daysail on the Frank Gehry designed sailboat is always a huge hit!

Erin Foster, CASA volunteer & gem of a human, has used her platform to bring so much support to our organization. The love shared from your family and friends warmed our hearts and we'd like to join them in saying, "WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU!"

Susie Herron, CASA advocate since 2016, your love and commitment to your CASA youth Mikayla is inspiring. Thank you for letting us highlight you and showing us all the deep impact that CASA advocacy can provide.

Allyson Pfeifer, CASA advocate, former board member and gala chair, helped pave the way for our gala to be the successful event it is today. Thank you for your continued support, especially for helping us invite Ike Barinholtz to the CASA community.

Two new volunteers who recently joined us during the pandemic deserve special shout-outs! Gioia Giacomelli, thank you for securing one of our biggest auction items of the night, a trip to Tuscany. And Julie Mintz, your rendition of CCR's "Who'll Stop The Rain" with your pal Moby was a touching tribute to why our advocacy is needed.

Thank all to our volunteers who supported the gala through sponsorships, contributing silent auction items, or making a donation, you have helped to make this event a truly remarkable success.

Watch the gala below:
For CASA Youth
Pride Month Events


Rainbowathon: Livestream music event on Thursday, June 3, 6 PM


Trans Finances: Free workshop on Monday, June 7, 5-6 PM

One City, One Pride: 40 days of LGBTQ Arts. May 22 - June 30

LA Pride: Check out the LA Pride website for a full list of events. June 1-30
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

We are pleased to partner with Children’s Law Center to provide a follow-up vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 5th at the Children's Law Center offices in Monterey Park.
 
  • If your youth or their family attended the vaccination clinic on May 15th and received the Pfizer vaccine, they can attend this clinic and receive their second shot, no appointment needed.
  • The clinic is also offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for folks 18 years and over, by appointment.
 
Children's Law Center has also provided a great FAQ for youth who might have questions about the vaccine.
 
If you have any questions, please reach out to Maegan Mattock.
Resources for Volunteers
Meet other CASA volunteers virtually for monthly discussions and support. Connections are organized by age group of youth served. Sign up here.
You can visit our website for the most up to date version of our court report writing handbook and templates for your court report. In-service trainings on this topic are held quarterly.
CASA/LA cares about the well-being of our advocates. As a volunteer, you have access to our EAP program for anonymous telephonic counseling.
Join the CASA resource forum in Muut to search/share resources, communicate with other CASAs, ask questions, and get updates. Read the following instructions to begin.
Visit Litmos to access webinars on transitional age youth, early childhood, etc.
Look in your advocate email for an invitation from CASA/LA or contact your supervisor.
Read our volunteer handbook for any CASA/LA policies regarding anything from conflict of interest, mandatory reporting, boundaries, or posting on social media.
TECH
Need help with ETO?
Contact Josh Saxelby-Valle at jsaxelby-valle@casala.org or 323.859.2888 x.6354
CASA of Los Angeles | 323-859-2888 | www.casala.org