Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS

President & CEO

This Land Podcast: Season 2

This eight-part podcast is hosted by Native American journalist Rebecca Nagle and takes listeners through the 40-year history of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). During the episodes, Nagle shares her year-long investigation into a federal lawsuit, Brackeen v. Haaland, spurred by an adoption dispute in Dallas. What Nagle and her investigative team discovered is a well-funded, systemic operation that is using Native children to attack ICWA, and threaten American Indian tribes. Stream now on Apple or Vudu!

If you have listened to this podcast please let your supervisor know and you will be credited with 4 of your 12 required hours of Continuing Education!

We are looking for a strong male advocate for our featured case child, Chris.

In November of 2020 Chris's mother called the police stating her oldest son had kidnapped her four younger children, as they had called him to say their mother was physically abusing them. Earlier that same year, the children witnessed their father shoot himself, and the mother was now abusing alcohol and methamphetamines. Chris likes football, skateboarding, music, and playing video games. He has an IEP for reading, writing and math. He does not like Wraparound and has turned down any therapist he has been offered. 

If you are interested in learning more about this case, or considering taking another, please contact Sharon Morris.

We are so thrilled to announce two staff promotions! Nicole Boettger has been promoted from Advocacy Supervisor to Program Manager. Our southwest region is growing and Nicole will head up the team that consists of Advocacy Supervisors Alfred Williams, Tiffany Strenn, and a new supervisor we are in the process of hiring! In addition, Kathi Shaner has also been promoted to Community Outreach Manager as we look to continue to grow our recruitment efforts! Kathi will be heading up a team of amazing CASA volunteers who will be attending events to spread the word about the fantastic work all of you do as an advocate for a child in care! If you are interested in joining this team, please contact Kathi at KathiS@speakupnow.org Congratulations to both Nicole and Kathi!

CASA of the Month

We want to give a round of applause to our Riverside County Court Appointed Special Advocate of the Month, Brandi! CASA Brandi exemplifies how the lasting impact of all the small and big actions a CASA takes to advocate for their case youth makes a difference. To read her inspiring story, click here.

Five-Year Anniversaries

This month we are giving a shout out to three very special volunteers who have just reached their fifth year milestones as CASAs with Voices for Children! 

Roberta Wesley (who goes by Robin), has been instrumental in changing the lives of eight dependent youth since February 2018. Four of her case children were reunified with their families. Unfortunately, they came back into the system and without judgement Robin advocated again for them and their family and, with Robin’s consistent support, the family reunified successfully. Robin has advocated for an NMD who had absolutely no one. Robin was always there for him. She listened to him, celebrated his artistic talents, spent time helping him navigate the public transportation system, learning simple activities such as making a doctor appointment, and so much more, making his transition into adulthood easier. Robin is currently advocating for a sibling group of three children and a medically fragile teenager, making a huge difference in their lives, as well. Robin has never turned down a case no matter how unfamiliar the circumstances and has changed the world by making a positive impact in her eight youth’s lives.

Barbara Leadholm has been a CASA for 5 years with the same case child! She started with her case child when she was only 12 years old and has been the epitome of consistency in this young girl’s life. Barbara attends all meetings and hearings, and writes amazing Court reports, she always makes sure she has all of the important details. She is her case child’s biggest supporter and advocate, sticking by her side through many placement changes, therapists, and SSPs within the last five years. Barbara is an exemplary CASA, and deservedly won the Champions Volunteer Foundation Hero Program award for Riverside County in January 2023!

David Smith has served 3 dependent youths during his five years as a CASA! David does not shy away from taking cases that others might see as challenging or ones that are too far away. He is a positive male role model that learns about the youth's interests and introduces them to his passion for outdoor activities and national parks. He takes on roles such as educational rights holder with ease and travels long distances to make sure his youths feel supported. He is not shy to speak up in Court to make sure his youth's needs are being met.

Taste of Summer: Rancho Mirage

Voices for Children is so excited to be a part of the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Taste of Summer event. From July 17th to August 13th, savor the best of the city’s culinary scene. For just $10, an event wristband opens up a world of exclusive summer specials at over 20 participating Rancho Mirage restaurants. Wristbands are available now. If you are interested in purchasing wristbands and/or are willing to help sell some to your friends and family, please contact Brianna at (951) 472-9300 or BriannaM@speakupnow.org. Please note, wristbands cannot be mailed. Help your favorite nonprofit, help a local business, help your hunger.

Focusing Philanthropy's Gift Matching Challenge

It’s that time again! For the fifth year, VFC is partnering with Focusing Philanthropy, a renowned Southern California-based foundation, for a gift-matching challenge. Focusing Philanthropy will give an additional $1 for every $2 that VFC raises up to $200,000!. That’s a total of $300,000, enough to serve 150 children! Gifts must be $500 or greater to qualify for the match.

Click HERE to make your secure online gift. If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to Focusing Philanthropy, and mail it to Focusing Philanthropy at 1637 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Directing your gift to Focusing Philanthropy allows them to confirm that gifts meet their criteria for a match and provide appropriate documentation for the IRS. Focusing Philanthropy does not charge any administrative fees, so the entire gift benefits VFC.



If you or someone you know is interested in making a generous, tax-deductible gift of $500 or more, please follow the above instructions or contact Brianna at

BriannaM@speakupnow.org.

Please keep in mind that you must attend three Small Groups each year as part of your Continuing Education requirement!

Small Group: Self Care

Our self-care is often something we fail to prioritize in our busy daily lives. It is especially important for those of us that work with youth who have experienced trauma. So let’s get to it! Join Marsha Carey in this small group to learn a few self-care exercises, share ideas, and leave as healthier people! RSVP to MarshaC@speakupnow.org to let her know you'll be attending.

Wednesday, July 12, 2023; 10:00am-11:30am

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 818 0553 1632
• Passcode: 373862

Quarterly Book Club: Lost Boy

Join Melanie Thomas to discuss the novel, Lost Boy by W. W. Welde. Before he was helped by a volunteer special advocate and a new case worker, before he was taken in by a couple in witness protection with a price on their heads, conveniently supplied by a Miami Drug Lord who wanted them dead, before he spent two nights in jail, charged with murder, and before his foster father was shot and almost killed by an assassin, James Pope was a 12-year-old orphan living a mundane life in a run-down, Los Angeles-area group home. Join us to discuss this sharp, provocative, dangerous, critical, and important novel about the foster care system. In addition to receiving credit for the Small Group, you will also receive continuing education credit for reading the book! Make sure to send your RSVP to MelanieT@speakupnow.org to save your spot.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023; 12:00pm-1:30pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 857 7808 1318
• Passcode: 259329

Small Group: Open Topic

Join Paloma Quiroz and other CASAs to discuss your case struggles and successes. This is a great opportunity to obtain advice, support, and motivation from your peers as well as staff insight. Send your RSVP to PalomaQ@speakupnow.org so she knows to expect you. 

Thursday, July 27, 2023; 4:00pm-5:30pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 882 9112 4007
• Passcode: 370486

Scheduled CE Workshops

The Real Word

Wednesday, July 18, 2023; 6:00pm-7:30pm

Event presented by Voices for Children

This month, we will host a special Real Word panel focusing on summertime! The Real Word is a presentation comprised of youth and young adults who currently live or have lived in foster care after experiencing abuse, abandonment, or neglect by their parents or caregivers. Join us as panelists answer questions and talk about what summertime was like in foster care – how was summer different for them than their peers, what they may have missed out on, how was their college housing affected, and more. Whether you’ve been a CASA for several years or are brand new to Voices for Children, the panelists will inspire, humble, and uplift you as they share their personal stories and describe how the CASA program has made an impact on their lives as foster youth.

Child's Mind on Technology

Event presented by Child Abuse Training and Technical Assistance Center 

Tuesday, July 19, 2023; 10:30am-2:30pm

This virtual conference aims to answer the question, “@hat effect does technology have on a child’s mind?” The conference will provide research-based methods to help the next generations develop healthier relationships with technology. Speakers Dr. Anna Lembke, MD and Dr. Jenny Radesky, MD will explore the links between technology, addiction, and resilience, as well as share tips and tools to help parents and children manage its use.

Click here to register and make sure to let your supervisor once you have attended!

County Counsel 101

Event presented by Voices for Children

Tuesday, July 25, 2023; 3:30pm-5:00pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 814 1533 8597
• Passcode: 773798

At this session, we will get to hear from Chief Deputy County Counsel, Jason Seward, who will be sharing an overview of county counsel, what a typical day looks like from his perspective, and ways CASAs have been and can continue to be helpful! RSVP to TiffanyE@speakupnow.org to let her know you plan to attend.

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention."

~Oscar Wilde

Voices for Children | 951-472-9301 | www.speakupnow.org