SLO CASA Continues Our Mission!
We are still at it, working harder than ever, to support our CASA volunteers to stay connected and help the children we serve. Children in foster care need us now, more than ever. We appreciate all our volunteers and all you are doing to support the children and families .
100% Online Volunteer Training
CASA made it happen!

CASA's first 100% ONLINE volunteer training started April 14th with 15 trainees and Melanie Barket as the trainer!

CASA Volunteer Recruitmen t will not stop!

May 2020 Info Sessions
Send an email to staff@slocasa.org or call the office to schedule a personal Info Session or visit https://slocasa.org/casa-training/
We appreciate you sharing with family and friends!
Online Tracking Form
We know you won't forget, but just in case you need a reminder.
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.
Welcome New CASA Volunteers


Judge Crandall swore in 10 new CASA volunteers during Celebrate CASA. Now, 14 children on our wait-list were assigned a volunteer!
May Continuing Education Opportunities
Click the link  Continuing Education Calendar  to find ALL CE opportunities! 
Cooing, Babbling, Gestures and Jargon - Talk is Powerful

Thursday, May 21st 1-2:30 PM via Zoom
 Please RSVP to mbarket@slocasa.org

Presenter: Terry Shue
Together we’ll focus on the infant and toddler’s developmental journey in acquiring language and learning to talk as we discuss the receptive and expressive speech and language developmental milestones young children meet as they grow. Includes discussion of typical and atypical development and a look at activities, attitudes and adult behaviors that support or hinder speech and language acquisition. Think of the young infant smiling, the one year old holding outstretched arms uttering “up”, the toddler saying with gusto “Mine” or the two year old sternly reminding others “No, me do it”. Time for Q and A included.

Terry Shue is a veteran educator with a wide variety of experiences and expertise in early childhood education and child development. Currently, she teaches at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA as faculty emeritus in the Child Studies Department. She specializes in program development, leadership and administration of early childhood programs, and favors courses covering the young child’s language development, creative and artistic development and experiences that support optimum growth and healthy development. Terry has a Masters in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from San Diego State University.

You will receive 1 1/2 hours of continuing education.
Surrogate Parent for Education Training
May 12th from 1-2:30 pm
via Zoom
 Please RSVP to mbarket@slocasa.org

Presenter: Liz Smith, Director, SELPA (Special Education Local Area Plan)
This is an informative training that you must take if you would like to be able to hold the educational rights for your assigned CASA child. All CASAs can advocate for their child educationally, but it is the person who holds education rights who has the primary authority to make educational decisions and sign documents.   We encourage all advocates to take this training. (You may take this training yet decide not to hold educational rights if asked – no obligation!)
You will receive 1 1/2 hours continuing education.    
COVID-19 Update #2
May 26th 2-3:00 pm
via Zoom

 Please RSVP to mbarket@slocasa.org

Presenter: Katie Robinson - CASA Program Director
We are offering another opportunity for us to come "together" through Zoom to get updates from CASA related to our mission of supporting foster children and youth. As we continue to embrace the frequent changes since the shelter at home order, we have more information to share with you. We will be reviewing what changes have been made at a federal, state and local level affecting foster children and youth. 
Please join us to get the most up to date information regarding policies and practices impacting foster youth and how we can continue to support our children and youth.
You will receive 1 hour continuing education.    
Learning can be fun! Why not use your shelter-in-place time to take in some content that helps you satisfy your CASA Continuing Education commitment?

Looking for suggestions? Look no further than these two handy lists, with links, for podcasts, movies, and books that qualify. Many of these are popular titles that you will enjoy, 'cause learning can be fun! 


--includes 35 brief summaries and the Group's take on how the title applies to the lives of CASA children.  

Important Facts about Continuing Education
* Each CASA commits to earning 12 hours per fiscal year (ends in June)
* Minute-for-minute credit for movies, podcasts, webcasts,etc.
* Books: 1 hour for every 100 pages
* Audio books: minute-for-minute 
* Wondering "Does this qualify?" Ask your supervisor!

FREE AUDIO BOOKS - SLO County Library   
The county's library system lets you check out audiobooks digitally! You can read on your laptop or phone, listen from a computer or phone. They make it easy--just follow the directions on their website. 

Book n Movie Group, as you might guess, will not be meeting until further notice. 
TIPS
We understand that everyone is trying to find a new normal. We selected some resources to help CASA volunteers and families. We hope you will find something in here that will help bring some structure, sense of calm and encouragement in uncertain times.
CASA Team Updates
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
The many joys and benefits our devoted staff and volunteers bring to CASA's mission make it possible for all of us to keep doing this work year after year. Words alone can't convey how fortunate we feel to have shared so many years with these wonderful people. Because you will miss them, too, please join us in wishing a happy retirement to these three people. 
Cathy Orton dedicated 20 years to CASA, most recently serving as our Resource Development Director. Most volunteers know her for her excellence in leading our training classes for many years. Cathy also has handled public relations, public speaking, and coordinating a wide range of activities for CASA. While she has enjoyed her many years at CASA, she felt this was a good time to transition into retirement. 
Devoted volunteers! Nearly two decades ago each of these kind ladies walked into our office and began to "help." Wow, what an amazing benefit they have been to the children of this county, and what a delight for us at CASA! When you begin missing emails from Bernadette Tellefson and seeing cheerful Pam Wood at a desk in the office, know that they are savoring their memories of many useful years in our CASA office. 
We are excited to announce some changes!
Melanie Barket is now the Training and Recruitment Manager!
"I've been with CASA for almost 7 years now and have had the privilege of holding several positions including Mentor Program Supervisor, North County Program Manager and Advocate Supervisor. I have had the honor of working with an amazing team of advocates and the youth they served. I am now excited to be doing what I love most, teaching the CASA Training classes and recruiting volunteers!
Patty Smith is our
Grants Manager
and, she still coordinates CASA's Movie & Book Club

"After many years as a CASA volunteer, I'm really excited to now be doing something which helps CASA continue expanding its reach to even more children. CASA represents 20% more children in the county than it did 5 years ago, and with greater funding we can help even more." 
Welcome Rayne Rice Advocate Supervisor
"I'm excited to join this amazing CASA team! I spent the first half of my career working in special education with students from three years of age through adulthood. I spent many years training staff how to teach students with Autism Spectrum disorder. I'm passionate about disadvantaged youths getting the services and help they need so they may access whatever life has coming their way." 
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