Note from the Executive Director | |
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To our CASAs,
Happy New Year! We are thrilled to begin another year of supporting your impactful advocacy on behalf of children throughout our county.
We are always looking to enhance your experience as a CASA. One way we do that is to ensure that we are providing you with useful ways to learn and grow in your role. This year we are resolving to be even more proactive about sharing tools and resources that will help you explore issues and topics that are important to the children and families you serve, especially content that will allow you to earn the 12 hours of annual continuing education that are required by National CASA and the State of California. Stay tuned for ideas and suggestions from your supervisor and in the Courier.
Have you read a good book, listened to a podcast, or watched a documentary that deepened your understanding of children and families? Tell us about it!
With appreciation, always,
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Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS
Executive Director, Riverside County
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The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
This six-part documentary series on Netflix investigates the tragic death of an eight-year-old boy and follows the public trials of his guardians and social workers prompt questions about the system's protection of vulnerable children.
If you have watched this series at any point after July 1, 2022, please alert your supervisor to be credited with 6 of your 12 required hours of Continuing Education!
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Through the Remote Advocacy Program, seasoned CASAs can provide much needed advocacy for a child living out-of-county. During the pandemic, we learned to leverage technology and be creative when CASAs and their children couldn’t see each other for regular in-person visits. With your help, we want to put this new knowledge to use to serve children who’ve been languishing on our wait list because of the location of their placement.
If you are considering taking on a remote advocacy case in addition to the youth you are serving, please contact Sharon Morris at SharonM@speakupnow.org for more information.
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The 25th Annual Gardens Concert Series
Voices for Children is so excited to be on the roster amongst some other amazing nonprofits for the 2023 Concert Series at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. On Saturday, February 11, come enjoy the musical stylings of Journey Captured (a Journey tribute band) while sipping wine under the beautiful desert sky. Ticket sale proceeds will benefit VFC! We are beyond grateful to our sponsor Orr Builders.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
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Fabulous Funders
You most likely love their burgers and fries but did you know that In-N-Out Burger gives back to the community? Its foundation assists children who have been victims of child abuse by supporting programs with similar missions. Since our inception in 2015, VFC has been awarded a grant from the In-N-Out Burger Foundation. We are beyond grateful for their partnership and belief in our mission.
If you learn of a grant or other funding opportunity, please contact Brianna Miller at BriannaM@speakupnow.org.
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Going forward, we will be hosting Small Group sessions both in person and virtually.
Please feel free to attend the format with which you're most comfortable. Please also keep in mind that you must attend three Small Groups each year as part of your Continuing Education requirement!
Small Group: Managing Time as a CASA
Struggling with ways to balance all of the aspects of your CASA service? Join Melanie Thomas to discuss ways to manage contact with your child, case professionals, and CE requirements while not overextending your role as a CASA. Send your RSVP to MelanieT@speakupnow.org so she knows to expect you.
Thursday, January 19, 2023, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Small Group: Providing Consistency
Come meet with Tiffany Escorcia and other CASAs to talk about ways to provide the consistency that we know each child needs and deserves. RSVP to TiffanyE@speakupnow.org to let her know you'll be attending.
Wednesday, January 25, 2023; 9:00am-10:30am
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Scheduled CE Workshops
Serving Medically Fragile Youth
Event presented by Voices for Children
Wednesday, January 11, 2023; 11:00am-12:00pm
Join Paloma Quiroz and Peter Tran, the head of the Public Health Nurse unit for Riverside County, to learn about the ways public health nurses serve our youth and educate CASAs on best practices when serving a medically fragile youth. Send your RSVP to PalomaQ@speakupnow.org to reserve your spot!
Instigating Resilience in Youth
Tuesday, January 17, 2023; 9:00am-12:30pm
Event presented by Children's Fund Inc.
This workshop led by Ami Davis will build off of the “de-escalation” workshop, so that once we learn how to calm people and help them feel safe, what are the next steps to helping them excel? This discussion will introduce participants to Positive Youth Development and Forward-Facing Trauma Theory, both of which are designed to help trauma survivors embrace their own personal power and instigate their resilience to lead to better outcomes moving forward.
Reserve your spot here and make sure to let your Advocacy Supervisor know once you've attended.
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The Overlooked Obstacle: Strengthening Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies to Better Support Student Success & Equity
Thursday, January 19, 2023; 1:00pm-2:00pm
Event presented by John Burton Advocates for Youth
Overall, nearly one in four students did not meet satisfactory academic progress for their first two consecutive college terms, jeopardizing their continued access to financial aid. This webinar will highlight findings gleaned from the Community of Practice, including best practices and recommendations for postsecondary institutions to create student-centered and equity-based SAP policies and processes. Attendees will learn methods to review their institutions’ policies, enhance communication with students regarding SAP requirements and financial aid appeals, and leverage data to provide targeted support to students at risk of financial aid disqualification.
For more information and how to register, click here. Don't forget to let your Advocacy Supervisor know once you have completed the session!
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What We're Reading
Each month we'll highlight a staff member's new favorite novel, movie, or podcast.
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Our incredible Executive Director, Jessica Muñoz, is watching Because We Are Girls. This Canadian documentary film, directed by Baljit Sangra and released in 2019, centers on Jeeti, Kira, and Salakshana Pooni, three Punjabi Canadian sisters from Williams Lake, British Columbia who have gone public in adulthood about allegations of childhood sexual abuse by a cousin who frequently babysat them as children. Watch this gripping tale on Amazon Prime!
After you have finished watching, please contact your Advocacy Supervisor to receive continuing education credit and discuss your thoughts on the film!
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Advocacy Focus
January is National Self-Love Month! We know the new year always brings new resolutions and ways to improve. But this month is a great opportunity to teach our kiddos that even though they have new goals, it is equally important to love themselves just the way they are! No scale can measure their kindness, compassion, creativity, or uniqueness! Help them honor this month by celebrating their wins, reminisce on some of the joys they have brought to your life, or even write out letters of gratitude. Watch that self-love shine and see how it carries over into their self-esteem at school, home, and daily activities! Make sure to reach out to your Advocacy Supervisor if you need guidance on how to navigate this important topic!
Desert Kids Fun Fest
Saturday, January 14, 2023; 10:00am-2:00pm
Palm Desert Center Civic Park: 42900 San Pablo, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Admission: Free!
Come and enjoy activities for kids of all ages at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. There will be plenty of activities for the kids. There will also be food trucks, so come hungry! Learn more here.
Riverside Cars and Coffee
Saturday, January 21, 2023; 8:00am-10:00am
J&M Speed Center: 3230 Motor Circle, Riverside, CA 92504
Admission: Free!
If your youth is interested in cars, this may be a fun outing for you! Come and check out some cool cars at this car show!
Riverside Lunar Festival
- Saturday, January 28, 2023; 11:00am-8:00pm
- Sunday, January 29, 2023; 11:00am-8:00pm
3527-3573 Mission Inn Avenue Riverside, CA 92501
Admission: Free!
Performers from all around LA will showcase their talents during the festival, and food is always a central part of any Lunar New Year celebration. This event will also feature local and regional artisans, and young children can experience the fun-zone inflatable rides and an obstacle course!
Saturday Storytime
- Saturday, January 21, 2023; 11:00am
- Saturday, January 28, 2023; 11:00am
Galleria at Tyler, Barnes & Noble: 1299 Galleria at Tyler, Riverside, CA 92503
Admission: Free!
Join some animated readers every Saturday morning for story time and an activity designed for elementary school age kids at Barnes & Noble!
iFoster Back to School Resources
Click here to access iFoster's very first newsletter for resources from free laptops for college, free K-12 tutoring services, discounted school supplies, and more!
Youth Opportunity Center (YOC)
From innovation center classes, to youth sports leagues, to summer school tutoring, the YOC has it all! Check out this Riverside Events Catalog for some free and low-cost activities taking place from now through Spring 2023. This facility offers a combination of virtual and in-person classes and events to explore with your case child!
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Submit Your Mileage and Case Hours
Please submit this form no later than January 7 to your Advocacy Supervisor. Remember to include time spent driving to and from visits, attending meetings, and other CASA-related efforts.
Even if you did not drive last month, please submit the form with an estimation of hours spent calling, researching, and writing. This tally is a helpful way for us to quantify the advocacy investment each of you contributes to your case. Your child matters and the hours you spend on their case help to illustrate that reality.
Upcoming VFC Office Closures
VFC staff will be in the office at a minimum of one time per week. If you would like to meet in person, please contact your Advocacy Supervisor to coordinate a date and time!
Monday January 2, 2023 (Winter Break)
For after-hours case emergencies, contact our 24-hour VFC hotline at 1-858-336-0609.
Second Saturday
Every second Saturday of the month, we encourage our volunteers, staff, board members, and other supporters to showcase their VFC apparel. Join us by wearing yours on Saturday, January 14 to help spread awareness about Voices for Children.
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"It is not enough to be compassionate, you must act"
~Dalai Lama
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