Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Luis Obispo County

During this fiscal year CASA of San Luis Obispo County held six thirty-three hour training sessions for new volunteers. Training subjects included mandated reporter training, the effects of drug and alcohol abuse and violence on children and families, dependency law, child development, understanding diverse cultures, and writing court reports. Fifty-three volunteers were trained and sworn in by the Juvenile Court Judge. Fifty took their first case during this period as well. Our volunteers donated more than 29,000 hours and drove more than 160,000 miles to fulfill their CASA duties. Each volunteer was assigned to an Advocate Supervisor who supervises no more than 30 volunteers. The volunteers review all information concerning their assigned child including reports from social workers as well as medical and school records. The CASA volunteer is assigned to that child until the case is resolved in court. The volunteer prepares a court report prior to each hearing. This report contains objective, relevant information and makes recommendations on the childs best interests including reunification with parents, placement and plan for permanency, medical needs, mental health issues and educational concerns. The Juvenile Court Judge reviews the CASA reports and may ask the advocate for additional information and set additional review dates for receipt of that information. The CASA volunteer often provides information not otherwise available to the court, for example observations on relationships, academic performance, behavior that may warrant mental health services or counseling. The volunteer identifies services that are needed. This enables the judge to have more complete data. The CASA volunteer provides an unbiased extra set of eyes on the child in an overburdened system.Children require more than safety and shelter while they are in foster care. Their needs are often quite complicated, with issues ranging from the trauma inherent in abuse and neglect, remedial education needs and overlooked health concerns. CASA advocacy helps ensure access to appropriate health, mental health and dental services. Additionally, CASA volunteers are excellent role models for the children. With numerous studies documenting the positive impact that mentoring has on reducing negative behaviors such as substance abuse, violence, school failure and absenteeism, gang involvement and delinquency. The CASA volunteers positive and close relationship to the child provides stability during a time of uncertainty. Through weekly visits, volunteers provide a consistent adult friend that influences the childs ability to make good choices, to form healthy and trusting relationships, and behave responsibly. CASA volunteers interaction helps to empower the child to overcome the negative consequences of their abuse and neglect. CASA helps to ensure that children do not get lost in the system and brings childrens needs and circumstances to the attention of the juvenile court so that needed services are ordered. Advocating in the court and the community for the childs best interest, volunteers help create a safe, stable life for the child until the case is resolved in court, while also acting as a friend and mentor. During this tax year 210 volunteer advocates provided advocacy services as described above for 310 children in San Luis Obispo County.