Stronger Together CALIFORNIA CASA 2019/20
Impact Report
THE CALIFORNIA CASA WAY
We connect all of California’s 44 local CASA programs through statewide meetings, training sessions, and online communication networks. We raise awareness of the need for Court Appointed Special Advocates across our state and provide support, advice, resources, and oversight to maintain high-quality programs that serve children’s foster care and the CASA volunteers who work on their behalf. 2
OUR VALUES
EMPATHY DEDICATION COLLABORATION JUSTICE EXPERTISE RESOURCEFULNESS INCLUSIVENESS INTEGRITY OPTMISM GRATITUDE
OUR VISION
That one day every foster child in California will have access to the transformative service and support of a CASA volunteer. OUR MISSION
California Court Appointed Special Advocate Association ensures that children and youth in the foster care system have both a voice and the services they need for a stable future. FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.
- Lyndon B. Johnson
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CALIFORNIA CASA
Dear Friends,
As our country has faced the extraordinary challenges of a devastating pandemic, we have seen the incredible resilience of our constituents: our local CASA executive directors, their staffs, their CASAs, and their boards. Here at California CASA, we have rallied to assist our 44 programs in every way possible—from moving them rapidly to remote work environments to problem-solving numerous issues together. We have advised them on managing a team in different locations, creating virtual special events, and connecting and supporting CASA volunteers remotely, all the while providing for their technical needs and easing a general sense of isolation. We have raised funds for their equipment and operations, instituted ongoing Zoom meetings for our CASA leaders every other week, and offered a robust program of webinars occurring twice a week on a wide variety of topics. California CASA also provided extensive individual coaching and training, created statewide recruitment campaigns for new CASAs, upgraded data management systems, and implemented CASA University, a virtual online training platform for volunteers. All of this was done without any cost to our local programs. While this has been a very difficult time for our programs, it has been exponentially harder for our children in foster care. They have had to attend school online, had visits with family postponed or canceled, and had to interact with their CASAs only via Facetime, Zoom video conferences, texts, emails, or phone calls. In spite of these challenges, CASAs have shown extraordinary dedication and creativity in supporting their children. Up and down California, we are hearing stories of heroic commitment from our CASAs, and equally heroic support of them by the local CASA program staff who are also dealing with their own personal issues in this chaotic time. In 2019, our Board of Directors launched an ambitious vision called Serve Every Child/ California, with the ultimate goal of serving 60% of the children in California foster care (approximately 50,000) by 2030. COVID-19 has temporarily put that vision on hold, as we seek sustainability for our entire network. But we remain steadfast in our determination to return to our vision as soon as we can. Our children deserve our wholehearted commitment to provide them with the life-altering gift of a CASA. Your support over the years has made that dream possible and we are deeply, deeply grateful. With our appreciation,
Kevin Gardner Board Chair
Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq. Chief Executive Officer
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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Three Key Outcomes
SAFETY A FOREVER HOME WELL-BEING 5 KEY ACTIONS OF A CASA
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Court Appointed Special Advocates help children navigate the foster care system:
ADVOCATE
Speak up for the best interests of a child
SUPPORT
Provide a stable and caring relationship
INVESTIGATE
Gather important information
REPORT
Organize and present details
RECOMMEND
Offer solutions that will improve the situation
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CALIFORNIA CASA
Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something - Max Lucado
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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CASA volunteers play a unique role on behalf of some of our most vulnerable children. Their commitment, vigilance, and persistence offer hope where there has been little. - Marian Wright Edelman, Founder of the Children’s Defense Fund
Why CASA Matters A child in foster care needs someone to look up to, someone to count on. Having a stable relationship with a supportive adult can help children do well, even when they have faced significant trauma and hardship. California has more foster children than any state in the nation―12.4% of the 672,594 children who live each year in foster care. That’s 83,500 California children whose lives have been turned upside down through no fault of their own. Often from an early age, they face unimaginable trauma and are forced to deal with complex emotions that should not be part of childhood: sadness, anger, fear, hopelessness, and grief. They have lost trust in adults. Their hearts ache. They bear the scars of trauma―inside and out. All children have the right to live in an environment free from abuse and neglect. They need a family and a permanent place to call home. To thrive, they need consistency and connectedness in their lives. CASA volunteers are devoted to making those things possible for children in foster care. Today, 8,798 California men and women are doing just that: helping children in foster care one-on-one as their court advocates, mentors, role models, champions, and beacons of hope.
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FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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She was the one person in life who I could go to with my all of my successes and failures. I knew she wouldn’t judge me and that she would help me find my way. - Former foster youth about his CASA volunteer
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CALIFORNIA CASA
STATEWIDE OUTCOMES
THE NEED FOR STABILITY ***
80%
of youth who entered foster care at age 12 or older leave the system through emancipation
56% 44% 40%
of youth in foster care are ultimately reunified with a family member of youth in foster care will not graduate high school are unemployed by age 24
40%
experience homelessness upon aging out of the foster care system
28% 21%
receive public assistance by age 21 of children in foster care in CA are adopted FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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***
87%
of placements in California’s foster care system are due to neglect
Trauma & Resilience Foster Children Are Most Vulnerable to Adverse Childhood Experiences Pediatrician Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California’s Surgeon General, has dedicated much of her career to spreading the word about the dangers of toxic stress to children, championing a multidisciplinary approach to these problems to improve health and build resiliency in youth. Childhood adversity not only affects brain development; it can alter children’s hormonal systems, immune systems, and even their DNA. This can cause behavioral problems, learning difficulties, and physical health issues. Exposure to ACEs (the acronym for Adverse Childhood Experiences) includes abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and parental mental illness and substance abuse. Children in foster care experience these traumas far more often than other children, and it can shape not only their behavior and health but also their worldview. As powerful as ACEs can be in the lives of these children, there are concrete solutions to reduce their impact. In a recent interview, Dr. Burke Harris explains that the “science and research show that having someone to look out for you is really important for improving outcomes. Biologically, safe and stable and nurturing relationships release a cascade of processes in the brain and the body to help arrest the biological stress response. That’s the power of a program like CASA, that supports kids who are at known risk, who are going through our court system. CASAs provide someone who is just there for them, who is just looking out for them.”
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Neglect is frequently defined as the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility for the child to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to the degree that the child’s health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm.
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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Hope for a Better Future CASA Volunteers: A Consistent Presence in a Child’s Life CASA volunteers are everyday people who support children and families in crisis. When a child enters the child welfare system due to allegations of abuse or neglect, a CASA volunteer may be appointed by a judge in a local court to advocate for the child and family. CASA volunteers are welltrained and supervised by professionals in private, nonprofit local CASA programs, and they bring a unique level of dedication to children, families, and communities. On average, it costs only around $2,500 per year to recruit, train, and supervise a CASA volunteer to advocate for a child in foster care. Once assigned, they take a trauma-informed approach to address mental, physical, and educational needs and work to ensure children’s safety while in foster care. CASA volunteers keep children connected to their culture and cultural identity and advocate to keep families connected and together when safe and possible. CASA volunteers recognize that permanency (both legal and relational) is essential to a child’s well-being. More than just a valuable resource for advocacy, the care and consistency of a CASA can build a foundation of stability in the child to whom they are assigned. The feeling of knowing there’s a caring and reliable adult by their side is the priceless gift that CASAs provide for children. 12
ACCORDING TO CHILDREN’S ATTORNEYS AND SOCIAL WORKERS, CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH A CASA VOLUNTEER ARE MORE LIKELY TO: RECEIVE NEEDED SERVICES
in a timely manner
BE ENROLLED
in an appropriate educational setting
PARTICIPATE
in extracurricular activities
HAVE LONG-TERM CONNECTIONS
to siblings, relatives, or other key individuals
BE ON TRACK
to graduate high school on time
ENROLL
in post-secondary education
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES
A CONSTANT IN AN OTHERWISE CHAOTIC LIFE
***
14,150
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE served by the California CASA network
8,798
Active CASA VOLUNTEERS statewide
559,394 TOTAL HOURS CONTRIBUTED by CASA Volunteers
$17.6M+ *
TOTAL VALUE OF SERVICE HOURS by CASAs in one year
*Independent Sector rate for State of California of $31.51/hour
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CASA IMPACT STATISTICS
44
542
99%
$49,097,298
Local CASA programs in California’s network
Percentage of children in foster care living in the 51 counties served by CASA programs
Staff Members employed by local CASA programs statewide
Total Annual Revenue of all local CASA programs statewide
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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CALIFORNIA CASA
Serving Our State Network California CASA provides a wide range of services that strengthen CASA service, quality, and impact. Through our leadership and partnerships with community members, judges, and lawmakers, the CASA network continues to thrive.
Training
We serve local CASA programs through technical assistance, training opportunities, materials, and resources to address the educational, health, employment, and other needs of youth in foster care.
Advocacy
We serve communities by providing leadership at the state level, communicating the CASA perspective, and advocating for best practices in child welfare policy.
Support
We serve children in foster care statewide by identifying funding and partnership opportunities to increase recruitment and training of CASA volunteers.
Connection
We serve CASA volunteers and employees by facilitating opportunities for networking and sharing of best practices. We are stronger together.
Awareness
We serve the CASA cause by amplifying the voice of local CASA programs through investments in marketing and communication, community collaborations, and public engagements.
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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Strength in our California CASA Network State of California
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 83,500 CHILDREN SERVED: 14,150
Children served by our CASA volunteers in our State Capital:
SacrAmento casa
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 2,986 CHILDREN SERVED: 310
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Alameda County CASA
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 1,683 CHILDREN SERVED: 345
CASA of Amador & Calaveras CountIES CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 213 CHILDREN SERVED: 89
CASA of BUTTE, GLENN, SHASTA & TEHAMA COUNTIES CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 1,695 CHILDREN SERVED: 203
CASA OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 1,250 CHILDREN SERVED: 225
CASA of Del Norte
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 122 CHILDREN SERVED: 58
CASA of the Eastern Sierra CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 29 CHILDREN SERVED: 23
CASA of EL DORADO COUNTY
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 365 CHILDREN SERVED: 291
CASA of Fresno& Madera Counties CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 3,936 CHILDREN SERVED: 323
HUMBOLDT CASA
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 627 CHILDREN SERVED: 158
CASA of Imperial County CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 713 CHILDREN SERVED: 410
CASA of Kern County
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 2,439 CHILDREN SERVED: 367
CASA of Kings COunty
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 546 CHILDREN SERVED: 60
Lassen County CASA
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 83 CHILDREN SERVED: 72
CASA of Los Angeles
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 30,448 CHILDREN SERVED: 1,344
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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Marin CASA
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 110 CHILDREN SERVED: 84
CASA OF Mariposa County CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 55 CHILDREN SERVED: 27
CASA OF Mendocino and Lake Counties
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 558 CHILDREN SERVED: 105
CASA of Merced County CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 812 CHILDREN SERVED: 166
Modoc County CASA
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 33 CHILDREN SERVED: 22
CASA of MONTEREY County CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 484 CHILDREN SERVED: 194
NAPA CASA, A Voice for Children CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 216 CHILDREN SERVED: 161
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CASA OF NEVADA COUNTY CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 114 CHILDREN SERVED: 97
CASA oF ORANGE COUNTY
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 3,824 CHILDREN SERVED: 928
CHILD ADVOCATES OF PLACER COUNTY CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 290 CHILDREN SERVED: 276
PLUMAS CASA
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 68 CHILDREN SERVED: 26
VOICES FOR CHILDREN, SAN DIEGO and RIVERSIDE COUNTIES CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 7,697 CHILDREN SERVED: 3,057
CASA OF SAn benito COUNTY
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 65 CHILDREN SERVED: 32
CHILD ADVOCATES of SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 8,976 CHILDREN SERVED: 188
SaN FRANCISCO CASA
CASA of SISKIyOU County
CASA OF SAn joaquin COUNTY
CASA of solano county
CASA of SAN LUIS OBISPO County
CASA of sonoma county
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 992 CHILDREN SERVED: 272
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 1,853 CHILDREN SERVED: 122
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 523 CHILDREN SERVED: 324
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 134 CHILDREN SERVED: 60
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 597 CHILDREN SERVED: 164
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 755 CHILDREN SERVED: 314
CASA OF SAn MATEO COUNTY
CASA OF stanislaus COUNTY
CASA OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
CASA of TULARE COUNTY
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 317 CHILDREN SERVED: 295
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 614 CHILDREN SERVED: 436
CASA of SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 313 CHILDREN SERVED: 239
CHILD ADVOCATES OF SILICON Valley
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 1,099 CHILDREN SERVED: 238
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 1,588 CHILDREN SERVED: 646
CASA of ventura county CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 971 CHILDREN SERVED: 327
YOLO COUNTY CASA
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 644 CHILDREN SERVED: 186
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: 1,637 CHILDREN SERVED: 838 FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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California CASA has revolutionized how we, as local CASA programs, get and share information and tools. Besides seeking muchneeded funding for local programs, California CASA has become a first-stop resource for everything from H.R. to marketing and fundraising. When I have a question, I know that I will receive expert advice and counsel when I reach out to the California CASA team. -Kim Colby Davis, Executive Director, CASA of Santa Barbara County
***
2,039
PARTICIPANTS in California CASA webinars in FY2019-2020
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CALIFORNIA CASA
Training Across the geographically vast state of California, CASA programs serve highly diverse populations and face unique community challenges. California CASA believes the best way to sustain a strong and thriving network is through opportunities for professional development and training. Every year we welcome Executive Directors to a multi-day “boot camp” where they get refreshers on everything from dependency law to fundraising to human resources and financial management. In addition, California CASA presents ongoing webinars and inperson trainings with expert lecturers and relevant child-welfare specialists. Local CASA programs and their volunteers can join in live, or consult training materials online at their convenience through the California CASA website. In 2020, COVID-19 safety measures meant that all meetings and training sessions were virtual.
Recent California CASA Webinars • Financial Crisis Management • Victims of Crime Act Funding Guidance • Fundraising for CASA in the Time of COVID-19 • Changes in California Law Impacting Youth in Foster Care • Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Youth in the California Foster Care System • Supporting Foster Youth To and Through College • California Victim Compensation Board Fund • Cybersecurity • Marketing: Setting Up and Running a Successful Facebook Campaign • Human Resources / Succession Planning • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion • Surviving Compassion Fatigue: Help for Those Who Help Others • Compassionate Self-Care for Work-Life Balance
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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Advocacy and Support California CASA is honored to be the active voice of our network, advocating at the state level. We listen to the needs of children in foster care, expressed each day by CASA volunteers and staff out in the field, and we speak up in favor of legislation and policies that support a child’s journey through the foster care system to a safe and permanent home. California CASA was a vocal supporter of AB 1979 (Asm. Laura Friedman) which passed and was signed by Governor Newsom in September 2020. The bill ensures that the Extended Foster Care Program (EFC) has sufficient housing-related supports so that all eligible youth who opt to participate can take full advantage of opportunities to transition to independence. California CASA provides individualized support to local CASA programs based on the specific needs of each region. In FY2020-2021, the state’s CASA network received $5,793,750 in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds, a $168,750 increase from the previous grant cycle. In addition, we again secured State of California Judicial Council funding of $2,713,000 for local programs for FY2020-2021. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, California CASA secured emergency grants from the van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation, the Judicial Council, and the Walter S. Johnson Foundation to support crucial technology needs for the network. With these special funds, California CASA made possible video conferencing for CASA staff and volunteers statewide, supplied laptop computers, and provided new database platforms and data conversion for 70% of the network. California CASA also secured additional Judicial Council COVID-19 emergency response funds for the network, so that each of the 44 local CASA programs could apply for up to $3,000 to maintain CASA operations during the pandemic.
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California CASA is an indispensable partner to our program. Their willingness to provide research, guidance, and support to our program is second to none. -Steve Ashman, Executive Director, CASA of Stanislaus County
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***
6,628
Hours of CUSTOMIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
86
Hours of LEGAL COUNSEL provided by California CASA attorneys
I really appreciate how California CASA brings together local programs throughout California to collectively and cohesively help us support more foster youth in the communities we serve. - Matthew Wadlinger, Chief Communications Officer, CASA of Orange County
***
600
MESSAGES SENT on our CASA staff discussion mailing lists
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CALIFORNIA CASA
Connection Each year, California CASA sponsors a daylong conference for Executive Directors with inspirational, informative presentations related to CASA, foster children, and the courts. With the support of the Judicial Council, we offer a chance for all Executive Directors to see each other, exchange ideas, and learn new strategies. During FY2019-2020, we had the additional safety challenges of COVID-19, preventing in-person events. However, using technology and creative solutions, local CASA leaders and team members have continued to exchange best practices, share experiences, and explore ways to support more children throughout California. There are 700 miles separating the northern- and southern-most boundaries of California, and bringing CASA leaders together in person was always a challenge, even before state travel restrictions. Luckily, California CASA offers many opportunities to connect virtually. We manage subject-based email discussion lists where CASA employees can pose questions to their counterparts in other programs and get immediate feedback and assistance. Our California CASA staff members are always available for phone, email, or video consultation on a variety of subjects. Through our website, local CASA programs can access training materials, administrative forms, marketing tools, and legislative reports so the entire network can stay informed and work together, even virtually.
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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Awareness California CASA amplifies the collective voice of all 44 of our state’s local CASA programs in order to raise awareness about the needs of abused, neglected children. Along with the stories of trauma that often follow a child on their journey through the dependency system, there are moments of hope, such as when that child puts their trust in a CASA volunteer for the first time... and is not disappointed. There are also tales of success―when a child feels safe, does better in school, or finds a forever family through reunification or adoption. These are the stories that inspire us the most. It’s important to open our eyes to the pain these children face, but it is equally important to remember that there are generous, dedicated, committed individuals ready to help. California CASA aims to tell the whole story and give a voice to our network, so local CASA programs can focus on recruiting and training more volunteers to be the voices of children in foster care. We communicate to a variety of important stakeholders, each with their own role to play in helping our cause. We create print, digital, email, and social media campaigns to introduce the public to our organization, recruit CASA volunteers, and increase donations to local programs. Each month, we provide thoughtfully designed social media content to our 44 network programs for use on their own digital channels. We also publish and distribute reports and training materials for CASA employees and volunteers. In Sacramento, California CASA regularly updates legislators and makes recommendations on bills and legislation based on real-time needs voiced by our local CASA programs. We keep the conversation going with our network, their Boards of Directors, the media, our donors, the public at large, and in communities up and down the state of California.
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Over 1 Million Californians viewed the Emmy-Nominated “Then You Came Along” videos, part of the National CASA/GAL ”Change a Child’s Story” campaign, thanks to the social media efforts of California CASA.
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CALIFORNIA CASA
COVID-19 Impact on CASA Programs Each one of us sees how the global Coronavirus pandemic is impacting our day-to-day lives, but at California CASA, we feel it especially acutely because we work on behalf of children in foster care, an already vulnerable population. Our organization is focused on doing all we can for the network of 44 local programs, their CASA volunteers, and especially the children who depend on them. Without question, the most pressing issue for California CASA now and through 2021 is to continue mobilizing support, fostering sustainability, and finding stability for our CASA network in response to the concurrent economic and health crises we face. This year, we created a webpage dedicated to COVID-19 resources, which is continually updated as new information emerges. To address the avalanche of local program needs, we organized an intensive series of free webinars and trainings. In addition, California CASA paid for a network-wide online CASA training platform, and ran a statewide digital volunteer recruitment campaign. There has been a surprising but heartening influx in CASA volunteer inquiries across California, even during the pandemic lockdown. During this time, recruitment remains essential so that our local programs will have a sufficient volunteer “workforce” available to serve more children when they enter care. As California moves through the COVID-19 reopening phases and we all hope for a speedy vaccine distribution and eventual end to this crisis, our goal in 2021 is to continue to be an invaluable resource for our network, expanding our marketing efforts even further so that the local programs can raise awareness in their own communities, train more citizens to be CASAs, and thus serve more children. As advisor, mentor, counselor, and supporter of 44 programs in our network, California CASA is playing a critical role during this challenging time.
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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Financial Summary FY2019-2020 began with great optimism on July 1, 2019, as our Board and staff pursued the Serve Every Child/California vision—a 10-year plan to ensure that every child in California foster care would have a CASA if they needed one. However, beginning in March 2020, we had to pivot quickly to address the enormous challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic racing across the globe. From March to June 2020, our focus shifted from “growth” to “sustainability,” for California CASA and our entire network. We ended the fiscal year with $1,924,155 in revenues, an historic high. On the expense side, we worked hard to conserve resources, operate efficiently, find needed support for the local CASA programs, and end the year with an intentional surplus, in order to meet our own sustainability plan for FY2020-2021 and beyond, as we face the pandemic’s health and economic crises.
Statement of Audited Financials FY2019-2020 & FY2018-2019
REVENUES FY2019-2020 FY2018–2019 Individuals $722,756 $851,251 Foundations $707,565 $430,969 Government $428,595 $179,825 Corporate Giving $35,590 $10,000 Contributed Goods & Services $17,637 $3,736 Interest/Other Revenue $12,012 $8,053 Total Revenue: $1,924,155 $1,483,834 EXPENSES Program Expenses $1,266,781 $858,858 Management & General $95,012 $93,855 Fundraising $220,773 $176,194 Total Expenses: $1,582,566 $1,128,907 Change in Net Assets: $341,589 $354,927 Net Assets at Beginning of Year: $478,149 $123,222 Net Assets at Year End: $819,738 $478,149
Statement of Financial Position FY2019-2020 & FY2018-2019
ASSETS Current Assets Other Assets Total Assets
FY2019-2020 $1,599,310 $0 $1,599,310
FY2018–2019 $1,151,212 $0 $1,151,212
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Current Liabilities Other Liabilities Total Liabilities Unrestricted Net Assets Total Liabilities & Net Assets
$720,576 $58,996 $779,572 $819,738 $1,599,310
$673,063 $0 $673,063 $478,149 $1,151,212
Our auditor is R.J. Ricciardi, Inc., Certified Public Accountants, San Rafael. Complete financials are available at www.californiacasa.org.
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CONTRIBUTED INCOME A private, nonprofit organization (tax ID #68-0163010), California CASA is supported by many individuals, foundations, corporations, and government grants. Under the leadership of the Board of Directors, CEO Sharon Lawrence, and Chief Philanthropy Officer Anne Farrell, contributed income increased from $1,483,834 in FY2018-2019 to $1,924,155 in FY2019-2020. CORPORATE GIVING
FY2019-2020
Sources of Support
GOVERNMENT
1.8%
OTHER REVENUE
1.5%
22.3%
FOUNDATIONS
36.8%
INDIVIDUALS
37.6%
EXPENSES 80% of expenses go directly to programs impacting the lives of California’s foster children through support of the CASA network in California. As a labor-intensive operation, personnel comprise a large part of expenses, most of it focused on delivering training, support, and counsel to the 44 local programs. Financial management was overseen by the Board Treasurer James Hatter, and Chief Financial Officer Joan Reilly.
FY2019-2020
FUNDRAISING
14%
Expenses MANAGEMENT & GENERAL
6%
PROGRAM EXPENSES
80%
FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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With Gratitude The California CASA Association is a private, nonprofit organization that depends on the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. They sustain our operations, provide the basis for growth, and allow us to serve our network of 44 local CASA programs throughout our state. In turn, our network is providing extraordinary support to 14,150 abused, neglected children in foster care. We are very grateful to every donor to California CASA.
Stellar Supporters ($1,000,000+ - $100,000)
Silicon Valley Community Foundation Anonymous Friend of CASA California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Walter S. Johnson Foundation National CASA/GAL Association Judicial Council of California Our Little Light Foundation
Champions
($100,000 - $25,000) Kaiser Permanente, Northern California Lily Lai Foundation Zellerbach Family Foundation Shelley and Steve Brown Kevin Gardner and Paul Morrell Sarah Delaney Rosendahl and Carl Rosendahl The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation Marie Kennedy
Guardians
($25,000 - $10,000) Anonymous Friends of CASA Glynn Capital Management LLC Michelle Griffin Morgan Stanley Gift Fund Zachary Scott and Carly Hall Donna and John Warnken-Brill Robert Smith
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CALIFORNIA CASA
Katy and Dale Carlsen Sharon M. Lawrence and Darin Boles In-N-Out Burger Foundation
Defenders
($10,000 - $2,500) Allyson Pfeifer Howard Slayen The Hon. Arnold D. Rosenfield (ret.) and Phyllis Rosenfield Elisa Mendel James Hatter and Laurine Domenici Applied Materials Foundation Jan-Yu and Jumiana Weng Lisa Spinali Patrick Townzen Larry Brodkin Chad and Tenah Dyer Opus Community Foundation
Maryanne and Irv Pfister The Silva Watson Moonwalk Fund Nancy Banning Doyle and David Doyle Anonymous Friend of CASA Kimberly and Scott Moore Netflix Anne and Dr. John Farrell Kelly Fleming Jeffrey Sherman Joan Reilly and Satinder Raina Thomas and Alejandra Hall
Danny Tomasello Adam Wallace Wells Fargo Advisors
Friends
($1,000 - $250) Wonderful Giving Simon Gibson and Amy Hyde Don Kleinfelder Wendelyn Julien J.D. Macy’s Inc.
Zynga
Protectors
Elizabeth Fournier
Jeff Wagner
Elliott D. Buchdruker
($2,500 - $1,000)
Jori Potiker Raley’s BelAire Nob Hill Linda and Stephen Burum Katherine and Britt Joyce Gloria Principe and John O’Farrell
Richard and Roberta Cummings Teresa Romney Chevron Humankind Matching Employee Funds Susan Crown and Greg Toto Glenn and Karen Doshay Sally and Craig Falkenhagen Kim and Fred Howard
Tracy Fauver
Elizabeth Manchester
Pamela Burdman
William B. Patterson
Frank and Lois Noonan
Amber McClure
Meaghan Halligan
Kurt Oetiker
Jessica Joyner
Tom and Paula Wilson
Eva Childs
Lara Kilpatrick
Matthew Cundari, Dreamcarxchange, LLC
Deborah Donovan
Kathryn Ashworth Esq. and
Brad Poore
The Hon. Thomas Ashworth III June Collison Valerie Ho and Dinesh Joshi Tim and Sylvia Carter Gigi Cramer The Hon. Leonard Edwards (ret.) and Margie Edwards First Bank CRA Community Awards Program Judith Heyboer Allaire Mandanis Alison Hall Mauzé and Michael Mauzé Joelle Shapiro
Jennifer Greenberg Harvey Yaw Ginni Ring Tracy and Nick Freedman Jacque Lyn Lindeman Denis J. Loiseau Jeffrey Nolan David and Erica McNellis J. Michael and Christina Hughes Adrienne Hirt and Jeffrey Rodman Charles Johnson
The generous donors listed above (in descending order) made cumulative contributions of $250 or more between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020, but we are grateful to everyone who has made an investment in our organization, at whatever level. If you find an error or omission, please accept our apologies; contact us at giving@californiacasa.org with any corrections. FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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Board of Directors
Staff
FY2019-2020
FY2019-2020
Kevin Gardner, Chair
Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq. Chief Executive Officer
Katy Carlsen, M.D., F.A.A.P., Vice Chair James Hatter, Treasurer Sarah Delaney Rosendahl, Secretary Shelley Brown Nancy Banning Doyle Tracy Fauver Michelle Griffin Wende Julien, J.D. Marie Kennedy Don Kleinfelder Elisa Mendel Kim Moore Allyson Pfeifer The Hon. Arnold Rosenfield (ret.)
Anne Farrell Chief Philanthropy Officer Teresa Romney Chief Program Director The Hon. Carol Isackson (ret.) Senior Policy Advisor Holley Moore, MA Philanthropy and Grants Director Jessica Ballenger Marketing and Communications Director As of 12/31/2020
Robert Smith
Consulting Attorneys
Lisa Spinali
Allison Cruz, Esq.
Jan-Yu Weng
FY2020-2021 Kevin Gardner, Chair Katy Carlsen, M.D., F.A.A.P., Vice Chair Howard Slayen, Treasurer Sarah Delaney Rosendahl, Secretary Shelley Brown June Collison Nancy Banning Doyle Michelle Griffin Wende Julien, J.D. Marie Kennedy Don Kleinfelder Elisa Mendel Kim Moore Allyson Pfeifer The Hon. Arnold Rosenfield (ret.) Robert Smith Lisa Spinali Jan-Yu Weng As of 12/31/2020
36
Joan Reilly, MBA Chief Financial Officer
CALIFORNIA CASA
Georgina Dews, Esq. Matt Dente, Esq. California CASA Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (IRS Tax I.D. #68-0163010) and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Get Involved
California CASA is working hard throughout the state so that one day we can serve every child in our foster care system who needs a CASA. Together, we can achieve this goal. Financial contributions to California CASA ensure local programs get the necessary training and support to recruit CASA volunteers and match them with abused and neglected children in need as well as provide a voice for those children at the California state legislature and beyond. Visit californiacasa.org/donate to find out more.
HERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD Make a direct donation, a stock transfer, a gift through your employer’s matching gift program, or an estate gift Encourage others to support California CASA with charitable donations Become a CASA Volunteer–find your local program on our website Join our online social media network on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Spread the word about CASA to your colleagues, friends, and family FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
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Our Network of CASA Programs
38
COUNTY SERVED
NAME OF LOCAL CASA PROGRAM
ALAMEDA AMADOR BUTTE CALAVERAS CONTRA COSTA DEL NORTE EL DORADO FRESNO GLENN HUMBOLDT IMPERIAL COUNTY INYO KERN KINGS LAKE LASSEN LOS ANGELES MADERA MARIN MARIPOSA MENDOCINO MERCED MODOC MONO MONTEREY NAPA NEVADA ORANGE PLACER PLUMAS RIVERSIDE SACRAMENTO SAN BENITO SAN BERNARDINO SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO SAN JOAQUIN SAN LUIS OBISPO SAN MATEO SANTA BARBARA SANTA CLARA SANTA CRUZ SHASTA SISKIYOU SOLANO SONOMA STANISLAUS TEHAMA TULARE VENTURA YOLO
Alameda County CASA CASA of Amador and Calaveras Counties CASA of Butte and Glenn Counties CASA of Amador and Calaveras Counties CASA of Contra Costa County CASA of Del Norte CASA of El Dorado County CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties CASA of Butte and Glenn Counties Humboldt CASA CASA of Imperial County CASA of the Eastern Sierra CASA of Kern County CASA of Kings County CASA of Mendocino and Lake Counties Lassen County CASA CASA of Los Angeles CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties Marin CASA CASA of Mariposa County CASA of Mendocino and Lake Counties CASA of Merced County Modoc County CASA CASA of the Eastern Sierra CASA of Monterey County Napa CASA, A Voice for Children CASA of Nevada County CASA of Orange County Child Advocates of Placer County Plumas CASA Voices for Children Sacramento CASA CASA of San Benito County Child Advocates of San Bernardino County Voices for Children San Francisco CASA CASA of San Joaquin County CASA of San Luis Obispo County CASA of San Mateo County CASA of Santa Barbara County Child Advocates of Silicon Valley CASA of Santa Cruz County CASA of Shasta and Tehama Counties CASA of Siskiyou County CASA of Solano County CASA of Sonoma County CASA of Stanislaus County CASA of Shasta and Tehama Counties CASA of Tulare County CASA of Ventura County Yolo County CASA
CALIFORNIA CASA
Kids in the foster care system are some of the most vulnerable and neglected people in America. CASA trains volunteers to ensure that every child’s voice is heard. - Nicholas Kristof, New York Times Op-Ed Columnist
CONCEPT AND DESIGN StudioTM | studiotm.net Printing Neyenesch Printers Project Manager Jessica Ballenger Contributors Jessica Ballenger, Anne Farrell, the Hon. Carol Isackson (ret.), Sharon Lawrence, Holley Moore, Joan Reilly, and Teresa Romney FY2019/2020 IMPACT REPORT
39
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. - Anne Frank
MAILING ADDRESS
3525 Del Mar Heights Rd. #243 San Diego, CA 92130-2122 (510) 663-8440 www.californiacasa.org
California CASA is a member of the National CASA/GAL Association
@californiacasa
@california.casa
@californiacasa
This publication was supported, in part, by funding awarded by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program (2019-V2-GX-0053) through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).