California CASA Association Impact Report 2021-22

CALIFORNIA CASA 2021/22 Impact Report

Building a Strong Foundation For Our Future

Our Values: Collaboration Innovation Impact Inclusiveness Justice

Collaboration

We acknowledge that we are part of a greater community and work respectfully with local CASA programs and other stakeholders to effectively carry out our mission.

Innovation

We embrace bold creativity to transform new ideas into tangible services and results for local CASA programs.

Impact

We are dedicated to supporting, empowering, and evaluating the impact of local CASA programs so that they perform at their highest level of advocacy for children, youth, and families in foster care.

Inclusiveness

We value, embrace, and respect the inclusion of all types of cultures, races, orientations, and ethnicities, treating everyone fairly and equitably.

Justice

We believe that children, youth, and families in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems deserve fair and just treatment, advocacy, and equitable opportunity.

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.

- William Arthur Ward

“If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you dream it, you can become it.”

Dear Friends,

The theme of our 2021/22 annual impact report is Building a Strong Foundation. And that is what we are doing. Inch by inch. Step by step. Donation by donation. CASA by CASA. Child by child.

We have long dreamt of achieving the vision to “serve every child”: to find the financial resources that would ensure that every young person in California foster care who needs a Court Appointed Special Advocate—a CASA—would have one. With nearly 80,000 in our state’s foster care system, this has been an ambitious (some have said “audacious”) dream, since currently our local CASA programs are serving only 16% of the state’s children who need CASAs.

However, our potential for expansion transformed on June 30, 2022, when Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature passed a bill providing $60,000,000 over three years to California CASA. Of this amount, 80% will be regranted to the 44 local programs starting in FY2022-2023. We are so grateful to Assemblymember Mark Stone for his leadership in this effort. The $60,000,000 appropriation is intended to provide the long-needed stability and security that will allow CASA organizations to build capacity, to grow, and to thrive. The remaining 20% is supporting a series of California CASA initiatives that will have collective benefit for the entire network.

We are investing in our state’s local CASA programs so that they, in turn, can invest in recruiting and training more CASAs for the children in their counties. We believe that we are providing important building blocks of growth for all of our programs, so that every child in foster care who needs one can have the caring, effective, and compassionate advocacy that only a CASA can provide.

We have our work cut out for us. This year, from the redwood forests of the far north to the vast deserts in the south, there were 12,680 California children served by 11,172 CASA volunteers across the state. Time contributed by volunteers was valued at more than $15,600,000 last year. We are building upon this foundation and rebuilding from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state funding in FY2023-2025 will be of enormous help in extending our support to more children.

But this is only one piece of the funding puzzle. Ultimately, if we are to serve every child that needs a CASA, the cost statewide (at approximately $4,000 to provide a CASA to a child) will be as much as $195,000,000 annually, and there must be a robust mix of private and public support. As daunting as that annual number is, it could cost taxpayers as much as $2.3 billion if foster youth age out of the child welfare system and, as so many do, become homeless, incarcerated, or addicted. We know that the CASA model works, and we are determined to help our local programs recruit, train, and supervise a record number of CASA volunteers to advocate for tens of thousands of foster youth.

Thanks to you and so many other donors and champions, California CASA is building a strong foundation for our network, with the ultimate goal to strengthen and stabilize them for the future. The dedication of CASA staff and volunteers is unmatched, and with the generosity of the public as well as the investment of the State legislature, we know we can serve the children and youth who deserve a better chance in life. We deeply appreciate all you have done to help us get this far and we hope you will stay with us for the work ahead!

With heartfelt gratitude, Kevin

Gardner

Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq. Board Chair, FY2021/22 Chief Executive Officer

CASA: A Foundation of Advocacy A Beacon of Hope

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (“CASA”) is a trained volunteer who dedicates between 10 to 15 hours a month to help a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. A CASA is one caring adult, assigned to the same child while they’re in the foster care system … even if the child’s caregivers, schools, and other situations change. CASA volunteers work together with a child’s family of origin, foster family, social workers, attorneys, therapists, and CASA program staff to build a long-term support network. They help kids plan for a future that’s more hopeful than their past.

After thorough training, CASAs are appointed by a judge in a local court to advocate for a child and their family, with ongoing supervision from professionals at local nonprofit CASA programs. CASAs bring a unique dedication to children, families, and communities. They recognize that permanency is essential to a child’s well-being, that wherever safe and possible, they work to reunite families, and they keep children connected to their cultural identity and family of origin.

On average, it costs only $4,000 a year to provide a trained, supervised CASA volunteer to a child in foster care – a small investment in what could be a lifetime of impact.

“I volunteer because no child should ever feel alone or lost in the child welfare system. Foster care can be difficult and scary for a child. They need to know they have someone in their corner, someone looking out for their best interest. It has been the best volunteer experience of my life.”

- David H., CASA Volunteer

CASA VOLUNTEERS:

SPEAK UP for the best interests of the child.

BUILD RESILIENCY and reduce the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by providing support and stability.

LISTEN TO WHAT A CHILD SAYS about their education, mental and physical health, and home environment.

TAKE ACTION to ensure the safety and well-being of the child, now and in the future.

SHARE THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD with other caregivers and the court.

Every child needs a champion to appreciate them, support them, build up their confidence, and encourage them to pursue their dreams. Every CASA can be that champion.

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.”

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Children Served in Our Network

ALAMEDA COUNTY CASA

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES

CASA OF BUTTE, GLENN, SHASTA, & TEHAMA COUNTIES

CASA OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 20% SERVED

300 Children served with a CASA 1,531 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF HUMBOLDT

72 Children served with a CASA 206 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 35% SERVED

CASA OF IMPERIAL COUNTY

68 Children served with a CASA 523 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF HUMBOLDT

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 13% SERVED

210 Children served with a CASA 534 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF IMPERIAL COUNTY

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 39% SERVED

158 Children served with a CASA 1,492 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 11% SERVED

CASA OF THE EASTERN SIERRA INYO AND MONO

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 23% SERVED

218 Children served with a CASA 965 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF KERN COUNTY

42 Children served with a CASA 42 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 100% SERVED

419 Children served with a CASA 2,813 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 15% SERVED

CASA OF DEL NORTE

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 32% SERVED

43 Children served with a CASA 135 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF KINGS COUNTY CHILD ADVOCATES OF EL DORADO COUNTY

CASA OF FRESNO AND MADERA COUNTIES

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 17% SERVED

89 Children served with a CASA 523 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 100% SERVED

225 Children served with a CASA 225 Total Children in Foster Care

CHILD ADVOCATES OF EL DORADO COUNTY

CASA OF MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 8% SERVED

322 Children served with a CASA 4,151 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF LASSEN FAMILY SERVICES

76 Children served with a CASA 453 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 17% SERVED

94 Children served with a CASA 106 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 89% SERVED

1,345 Children served with a CASA

CASA OF LOS ANGELES

CASA OF MARIPOSA COUNTY

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 5% SERVED

CASA OF ORANGE COUNTY CHILD ADVOCATES OF PLACER COUNTY MARIN CASA

CASA OF MERCED COUNTY

28,211 Total Children in Foster Care

MODOC CASA

CASA OF MONTEREY COUNTY

NAPA CASA

CHILD ADVOCATES OF NEVADA COUNTY

94 Children served with a CASA 114 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 82% SERVED

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 62% SERVED

26 Children served with a CASA 42 Total Children in Foster Care

PLUMAS CASA

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 29% SERVED

1,058 Children served with a CASA 3,700 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 100% SERVED

346 Children served with a CASA 346 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 25% SERVED

16 Children served with a CASA 65 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 16% SERVED

122 Children served with a CASA 782 Total Children in Foster Care

VOICES FOR CHILDREN RIVERSIDE

13 Children served with a CASA 35 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 37% SERVED

SACRAMENTO CASA

203 Children served with a CASA 325 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 62% SERVED

CASA OF SAN BENITO COUNTY

101 Children served with a CASA 142 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 71% SERVED

83 Children served with a CASA 94

Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 88% SERVED

CASA OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY VOICES FOR CHILDREN SAN DIEGO

456 Children served with a CASA 4,624 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 10% SERVED

289 Children served with a CASA 2,645 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 11% SERVED

34 Children served with a CASA 51 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 67% SERVED

182 Children served with a CASA 8,335 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 2% SERVED

1,978 Children served with a CASA 3,386 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 58% SERVED

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

SANTA CLARA

CASA OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

380 Children served with a CASA 940 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 40% SERVED

CASA OF SISKIYOU COUNTY

129 Children served with a CASA 1,734 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 7% SERVED

CASA OF SOLANO COUNTY

282 Children served with a CASA 410 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 69% SERVED

CASA OF SONOMA COUNTY

201 Children served with a CASA 241 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 83% SERVED

514 Children served with a CASA 695 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 74% SERVED

CASA OF STANISLAUS COUNTY CASA OF TULARE COUNTY

820 Children served with a CASA 1,332 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 62% SERVED

CASA OF VENTURA COUNTY

195 Children served with a CASA 219 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 89% SERVED

YOLO COUNTY CASA

* N umber of children and non-minor dependents in foster care or dual status in CY202. Data Source: CWS/CMS 2022Q2 * Number of children in foster care served from January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021. Data self-reported by local CASA programs.

60 Children served with a CASA 120 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 50% SERVED

164 Children served with a CASA 561 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 29% SERVED

254 Children served with a CASA 660 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 38% SERVED

177 Children served with a CASA 935 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 19% SERVED

355 Children served with a CASA 1,494 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 24% SERVED

316 Children served with a CASA 900 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 35% SERVED

145 Children served with a CASA 498 Total Children in Foster Care

CASA OF AMADOR AND CALAVERAS COUNTIES 29% SERVED

“Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.”

- Robert Louis Stevenson

“When you give of yourself, you receive more than you give.”

- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Turning Trauma into Hope: Building Futures, One Child at a Time

The 44 local CASA programs in California each work within their county jurisdiction, recruiting, training, and supervising volunteer advocates for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Our programs serve children from birth through age twenty-one, pairing them with CASA volunteers who stand by them even as the child’s foster home, school and teachers, case workers, health providers, court representatives, and other stakeholders may change.

The CASA is often the only caring, consistent adult who truly gets to know the child, and who can be counted on to advocate for their best interests throughout their time in foster care.

The professional staff in local CASA programs support these volunteers as they work to ensure children receive the care they need and exit the foster system into safe, loving, permanent homes.

CASAS FOR YOUTH IN JUVENILE JUSTICE: A PILOT PROJECT

Thanks to a significant grant in 2018 from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, California CASA launched a major pilot project to test whether the CASA model could be successfully extended to youth in the Juvenile Justice system. The premise is that most of these young men and women have experienced the same kind of familial trauma and abuse as children in the dependency system, and the power of CASA advocacy could have the same positive impact on them as it does on foster youth. The project was initially slated to end in 2020, but because of the COVID pandemic everything was put on hold; it is now expected to end in Spring 2023 with a final report and recommendations. The principals on project are The Hon. Carol Isackson (ret), California CASA’s Senior Policy Advisor; Kathryn Mathews, Chief Program Officer; Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq., Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Joseph Ryan, University of Michigan researcher; and the CEOs and staff of the three participating CASA programs (Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Ventura) working with their local probation departments. Once the pilot is concluded, including in-depth evaluation and a final convening of all participants to assess findings, the resulting protocol and training will be rolled out to the entire California CASA network. Ultimately, our goal is that youth in our state’s Juvenile Justice system will have access to specially trained CASAs to help them in their journey towards a more successful life.

Building Resiliency

We wish for a world in which a child never experiences abuse or neglect. But sadly, there is a different reality in our state. Thousands of California children are removed every year from dangerous home environments and are placed in the well-intentioned but under-resourced child welfare system.

When a child suffers abuse or neglect and is placed in foster care, who speaks up for that child? CASAs do.

CASAs make sure that through the uncertainties, the child’s voice is heard, and their needs remain a priority. CASAs provide a stable, consistent adult presence in their lives. They help give the child self-confidence and build resiliency while they advocate for their best interest in the court, in schools, and in the community. As a respected member of the child’s care team, CASAs get to

know the child, gather information from all those involved in the child’s life, and make informed recommendations to the judge about what is best for the child.

Judges often report that in a court hearing, they look first at the CASA report since they know that there, they will find the most important information about what makes that child the unique individual they are.

This advocacy plays a unique role in the dependency system, made more powerful because CASAs work one-on-one or with a sibling group, thus giving focused attention to children who have been thrown into a court bureaucracy that is hard to comprehend. A child’s voice is often lost. The dedication of these 11,172 volunteers is inspiring. Collectively, California’s CASA advocates donated 440,948 hours to their work this year with 12,680 of our state’s most vulnerable children. Their service is equivalent to more than $15 million in value.

“CASA Stephanie made me look forward to the future and conveyed what I couldn’t say. She gave me the courage I needed by staying by my side so I could find a voice of my own.”

- Ana

- Paul Shane Spear

“As one person, I cannot change the world; but I can change the world of one person.”

Disproportionality in California Foster Care

Issues of disproportionality remain an ongoing concern, with Black/African American youth the most overrepresented in foster care statewide. In terms of youth served by California CASA, they represent approximately three times their share of the general population. California CASA is working to increase the diversity of CASA staff members, Board members, and volunteers so that CASA better reflects the racial and other identities of the children served by advocates. Additionally, California CASA and many of the local programs are increasing recruitment of bilingual volunteers in order to meet the needs of Hispanic/Latinx youth who represent half of all children in California’s foster care system.

BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH

make up 5.5% of the population in California but represent 21.6% of the youth in foster care

HISPANIC/LATINX YOUTH make up 48.5% of the population in California but represent 52.6% of the youth in foster care

ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER YOUTH make up 11.3% of the population in California but represent 2.1% of the youth in foster care

NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH make up 0.4% of the population in California but represent 1.3% of the youth in foster care

WHITE/CAUCASIAN YOUTH make up 29.9% of the population in California but represent 21.3% of the youth in foster care

60%

40%

20%

BLACK HISPANIC/ LATINX ASIAN/ PACIFIC ISLANDER NATIVE AMERICAN WHITE

% of California Population

% of Youth in Foster Care

Source: California Child Welfare Indicators Project

Building Resiliency for LGBTQ+ Foster Youth

The child welfare system is complex and challenging for all children but especially for LGBTQ+ youth. Like all young people in child welfare, they must cope with the abuse and neglect they may have suffered at the hands of their families or caregivers. But LGBTQ+ youth are also at higher risk of additional harms, including discrimination, institutionalization, and even abuse within the foster care system itself. A CASA volunteer can help these youth to develop resilience, self-confidence, and the skills needed to move successfully into adulthood.

They are overrepresented in the child welfare system, with studies reporting 30% identifying as LGBTQ+ compared to 11% of youth not in foster care, and 5% identifying as transgender in foster care, compared to 1% of youth not in foster care.

A CASA advocate can help provide a supportive, affirming, and inclusive environment for a young person to thrive.

Sources: Youth.gov, The Trevor Project

LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide, compared to their peers. Having at least one accepting adult can decrease the risk of suicide by 40%

“ We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.”

- George Takei

A Stronger Foundation: An Inclusive CASA Network

California CASA recognizes the racial disparities and disproportionality in the child welfare system and CASA network, and for the past several years we have focused on making diversity, equity, and inclusion an integral part of our organization and strategic planning. We believe that our programs’ volunteers, staff, and Boards must better reflect the communities and the children they serve, and to that end, we have undertaken leadership development, training, and open, honest dialogue about DEI at all levels of our organizations.

In 2020, our DEI Task Force was formed, and in Spring 2021, we engaged The Washington Consulting Group to conduct a DEI assessment of the network. Based on their recommendations, we commenced a nine-month, 54-hour “Train-theTrainer” program which has taken place through most of 2022. There are 43 participants from 29 local CASA programs—Executive Directors, program staff, and Board members working to shift the culture of organizations at all levels and ultimately expand the diversity of our CASA community. The program moves individuals to take action to stop racism and to be more aware of implicit bias and institutional racism.

Through our DEI initiatives, we hope to achieve improved outcomes for all children, case by case, child by child, and family by family.

As an organization, we adopted a formal DEI Pledge to:

EDUCATE AND TRAIN our Board members, staff, and CASA volunteers throughout the network; and have conversations about systemic racism, unconscious bias, dominant culture, white supremacy, color blindness, and any form of oppression that is affecting the children and families we serve.

INCREASE THE DIVERSITY of our CASA staff, Board members, and volunteers so that CASA better reflects the racial and other identities of the children we serve.

ADVOCATE FOR FAIRNESS AND EQUITY in every individual case to which CASAs are assigned by the courts.

ADVOCATE FOR AND SUPPORT RELEVANT ANTI-RACIST POLICIES in the California state legislature and judiciary, along with local government officials and state and local county child welfare and social services departments, as much as possible within our sphere of influence.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE through our own policies, recruiting, decisions, and communications by being culturally responsive and inclusive of all identities.

We are committed to regular assessment of our pledge and our progress on this journey.

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”

- Brené Brown

Building Strength and Sustainability for CASA Programs Statewide

We are proud to support and strengthen our 44 local CASA programs so they can recruit more volunteer advocates and provide direct services to children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

TRAINING

Our training programs, featuring expert lecturers and child-welfare specialists, range from an annual multi-day leadership conference for Executive Directors/CEOs to webinars and in-person classes for CASA staff and volunteers to specialized training on such subjects as Juvenile Justice, DEI, and organizational development.

ADVOCACY

We provide leadership at the state level, communicating the CASA mission and message to the State Legislature, Governor, and other elected officials, using our collective voice to speak up for policies and legislation to benefit children and youth in the foster care system.

SUPPORT

We identify funding and partnership opportunities to meet the needs and goals of local CASA programs so they can recruit more volunteer advocates, increase awareness in their communities, and help more children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

CONNECTION

We bring together CASA leadership, staff, and volunteers through multiple communication channels, including in-person and online gatherings. As a central contact point for 44 CASA programs, California CASA ensures the collective tools, knowledge, best practices, and high professional standards of our network are shared statewide.

AWARENESS

We raise the visibility of the CASA mission and the needs of youth and children in foster care through large-scale, statewide marketing campaigns, public service announcements, social media outreach, public relations, and strategic partnerships.

CALIFORNIA CASA ANNUAL ED/CEO CONFERENCE

For the first time in two years, California CASA held its annual ED/CEO Conference. In Sacramento, 75 attendees, including 40 leaders representing 38 CASA programs, learned from expert speakers on topics such as “Managing Change” and “Workforce and People Strategies,” received updates on State funding, networked and learned from their peers, and participated in DEI training.

“The conference was wonderful! I enjoyed every aspect—loved the presenters and appreciated the insights into the California CASA grant process.”

“Thank you, California CASA! It was a very special gathering.”

Building Strong Foundations in Local Programs

“The success of our 44 CASA programs is the direct result of CA CASA recognizing, supporting, and providing the solutions for our organizations to be able to focus on meeting the needs of our children/ youth in our local area. We would not have been able to successfully navigate many challenges faced in the last two years had it not been for the incredible team at CA CASA doing their best, so we could do our best to stay focused on our mission.”

Executive Director, CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties

“As the new leader of a small rural program, I had limited access to a local peer network. I needed a safe and trusted place to process my observations and concerns and plan for the future. The team at California CASA has provided that for me, and then some! In addition to scheduling individual meetings with me on a regular basis, California CASA provided in-person support as it was needed and connected me to other leaders in the network. This was invaluable to me—I no longer felt alone and I had direct access to an entire network of ideas and best practices. California CASA made the impossible feel possible!”

Wilma Tom Hashimoto

Jeanne

Gordon Executive Director, CASA of Humboldt HUMBOLDT

FRESNO & MADERA

“My favorite experience at the ED/ CEO Conference was networking and brainstorming with others in the CASA network.”

“Given our small CASA team, we have relied 100% on the monthly social media kits and marketing materials offered by California CASA. Additionally, we have received quality stock photos for our new website and publications from their library, and a template for our very first annual Impact Report. In addition to the recruitment and marketing support, we rarely miss any training offered by California CASA. Their fundraising webinars have been invaluable, with topics that have provided muchneeded encouragement for me to stay on course with philanthropy. We couldn’t do half of what we do, nor do it as well, without the support and resources of Sharon and her team.”

Ginni Ring Executive Director, CASA of Alameda County

“Our local program has experienced tremendous success over the last year when it comes to representing state and tribal children in the foster care system in some of the most remote areas of the state. Our program prides itself in representing over 85% of children within our local jurisdiction both in state and tribal courts. Additionally, we have about a 68% permanency rate among assigned foster children with family reunification being one of the highest outcomes. Although child safety is an absolute priority, family reunification is equally important once the home is deemed safe. Thank you to California CASA for helping us meet the needs of foster children!”

Cardenas Executive Director, CASA of Imperial County IMPERIAL

Alex

- Graham Greene

“There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.”

Education: A Building Block for Future Success

Education is an area that is a serious challenge for children in foster care. They move frequently, change schools, and often feel a sense of isolation and failure. As an educational rights holder for a foster child, a CASA has the legal authority to attend teacher conferences, monitor grades, keep track of progress, and ensure the court provides the student with access to services that they need to succeed in school and beyond. CASAs can play a big role in helping a school-age child, ensuring that records transfer if they must change placements and schools. For older foster youth, CASAs can help steer kids to college or trade school, and teach life skills in finances, housing, employment, and more.

As trusted adult mentors in their lives, CASAs help children find their own special talents like music or sports and can ask the court to ensure they can take part in extracurricular school activities. In fact, youth with a CASA are more likely to participate in hobbies, be enrolled in an

appropriate educational setting, graduate from high school on time, and continue on to college or vocational school. Transition-age youth who remain in the foster care system as legal adults are more likely to access services and support if they are assigned a CASA and are more likely to remain financially independent and housed.

What does a CASA mean to a child? They offer a sense of hope and belonging, a feeling that someone cares about them when they are most alone in the world. In addition to the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter, all children deserve to feel loved and accepted—appreciated for who they are and the special qualities that make them unique. By helping children stay in school, improve their school performance, and gain a sense of achievement, local CASA program staff and volunteers are working to build strong educational foundations for these children that will last a lifetime.

”When I graduated from high school, my CASA Christie cheered me on. When I left for college, she cried tears of joy. We stay connected by phone and text, and I can’t wait for her to attend my college graduation.”

-Sonia

Financial Overview

California CASA is in the midst of a dramatic transformation, fueled by increases in private contributions and public-sector grants in recent years. The financial statements below reflect a surplus in FY2021-2022, primarily as a result of two large contributions – one, a multi-year grant from the Walter S. Johnson Foundation; the other, a $1,000,000 bequest from an anonymous donor, who designated that California CASA receive $250,000 annually for four years. Audit regulations require that these awards be reported in full in the year they are given, even though the cash is not realized immediately. Overall, California CASA continued its organizational determination to conserve resources, operate efficiently, and find needed philanthropic support for our own organization as well as the local CASA programs. Beginning in FY2022-2023, our expansion will be seen in full, as the California State Legislature appropriation of $60,000,000 for our “Serve Every Child” initiative gets underway, and California CASA adds grant-making to its organizational responsibilities. Even with these dramatic changes, we need the philanthropic investment of individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies more than ever, in order to operate responsibly and with a balanced budget. We are working hard towards our own sustainability for the future, as well as the sustainability of the local CASA network of 44 programs. To achieve that, we will need a broad base of contributors now and into the future.

The financial statements below have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Board of Directors’ Treasurer is Howard Slayen; our Chief Financial & Operating Officer is Joan Reilly, MBA; our Audit Committee Chair is Wende Julien, J.D.; and our auditor is Leaf & Cole, LLP, San Diego, California. Complete financial statements are available for review at www.californiacasa.org.

Statement of Activities

FY2021-2022 & FY2020-2021

REVENUES

F Y2021-2022 FY2020-2021

I ndividuals $1,885,370 $792,671 Foundations $782,680 $739,188 Corporate $13,247 $13,830 Government $471,549 $431,831 Interest/Other Revenue $42,926 $22,640 Net assets released from restrictions

Total Revenue: $3,195,773 $2,000,160

EXPENSES

Program Services

Total Program Services $1,149,867 $1,204,682 Total Program Services: $1,149,867 $1,204,682

Supporting Services

General and Administrative $208,067 $126,305 Fundraising $280,275 $196,683

Total Support Services $ 488,342 $ 322,988

Total Expenses $1,638,209 $ 1,527,670

Change in Net Assets

$1,557,564 $472,490 Net Assets at Beginning of Year: $1,292,228 $819,738 Net Assets at End of Year: $ 2,849,792 $1,292,228

Statements of Financial Position

FY2021-2022 & FY2020-2021

CURRENT ASSETS

FY2021-2022 FY2020-2021

Cash and cash equivalents $2,229,060 $2,124,915 Accounts receivable $125,613 $11,640 Pledge receivable $250,000 $0 Prepaid expenses $13,047 $11,435 Total Current Assets $ 2,617,720 $ 2,147,990

NONCURRENT ASSETS

Pledge Receivable, net $465,335 $0 Total Noncurrent Assets $465,335 $0 Total Assets $ 3,083,055 $ 2,147,990

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accounts payable and accrued expenses $48,829 $24,403 Accrued payroll and related liabilities $184,434 $157,326 Deferred revenue $0 $674,033 Total Current Liabilities $233,263 $855,762 Total Liabilities $ 233,263 $ 855,762

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCY

Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions: Undesignated $989,340 692,228 Board-Designated Operating Reserve $836,255 600,000 Total Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions $1,825,595 1,292,228 With Donor Restrictions $1,024,197 $0 Total Net Assets $2,849,792 1,292,228 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 3,083,055 $ 2,147,990

Scan to see FY2021-2022 audited financial statements in full.

California CASA, a private, non-profit organization, is supported by an increasing number of individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies across the state of California and beyond. Because of this generosity, total revenues increased in FY2021-2022 to $3,195,773. A culture of philanthropy imbues the organization, and fundraising success this year was due to the teamwork of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer Sharon Lawrence, Chief Philanthropy Officer Anne Farrell, and staff members.

FY2021-2022

At California CASA, the majority of expenses are in program services to the state’s CASA network, local programs which impact the lives of California’s children in foster care. Financial management was overseen by Board Treasurer Howard Slayen and the Finance Committee, working with Chief Executive Officer Sharon Lawrence and Chief Financial & Operating Officer Joan Reilly.

Our Board & Staff

Board of Directors

FY2021-2022

Kevin Gardner, Chair

Michelle Griffin, Vice-Chair

Howard Slayen, Treasurer

Allyson Pfeifer, Secretary

Sarah Delaney Rosendahl, Executive Committee

At-Large Member

Lisa Spinali, Executive Committee At-Large

Member (through December 2021)

Shelley Brown

Katy Carlsen, MD, FAAP

June Collison

Nancy Banning Doyle

Renée Espinoza

Wende Julien, J.D.

Marie Kennedy

George Lai

Elisa Mendel

Kim Moore

The Hon. Arnold Rosenfield (ret.) George Sapp Robert Smith

Tyrone Roderick Williams, MCP

FY2022-2023

Michelle Griffin, Chair

Sarah Delaney Rosendahl, Vice-Chair

Howard Slayen, Treasurer

Allyson Pfeifer, Secretary

Kevin Gardner, Past Chair

Katy Carlsen, MD, FAAP

June Collison

Nancy Banning Doyle

Renée Espinoza

Wende Julien, J.D.

Marie Kennedy

George Lai

Elisa Mendel

Kim Moore

The Hon. Arnold Rosenfield (ret.)

George Sapp

Tyrone Roderick Williams, MCP Clay Young

As of 12/1/2022

Staff

Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq., Chief Executive Officer

Anne Farrell, Chief Philanthropy Officer

Kathryn Mathews, Chief Program Officer

Joan Reilly, MBA, Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Quinton Buckley, Program Operations Director

Jody Hudson, Grants and Philanthropy Director

The Hon. Carol Isackson (ret.), Senior Policy Advisor * Kelly LeRossignol, Grants Management Manager

Jeannie Low, Marketing and Communications Director Gabriela Magallon, Program Operations Specialist

Angelina Muñoz, Administrative Assistant * Sarah Pollock, Bookkeeper

Eduardo Rangel, Graphic Design/Marketing Assistant * Cady Villarreal, Executive Assistant

Jessica Ballenger, Marketing and Communications Director (through August 2022)

Johana Orozco, Program Assistant (through November 2021) * part-time

As of 12/1/2022

Consultants

Allison Cruz, Esq., Consulting Attorney

Matt Dente, Esq., Consulting Attorney Nicole Devine, HR Consultant

Georgina Dews, Esq., Consulting Attorney Tracy Meiners, StudioTM, Graphic Designer Gregg Middlemist, Clickable IT, Inc.

Erin Niemela and Tiffany Phan, Niemela Pappas & Associates, Lobbyists

Eric Pitarresi, Harris Rock Consulting, Database Rev. Samuel Offer and Beth Yohe, The Washington Consulting Group, DEI Advisors

Cameron Rich, HR Recruiter Linda Spuck, Fundraising/Legacy Giving

With Gratitude

The California CASA Association is a private, nonprofit organization that depends on the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies to sustain our operations. In Fiscal Year 2021-2022, the donors below* allowed us to expand service to our statewide network of 44 local CASA programs. In turn, our network provided extraordinary support and CASA advocacy to 12,680 abused, neglected children in California foster care.

STELLAR SUPPORTERS

Anonymous

($100,000+)

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)

Judicial Council of California Lily Lai Foundation

Senese vs. University of San Diego Settlement (Cy Pres award)

Walter S. Johnson Foundation

Zepeda vs. Regis Corp (Cy Pres award)

CHAMPIONS ($25,000 - $99,999)

Anonymous Shelley and Steve Brown Kevin Gardner and Paul Morrell Michelle Griffin and Tom Parker

Our Little Light Foundation Reissa Foundation

Sarah Delaney Rosendahl and Carl Rosendahl van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation

GUARDIANS ($7,500 to $24,999)

Katy and Dale Carlsen

Cartwright vs. Sletten Construction Company (Cy Pres award)

Episcopal Impact Fund In-N-Out Burger Foundation

Jose Garcia vs. Pacific Coast Supply Settlement Fund (Cy Pres award)

Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq., and Darin Boles, Esq. Merlan et al vs. Alliant University Inc. (Cy Pres award) Allyson Pfeifer

The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Carly Hall and Zachary Scott Howard Slayen Lisa Spinali

Veal vs. Point Loma Nazarene University (Cy Pres award) Donna and John Warnken-Brill

DEFENDERS ($2,500 to $7,499)

Gerald Brady / Silicon Valley Bank June Collison

Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Management

Nancy Banning Doyle and David Doyle Anne Farrell and Dr. John Farrell Glynn Capital Management LLC

Susanna Hoke

J.P. Morgan Charitable Giving Fund

Yolanda and Jimmy Janacek

Wendelyn Julien JD

Jiong Luo

Elisa Mendel

Kimberly and Scott Moore

Morgan Stanley

Lori Nestore / Evas Esthetics

Joan Reilly and Satinder Raina

The Hon. Arnold D. Rosenfield (ret.) and Phyllis Rosenfield

George Sapp

Yael Shrager

Robert Smith

Tahbazof Family Foundation Tyrone Roderick Williams

Zynga

PROTECTORS ($500 - $2,499)

Anonymous Matthew Adams Applied Materials Foundation

Lisa Arizcuren

Kathryn Ashworth, Esq., and The Hon. Thomas Ashworth III (ret.) Carol and Jonathan Bolter John Sandy Bonifas Ted Briggs and Ted Jarvis Lois Brunet

Pamela Burdman Linda and Stephen Burum Elizabeth Cain Beth Carlsen

Susan and Arthur Chait Lorene W. H. Chang

Susan Chase

Gigi Cramer

Tony Edgar, Third Legacy Motorcycle Club Diablo Valley

The Hon. Leonard Edwards (ret.) and Margie Edwards

Jeanine Enguerra

Renée L. Espinoza

Ruth T. and Edward B. Evans

Nancy Falk

Federico Consulting, Inc. Carlin Ferraro

Kathy Ferry, Ferry International LLC Stuart Flashman

Elizabeth Fournier, Fournier Leisure RoseAnn and Tom Frank Tracy and Nick Freedman

Simon Gibson

David Glynn

Glynn Family Charitable Fund

Google

Nicole Gordon

Meaghan Halligan

Teresa Hassanally

Christopher Hest and Louie Abad

John Hiss

The Hon. Carol Isackson (ret.)

Amy Issenmann

Robin and Gary Jacobs

Dani Janklow

Jessica Joyner Fine Art

Gay and Harvey Kaplan Kathy Kates and Jack Andrews Nancy Katz

Marie Kennedy

Maiko and Tyson Kopczynski

Vicki and Peter LaBoskey

Drew Levin

Moreen Kay Lilja

Roberto Manduchi Bonnie and Thomas Marx

Robert E. Matlock

Me-N-Eds Pizzeria, Inc. Kelsey Michaelson

Maria Nelson Netflix

Nexkey, Inc, Eric Trabold

Kurt Oetiker

OK Produce

Vijay Panati

William B. Patterson

Barbara Poole

Jori Potiker

Donna Reed-Grout Kevin and Sami Rosendahl

Jon Rubin, IKDH Foundation Susan and Richard Russell

Amy Schneider Allen Sciutto

Jeffrey Sherman Kris Snodgrass McClelland

Lori Stewart

The 360 Consulting Group Charitable Fund

Deane Toler

Danny Tomasello

Vanguard Charitable Tom Varn

Velasquez et al vs. Int’l Marine & Industrial Applicators

LLC (Cy Pres award)

Jeff Wagner

Jumiana and Jan-Yu Weng

Glenn D Westley

Julia and Alexander White

Adrienne Clarke

Harvey Yaw and Frank Barber

Lori and Peter Yeomans Jacob Ziemann

FRIENDS ($250 to $499)

Apple Inc.

Jessica Ballenger and Sylvio Carota

The Hon. Laura Birkmeyer and Steve Untiedt Bruce Caplan

Jacquelyn Carr, Goals on the Rocks

CEPA LLC

Amy Chapman

Chevron Humankind Matching Employee Funds

Dee Coravos

Martin Cseh

Herbert Cymontek

Gary Davis

Karen Difrummolo

Kate Fagan

Sally and Craig Falkenhagen

Diane Frey

Kristi Gray and David M. Doherty

Jennifer Greenberg

Daniel Harrison Hecht

Kayla Hinderscheid, Menlo Ventures

Adrienne Hirt and Jeffrey Rodman

Yubin Joe

Charles Johnson

Don Kleinfelder

Cathie Lancaster

Kristen Lingwood

Denis J. Loiseau

Matthew Margolin, Barclay’s Capital Inc. Kathryn and Greg Mathews

Elizabeth and Donald Medwedeff Ellen and Michael Mundel Nexkey, Bruno Crivelli

Carol Noreen

Jennifer Ok Ivan Paladin

Rupa Patel Cleo Eric Price

Valerie Burchfield Rhodes and Corey Rhodes Ginni Ring

Shorenstein

Smart & Final Charitable Foundation

Linda Spuck

Crystal Sullins

Gregory Toto

Jade Tran

Jeanell VanDusen

Olivia Williams

Alikay Wood

Ann Wrixon

Stephen Zalewski

Allison Zimmerman

* Gifts received between 7/1/2021 and 11/9/2022. We make every effort to be accurate in our records; with any questions, please contact giving@californiacasa.org.

Visionary Supporters of Children in Foster Care

The generous donors listed below have collectively contributed $9,100,000 to California CASA in the past decade, providing a strong foundation of support for our growth and progress. We are so grateful!

Anonymous

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Walter S. Johnson Foundation

Judicial Council of California

Rust Consulting Inc. (Cy Pres award)

Our Little Light Foundation

Dhal Administration (Cy Pres award)

Lily Lai Foundation, George Lai

Kaiser Permanente, Northern California

van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation

National CASA/GAL Association for Children

Shelley and Steve Brown

Zepeda vs. Regis Corp (Cy Pres award)

Zellerbach Family Foundation

Kevin Gardner and Paul Morrell

Kaiser Permanente Southern California

Stuart Foundation

Sarah Delaney Rosendahl and Carl Rosendahl

Marcled Foundation

Michelle Griffin and Tom Parker

Robert Smith Anonymous

Carly Hall and Zachary Scott

Katy and Dale Carlsen

Donna and John Warnken-Brill

Simpluris Class Action Settlement (Cy Pres award)

Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq., and Darin Boles, Esq.

The Hon. Patricia Bresee (ret.)

The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation

Jumiana and Jan-Yu Weng

Laurine Domenici and James Hatter

Marie Kennedy

The James Irvine Foundation

Glynn Capital Management LLC

Allyson Pfeifer

Silva Watson Moonwalk Fund

Howard Slayen

Reissa Foundation

CPT Group, Inc.

Alison Hall Mauzé and Michael Mauzé

Bowen H. & Janice Arthur McCoy Charitable Foundation

Elisa Mendel

Kimberly and Scott Moore

In-N-Out Burger Foundation

Carol and Keating Rhoads

Tahbazof Family Foundation

Episcopal Impact Fund

Morgan Stanley Gift Fund

Jose Garcia vs. Pacific Coast Supply Settlement Fund (Cy Pres award)

Veal vs. Point Loma Nazarene University (Cy Pres award)

Lisa Spinali

Merlan et al vs. Alliant University Inc. (Cy Pres award)

Malcolm Goepfert

Phyllis Rosenfield and The Hon. Arnold D. Rosenfield (ret.)

Shiva Berman

Vivian Nahmias

Rhapsody Subscriber Litigation Settlement (Cy Pres award)

Cartwright vs. Sletten Construction Company (Cy Pres award)

Nancy Bannon Doyle and David Doyle

Larry Brodkin

Denis Loiseau

Opus Community Jans Wan

“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make a difference.” – Nelson Mandela

Help us Build a Better Future for Foster Youth

California CASA, a private, nonprofit organization, is working hard throughout the state so that one day we can serve every child who needs a CASA. Together, we can achieve this goal.

Your 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.

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.

HERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE

MAKE A DIRECT TAX-DEDUCTIBLE 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 at our website, www.californiacasa.org.

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT CASA to your colleagues, friends, and family.

JOIN OUR ONLINE SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORK on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Our Network of CASA Programs

COUNTY SERVED

ALAMEDA

AMADOR

BUTTE

CALAVERAS

CONTRA COSTA

NAME OF LOCAL CASA PROGRAM

Alameda County CASA

CASA of Amador and Calaveras Counties

CASA of Butte, Glenn, Shasta, and Tehama Counties

CASA of Amador and Calaveras Counties

CASA of Contra Costa County

DEL NORTE CASA of Del Norte

EL DORADO

Child Advocates of El Dorado County

FRESNO CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties

GLENN

HUMBOLDT

CASA of Butte, Glenn, Shasta, and Tehama Counties

CASA of Humboldt

IMPERIAL CASA of Imperial County

INYO

CASA of the Eastern Sierra

KERN CASA of Kern County

KINGS CASA of Kings County

LAKE CASA of Mendocino and Lake Counties

LASSEN

LOS ANGELES

CASA of Lassen Family Services

CASA of Los Angeles

MADERA CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties

MARIN Marin CASA

MARIPOSA

MENDOCINO

MERCED

CASA of Mariposa County

CASA of Mendocino and Lake Counties

CASA of Merced County

MODOC Modoc CASA

MONO CASA of the Eastern Sierra

MONTEREY CASA of Monterey County

NAPA Napa CASA

NEVADA

Child Advocates of Nevada County

ORANGE CASA of Orange County

PLACER Child Advocates of Placer County

PLUMAS Plumas CASA

RIVERSIDE

Voices for Children Riverside

SACRAMENTO Sacramento CASA

SAN BENITO CASA of San Benito County

SAN BERNARDINO

SAN DIEGO

SAN FRANCISCO

SAN JOAQUIN

SAN LUIS OBISPO

CASA of San Bernardino County

Voices for Children San Diego

San Francisco CASA

CASA of San Joaquin County

CASA of San Luis Obispo County

SAN MATEO CASA of San Mateo County

SANTA BARBARA

CASA of Santa Barbara County

SANTA CLARA Child Advocates of Silicon Valley

SANTA CRUZ

CASA of Santa Cruz County

SHASTA CASA of Butte, Glenn, Shasta, and Tehama Counties

SISKIYOU

CASA of Siskiyou County

SOLANO CASA of Solano County

SONOMA CASA of Sonoma County

STANISLAUS

CASA of Stanislaus County

TEHAMA CASA of Butte, Glenn, Shasta, and Tehama Counties

TULARE CASA of Tulare County

VENTURA CASA of Ventura County

YOLO Yolo County CASA

CONCEPT AND DESIGN Studio TM | studiotm.net

Neyenesch Printers

MANAGER Jeannie Low CONTRIBUTORS Quinton Buckley, Anne Farrell, Jody Hudson, The Hon. Carol Isackson (ret.), Sharon Lawrence, Jeannie Low, Kathryn Mathews, and Joan Reilly

PHOTOS SACRAMENTO CONFERENCE Riverview Media Photography and Kathryn Mathews