Volunteer and Advocate Corner

CASA resources

If you’re a CASA, please come back to this page to find training and education material, reference documents, and learning opportunities. A listing of resources will be available early January.

CASA Connections  

Natural Supports

After foster care or probation cases are dismissed with court outcomes ranging from reunification and guardianship to adoption and emancipation, SFCASA volunteers often maintain relationships with young people as a Natural Support volunteer.

These ongoing supportive relationships advance wellness and stability and improve outcomes for young people who may not have consistent family support. As a complement to existing community resources and to facilitate access to a spectrum of support, SFCASA delivers personalized services to Natural Support volunteers in both group and individual settings. The goal is to reinforce and empower young people as they develop successful community connections, improve their health and wellbeing, and build financial security.  

  • CASA Connections provides tools, guidance, and community needed to navigate the complexities experienced by youth and families after systems involvement. In preparation for a young person’s case dismissal, consider whether to stay involved in the youth’s life. Recognize how your relationship may change and the ways it may stay the same. It is important to identify and communicate clear and realistic expectations to the young people you may support about your role, frequency of visits, and boundaries as you transition from a CASA to a Natural Support. Your support may shift from different advocacy areas based on the young person’s age. 

  • CASA Connections empowers Natural Supports as they sustain, support, and strengthen young people in Community Connections (Relationships and Networks); Health and Wellbeing; and Economic Stability and Financial Security. We reinforce a Natural Support Volunteer peer network and offer individual coaching to Natural Support volunteers who help young people prepare for healthy, productive adult lives.  

     

    • Support Groups and workshops are offered virtually and in person, where volunteers with similar experiences can collaborate and brainstorm strategies for supporting youth and families as they navigate their community connections, health and wellbeing, and economic stability outside of the foster care system.  

    • Individual coaching - Schedule a session to navigate and develop actionable plans to best support a young person.   

    • The Natural Support Slack channel encourages volunteer networking and collaboration with other volunteers who understand youth experiences.  CASA Connections links Natural Support volunteers with resources and helps navigate public benefits for the young person they continue to serve. 

    • Youth-centered workshops, in collaboration with SFCASA’s YOUth Empowerment Board (YEB) events and other local service providers, allow young people to explore interests, learn new skills, plan for careers, and develop community connections.  

    The SFCASA Sunshine Fund offers youth-centered funding for basic needs and major milestones

Have questions?

If you are a Natural Support or if you are going to become one soon, and you have questions, please contact Sarah Dodge at: sarah@sfcasa.org.

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Foster parenting

Want to take on a different role with your current or another youth?

Learn about fostering as well as adoption and mentoring at the San Francisco Human Services Agency.