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Child Advocates (CASA) seeks volunteers as program expands into Sutter County
Summary
Child Advocates of Placer & Yuba announced plans to expand CASA volunteer services into Sutter County, said Yuba County currently has about 80 children in dependency and roughly 45 served by CASA, and asked the council to help recruit volunteers and promote the program.
Representatives from Child Advocates of Placer & Yuba (CASA) briefed the council on plans to start or expand services in Sutter County and asked the city to help recruit volunteer advocates and publicize the program.
Katja Poemann, recruitment and engagement coordinator, described CASA volunteers as court-appointed special advocates who meet weekly with foster children, report to judges and help identify unmet needs. She said CASA provides a “Casa Store” with comfort items, a Hero Fund to pay for extracurricular activities, a Canine for Kids program that brings dogs into court to calm children, and kinship support and parent-reunification assistance.
Poemann said Yuba County has about 80 children in dependency and that CASA currently serves roughly 45 children in Yuba County with about 50 volunteers; she said approximately 30 children remain on the waiting list. CASA asked the council to promote volunteer recruitment, display materials in city newsletters and social media, and to refer interested adults to CASA training. Councilmembers asked logistical questions — where visits occur, how volunteers meet children — and staff said volunteers meet children where appropriate, including public locations, the CASA office visitation room and the child’s living arrangement when permitted.
Councilmembers expressed support for outreach and applauded CASA’s services. CASA asked the council to advocate on behalf of foster children and to help publicize fundraising needs for the Casa Store and Hero Fund.
