COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY INC

Activities SLO CASA is accredited by the National CASA/GAL Association, and designated by the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, to serve all children and youth who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Dependency Court in San Luis Obispo County and ordered to be placed in foster care. Last year, SLO CASA is celebrated 30 years of advocating for and supporting abused and neglected children in the foster care system in San Luis Obispo County. We recruit, screen, train, and supervise volunteers who advocate for this vulnerable population with the goal of ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and permanent home.CASA volunteers are trained to gather information and focus their advocacy to cover the needs of the whole child, including placement, physical and mental health, education, permanency, and well-being. All CASA volunteers receive coaching and ongoing support from one of SLO CASA's Advocate Supervisors. In 2023, SLO CASA supported 174 volunteers who were assigned to 254 foster children. Approximately 41 of those children were placed in the city of San Luis. We held 22 Information Sessions attended by 84 community members and interviewed 57 applicants. We trained 46 new CASA volunteers. In 2023, SLO CASA supported 174 volunteers who were assigned to 254 foster children. Of the 254 children: 53% were female and 47% were male; 16% were Hispanic/Latinx; 3% were Black, 58% were White, and the rest were other races, two or more races or unknown. 26% were ages 0-5, 31% were ages 6-12, 31% were ages 13-17, and 12% were ages 18-21.Last year, we adopted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) project plan focused on improving the diversity, equity, and inclusion of our volunteer base, so that it better reflects thegender and ethnicity of the children we serve. We specifically identified the need to recruit andtrain more men and individuals of Latino descent. Our efforts have been successful and our volunteer pool today has more men and Spanish-speakers than ever before, allowing us to best meet the needs of all children in foster care.