March 18, 2026
Dear Friends,
Earlier this month, I let you know about our fight to restore $20 million in state funding for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program—and again, we urgently need your help – this time to reach out to our State Senators.
This funding is necessary for providing foster youth with the support and advocacy they desperately need. It is a profound injustice that these vulnerable children, who are wards of the state and already navigating trauma and uncertainty, are often left to face the system alone. Foster children and justice-involved youth deserve the equity a CASA volunteer brings to them.
When children enter foster care, administrative oversight isn’t enough—they need a dedicated advocate. While social workers and attorneys are often overwhelmed by high caseloads, CASA volunteers are trauma-informed advocates assigned to just one child. This allows them to build deep trust and provide stability amidst constant change.
By truly knowing a child’s hopes and fears, a CASA can more effectively advocate for them in court, school, and the community. Their presence is life-changing, helping children find permanent homes or navigate reunification.
Because of limited funding, many children wait months or even years for an advocate. Currently, over 80 local children are waiting for someone to be their advocate. Without a CASA, these children lack the vital advocacy they need to heal and thrive.
Restoring the $20 million previously allocated to California CASA is a moral imperative. It is a critical investment in the futures of foster youth, giving them the opportunities they deserve.
Now is the time to act. Please contact your state Senator and urge them to restore CASA funding for children in California’s foster care system. Share your story, emphasize your commitment, and make it clear that restoring CASA funding is a priority. These children are counting on us to stand up for them.
Take Action Today!
This ask is urgent. The deadline for Senators to sign on and show their support is March 20th.
- Find your representative: Use this link to find your state Senator.
- Call them: Use our script to guide your conversation.
- Email them: Use our email template to send a powerful message. Make a copy to edit.
- Senator Grayson contact: samantha.yturralde@sen.ca.gov
- Senator Arreguin contact: carmen.ayon@sen.ca.gov
- Budget Request Letter to download, attach, and share.
- Supporting materials to download, attach, and share:
- Want to do more? Contact me to become a legislative advocate and join the fight for the equity California’s foster youth deserve.
With gratitude,
Katharine Mason
Executive Director
