Child Advocates of Contra Costa County Programs Overview
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Child Advocacy
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Child Advocates of Contra Costa County volunteers play a crucial role in advocating for abused and neglected children and youth in foster care. In family courts, where caseloads are overwhelming and resources for thorough investigations are limited, judges often have to make placement decisions based on incomplete or biased information. As court officers, CASA volunteers step in to represent the child’s best interests, ensuring that they do not get lost in the complexities of the legal system or end up in unsuitable placements.
The demand for Child Advocates volunteers has reached an all-time high, as only a fraction of the children who desperately need a Child Advocates have one. Your support as a volunteer can make a significant difference in the lives of these vulnerable young people.
By becoming a Child Advocates volunteer, you can build a meaningful relationship with a child or youth in foster care. You will serve as their voice, advocate for their needs, and protect their rights. Your dedication and commitment can provide them stability, support, and the opportunity to thrive.
No particular background or legal expertise is required to become a Child Advocates volunteer. We provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to equip you with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact. As a volunteer, you can attend court hearings, visit the child in their placement, gather information from relevant parties, and make recommendations to the court.
The time you invest as a Child Advocates volunteer can have a lasting impact on a child’s life. You can help break the cycle of abuse and neglect, provide stability and guidance, and empower them to reach their full potential. Together, we can ensure that every child in foster care has a caring and dedicated advocate.
Juvenile Justice Program
Youth in the juvenile justice system are also foster youth. CASA Juvenile Justice Volunteers are a special subset of the CASA program. They receive additional specialized training that enables them to provide consistent, non-judgmental support to youth navigating the challenges of the juvenile justice system. Juvenile Justice CASA volunteers help ensure that students graduate from high school and meet probation requirements. This program is designed for youth ages 12 – 17 at the time of their offense. It enables them to meet regularly one-on-one with a supportive adult and mentor.
Join us in making a difference. Become a Child Advocates volunteer today and help improve a child’s life.
Tutor Program
Child Advocates of Contra Costa County recognizes the importance of education and is committed to providing high-quality, consistent educational support for the children and youth that we serve. Our program utilizes volunteer tutors trained in trauma-informed practices to create a supportive and accessible environment for each student.
Children and youth meet with their tutor weekly, engaging in one-on-one sessions at a local library or community location. Depending on the youths’ needs, tutoring may include help catching up on missed assignments, building foundational skills, or conversations and support as they plan for college or career.
When you become a volunteer tutor with Child Advocates of Contra Costa County, you can help empower local students as they build a brighter future.
Therapy Project California
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Recent studies have revealed alarming rates of mental health disorders among youth in foster care, with estimates as high as 70%. Many of these young people suffer from anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), yet less than one out of four receive the necessary treatment. Shockingly, youth in foster care often wait over a year before receiving a diagnosis, as highlighted in a 2017 Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report.
CASA has established the A Home Within/CASA Therapy Project (ACTP) to address this critical issue. ACTP matches volunteer clinical therapists licensed in California with youth in foster care, including those who have aged out of the system. Our dedicated ACTP volunteers provide pro bono therapy sessions via teletherapy, ensuring accessibility and convenience for therapists and the clients.
This unique volunteer opportunity is open to registered associates in these fields in California, including LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, as well as Associates in these fields. By joining Therapy Project California, therapists can make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable youth, providing them with the mental health support they desperately want and need.
Volunteer clinicians have the opportunity to serve current or former foster youth, helping them navigate navigate the challenges they face and providing them with a safe space to heal and grow. Through regular therapy sessions, therapists can help these young individuals develop coping skills, process trauma, and build resilience.
By volunteering with Therapy Project California, therapists contribute to breaking the cycle of mental health disparities among youth in foster care and those who have aged out of the system. They play a vital role in ensuring these current or former foster youth receive the support they need to thrive and overcome their obstacles.
Join us in making a difference in the lives of youth, young adults and adults touched by foster care. Become an Therapy Project California volunteer and help provide much-needed mental health support to youth in foster care. Together, we can create a brighter future for these young people—and for our community.
Reproductive Health
Preventing unplanned pregnancies is a crucial step in safeguarding the well-being of youth in the foster system, both in the immediate and long term. At CASA, we are dedicated to connecting these young people with essential reproductive health services through comprehensive education, awareness, and referrals.
We collaborate with local resource partners such as Planned Parenthood, and the Department of Public Health to achieve this. These partnerships enable us to provide youth in foster care access to vital reproductive health information and care. Every young person deserves the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to equip youth in foster care with the tools and support they need to navigate this aspect of their lives with confidence and care. We provide comprehensive education on topics such as contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), consent, and healthy relationships. Our goal is to empower these young individuals to make informed choices and take control of their reproductive health.
In addition to education, we offer referrals to trusted healthcare providers specializing in reproductive health services. We ensure that youth in foster care have access to confidential and compassionate care, including contraception, STI testing and treatment, and reproductive health screenings.
By prioritizing reproductive health education and access to care, we can help prevent unplanned pregnancies among youth in foster care. This protects their physical and emotional well-being and supports their educational and career goals, as they can focus on their personal growth and development.
Join us in our commitment to providing comprehensive reproductive health support to youth in foster care. Together, we can empower these young individuals to make informed choices, prioritize their well-being, and build a brighter future.