Media Kit
Mission Statement
CASA of San Luis Obispo County advocates for the best interests of abused
and neglected children within the court system. CASA recruits, trains, and
supervises volunteers who advocate for this vulnerable population with the
goal of ensuring that each and every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and
permanent home.
CASA's Origin
A Seattle judge conceived the idea to use trained community volunteers to
speak for the interests of abused and neglected children in the court system.
This Seattle program was so successful that soon judges across the country
began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged the
expansion of CASA, with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today
more than 900 CASA programs are in operation, with 62,000 women and
men serving as CASA volunteers.
CASA of San Luis Obispo
CASA of San Luis Obispo County has been providing advocacy for local
children since 1993. There are over 100 CASA volunteer advocates actively
working on cases in our local community at any given time.
CASA volunteers investigate: seeking a clear and deep understanding of the child’s situation.
CASA volunteers plan: working with child welfare professionals to determine what strategies promote the best interests of the child.
CASA volunteers advocate: reporting to the court what they discover
and working within other systems to make sure that children receive the
services needed to advance their well being.
CASA volunteers connect: establishing strong relationships with the
child, which is often the only stable connection in a foster child’s life. In
California, the CASA volunteer is generally assigned to one child or sibling
group.
Board of Directors
A dynamic and diverse group of community leaders serve on the board of directors for CASA of San Luis Obispo County. For more information about the board, visit our Team Page below.
Fact Sheet
CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocates.
• CASA is a 501( c) 3 nonprofit organization and depends on community donations to support the loca l program.
• There are more than 900 CASA programs in operation across the United States, with more than 62,000 men and women serving as volunteers .
• There are 650 children in San Luis Obispo County receiving county services due to their abuse or neglect.
• There are over 450 children under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court in San Luis Obispo County due to abuse and neglect .
• More than 140 abused or neglected children in San Luis Obispo County have their own CASA volunteer to advocate for their unique needs and to speak for them in court.
• More than a 100 concerned community members serve as CASA volunteers
• The goal of a CASA volunteer is to help every abused or neglected child they work with find or return to a safe, permanent home and give them hope for a better life.
• CASA volunteers receive training from legal, child development and welfare professionals, and have advocate supervisors to advise them on all aspects of their cases.
• CASA volunteers are responsible for reviewing records, researching, and talking to everyone involved with their child, including social workers, attorneys, judges, parents, teachers, family members and most importantly, the children themselves.
• CASA of San Luis Obispo County is an equal opportunity organization and believes that embracing diversity and inclusiveness strengthens the status of children and their families and is vital to the organization’s vision, mission and development initiatives.
• CASA is a 501( c) 3 nonprofit organization and depends on community donations to support the loca l program.
• There are more than 900 CASA programs in operation across the United States, with more than 62,000 men and women serving as volunteers .
• There are 650 children in San Luis Obispo County receiving county services due to their abuse or neglect.
• There are over 450 children under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court in San Luis Obispo County due to abuse and neglect .
• More than 140 abused or neglected children in San Luis Obispo County have their own CASA volunteer to advocate for their unique needs and to speak for them in court.
• More than a 100 concerned community members serve as CASA volunteers
• The goal of a CASA volunteer is to help every abused or neglected child they work with find or return to a safe, permanent home and give them hope for a better life.
• CASA volunteers receive training from legal, child development and welfare professionals, and have advocate supervisors to advise them on all aspects of their cases.
• CASA volunteers are responsible for reviewing records, researching, and talking to everyone involved with their child, including social workers, attorneys, judges, parents, teachers, family members and most importantly, the children themselves.
• CASA of San Luis Obispo County is an equal opportunity organization and believes that embracing diversity and inclusiveness strengthens the status of children and their families and is vital to the organization’s vision, mission and development initiatives.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2017
Contact : Cathy Orton
CASA of San Luis Obispo County
(805) 541-6542 x 115
corton@slocasa.org
San Luis Obispo, CA- CASA of San Luis Obispo County has been named the Central Coast’s favorite charity by KSBY and PG&E — winning $10 ,000 for the second year in a row!
The “Your Favorite Charity” contest , hosted annually by KSBY and PG&E, awards local charities with cash prizes. The charities are nominated by the community and divided into four categories – Health, Arts & Culture, Human Services & Community Development, and Environment & Animals . Community members then vote for their favorites. CASA received the most votes overall. Four other charities received $1,000 prizes for receiving the most votes in their categories.
CASA Board President Tom Dobyns receives the grand prize from Kathleen Choal, President & General Manager of KSBY, and Ed Halpin, Senior VP of Generation at PG&E. Photo courtesy KSBY.
Contact : Cathy Orton
CASA of San Luis Obispo County
(805) 541-6542 x 115
corton@slocasa.org
San Luis Obispo, CA- CASA of San Luis Obispo County has been named the Central Coast’s favorite charity by KSBY and PG&E — winning $10 ,000 for the second year in a row!
The “Your Favorite Charity” contest , hosted annually by KSBY and PG&E, awards local charities with cash prizes. The charities are nominated by the community and divided into four categories – Health, Arts & Culture, Human Services & Community Development, and Environment & Animals . Community members then vote for their favorites. CASA received the most votes overall. Four other charities received $1,000 prizes for receiving the most votes in their categories.
CASA Board President Tom Dobyns receives the grand prize from Kathleen Choal, President & General Manager of KSBY, and Ed Halpin, Senior VP of Generation at PG&E. Photo courtesy KSBY.
Contact info
Teresa Tardiff
Executive Director
CASA of San Luis Obispo County
75 Higuera Street , Suite 180
P.O. Box 1168
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Tel: 805.541.6542 x 103
Fax: 805.541.5637
ttardiff@slocasa.org
www.slocasa.org
Daniella Barion
Recruitment and Retention Specialist
CASA of San Luis Obispo County
75 Higuera Street , Suite 180
P.O. Box 1168
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Tel: 805.541.6542 x 105
Fax: 805.541.5637
dbarion@slocasa.org
www.slocasa.org
Cathy Orton
Resource Development Director
CASA of San Luis Obispo County
75 Higuera Street , Suite 180
P.O. Box 1168
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Tel: 805.541.6542 x 115
Fax: 805.541.5637
corton@slocasa.org
www.slocasa.org
Jenae Walters
Events and Development Coordinator
CASA of San Luis Obispo County
75 Higuera Street , Suite 180
P.O. Box 1168
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Tel: 805.541.6542 x 110
Fax: 805.541.5637
jwalters@slocasa.org
www.slocasa.org