The following guide will provide CASAs with valuable advice and resources for advocating for their case youth during the COVID-19 crisis.
The majority of small group meetings and Continuing Education sessions have been moved to an online format.
We will continue to update this guide regularly as new resources and advice become available; however, as always, please contact your advocacy supervisor or another available staff member if you have any questions and concerns.
Reporting Child Abuse
When you are sworn in as a CASA volunteer, you become something more: you become a “mandated reporter” of child abuse. During the COVID-19 crisis, child welfare professionals have expressed concern that children are no longer interacting with some of the most common reporters of abuse, teachers and daycare providers. If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Child Abuse Hotline at 800-344-6000. You may also contact your Advocacy Supervisor for guidance.
Protocol Updates
Courts in both San Diego and Riverside Counties have resumed in person court appearances for CASAs. Please reach out to your advocacy supervisor if you have any questions regarding hearing attendance.
To the best of your ability, it is important for the well being of our children that CASAs continue to complete and submit your court reports. If you have concerns about your ability to complete your report, please contact your advocacy supervisor with as much as advance notice as possible.
Please be aware that our policy regarding written communications remains in force. Texting should only be used for logistical purposes, such as scheduling a phone call, and not for communicating substantive issues regarding the case or child.
Advocacy Best Practices
CASAs are expected and encouraged to visit their case children in-person and to provide transportation. As always, contact your Advocacy Supervisor if you have any questions or concerns.
Read the current COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC.
When calling children and their caregivers, consider asking the following questions. This may be more extensive than you’re used to but may be critically important during these times.
- How is the health, physical and mental, of all household members?
- How are school/distance learning assignments being completed? What was sent by the district/teacher? Is the teacher available via email to help, if needed? Could the CASA assist virtually? What is the foster family doing to keep busy daily?
- Is anyone in the household still working outside the home?
- Has the child/children had any behavioral issues since being home?
- If the child’s parental and sibling visitation has been suspended due to COVID-19, have they been able to stay in touch with their parents and siblings by phone?
- Is the household having any other challenges, such as financial difficulties, food shortages, childcare issues, etc.?
- Are there upcoming non-urgent medical/dental appointments for the children that may need to be rescheduled?
- Does the caregiver have supportive individuals they are relying on right now to stay sane and healthy?
CAREGIVERS AT RISK OF GIVING NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19: If your case child's caregivers might not be able to continue to care for the child (e.g. they are elderly or they might need to return to work), please communicate early with minor's counsel if it appears that the caregiver may need to give notice soon. This will allow minor's counsel to call a Child and Family Team (CFT) meeting and to begin to create a backup placement plan to avoid temporary placements in Polinsky Children’s Center.
For other helpful tips, see this toolkit for Making an Emergency Plan for Youth in Congregate Care in California from the Youth Law Center.
As of June 24, 2021, CASAs are able to meet with their case children in person and provide transportation, while following our Phase 3 COVID-19 Visitation Protocols.
In-person visits continue to be optional at this time. If you are not yet comfortable with in-person visits, please continue to maintain regular contact remotely.
We have compiled a list of ideas to inspire creative alternatives to in-person visits to help you maintain that personal connection. As some of these ideas involve mail correspondence, remember to use Voices for Children's mailing address rather than your personal home address. We will do our best to forward correspondence to you in a timely fashion.
For CASAs with teenaged case children, please try to check in with your case child regularly. It’s important to try to be a calming presence, and to encourage them to stay in their placement and not AWOL. AWOLing can result in placements giving immediate notice requiring additional transition and/or detention at Polinsky Children’s Center.
For other helpful tips, see this toolkit for Making an Emergency Plan with Transition Age Youth in California's Foster Care System from the Youth Law Center.
Webinars
Our staff has compiled a list of online webinars, which we encourage you to use to earn Continuing Education credit and to stay informed of ways to support youth during this time. Topics range from new child welfare laws and policies related to COVID-19, to mental health and anxiety in youth, to compassion fatigue. All are free and available to the public. Please download this Excel file for the full list of webinars available, and be sure to send your participation details to your Advocacy Supervisor for credit.
The resources below have been gathered to help you assist your case child through adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental Health Resources
VFC Staff Compiled Mental Health Resources
Teen Guide to Mental Health and Wellness - San Diego County Office of Education
COVID-19 Resources - San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council
Mental Health and COVID-19 Information and Resources - San Diego County Office of Education
Domestic Violence Program
Becky’s House – 24 Hour Domestic Violence Assistance
Coronavirus / COVID-19 Related Resources
Visit the links below for county-specific health and safety updates.
San Diego County Coronavirus Information
San Diego County Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
Riverside University Health System Coronavirus Information
COVID-19 Vaccines: Frequently Asked Questions
Vaccine Hesitancy
Youth Will
Youth Will has partnered with San Diego County to create a Youth Ambassador program with the goals of spreading emergency resources to low-income youth (up to 25) during COVID-19, making those resources easily accessible, gathering youth needs, and advocating for those needs during this health and economic crisis. To make resources readily available, they have compiled a youth-centered list of resources available. Resources include: Childcare, Education, Employment Opportunities, Expression, Finance, Food, Government, Healthcare, Housing, Inclusive (Faith/Cultural), Immigration, LGBTQ+, Mental Health, Transportation, Youth Justice.
Homelessness
If a child or youth is facing homelessness, they may not currently have access to important programs and resources that are typically provided to them at school, daycare, or through an early learning program. Review this checklist from Schoolhouse Connection to help identify what gaps or barriers children facing homelessness may be experiencing at this time.
Cellphones
iFoster distributes cell phones to foster youth. A fact sheet, FAQ and application are available.
Laptops
John Burton Advocates for Youth and iFoster are working to distribute laptops to campus programs and organizations worker with foster and homeless youth impacted by classes going online. Requests must come from a campus program and organization, which will then distribute laptops to individual students. Campus programs and organizations interested in accessing this resource should compete this form. If your youth needs a laptop, they should provide the form to an appropriate campus program or organization. Please note for youth under the age of 18 that this information should be provided to the caregiver rather than the youth directly.
Computers 2 Kids San Diego is also working to minimize the educational disruption and facilitate the continuity of learning, especially for the most vulnerable by ensuring that everyone has the tools to access and continue their education from home.
General Community Resource Guides by San Diego Regions
Alpine / Mountain Empire
El Cajon
El Cajon Collaborative
Lemon Grove
North Central San Diego
Santee / Lakeside
Spring Valley / La Mesa
Interrupted Studies
Federal Student Aid, an Office of the U.S. Department of Education, released a "Guidance on interruptions of study related to COVID-19."
Housing
If you know a foster youth displaced from their dorm, please email info@togetherwerise.org for assistance in finding housing.