June is Reunification Month— a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the restoration of children to their family of origin. Reunification is the most common, and, most desired permanency goal for children in foster care. Keeping families together is better for the children, whenever safely possible. It is the first and best option.
During this month and beyond, let’s remember what reunification means—restoring, rebuilding and renovating families.
Welcome, Beth Wilbur!
CASA of Monterey County's New Executive Director
Following a six (6) month search, the Board of Directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Monterey County has named Ms. Beth Wilbur as the nonprofit’s new executive director. Ms. Wilbur’s appointment takes effect June 15th.
Ms. Wilbur’s most recent experience has been as the Director of Courseware Portfolio Management at Pearson Education, the world’s largest educational publisher where she directed a team of editors, built an international network of science educators, and created, managed and sustained a national conference devoted to promoting innovation in undergraduate biology instruction.
A long-time resident of Monterey County, Beth founded the Linda Davis Society and was an executive sponsor of the San Francisco Women in Learning and Leadership program. She also served as the publicist for Performance Carmel at the Sunset Center in Carmel, California.
Beth’s earlier career was in non-profit arts management in Boston, where she was Executive Director for Boston’s Baroque Orchestra, and served as President of the Board of Directors for the Jamaica Plain Arts Council. Before moving to California, as Director of Special Programs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Beth launched an Institute-wide Artist in Residency program while serving in the Office of the Provost.
CASA Board Chair, Jennifer Rosenthal, Esquire stated: “We are thrilled to welcome Beth to the CASA organization as our new Executive Director. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and has the leadership qualities necessary to navigate us through these evolving and trying times while keeping focus on our mission of improving the lives of children in the foster care system by pairing them with trained volunteers who advocate for them and stand by their side as stable adults they can count on.”
CASA and Child/Youth In-Person Visit Policy Update
We hope you are all doing well! We know there are a number of you who are chomping at the bit to get back to in-person visits with your children/youth, and we don't blame you! We love your enthusiasm and dedication. We are working diligently to develop processes and protocols to do just that, with the safety of our CASA kiddos, caregivers, volunteers, and staff at the forefront.
Cal CASA is working with CA DSS to establish statewide guidelines for CASA in-person meetings and visits, among other things. As soon as protocols have been identified and approved, we will receive a copy and will be able to incorporate these procedures into action for our own CASAs and CASA kiddos.
It is so important that we not jump the gun on this. One of our California CASA agencies, in conjunction with their local judge and child welfare agency, developed what they thought were "reasonable" guidelines to allow CASAs to begin in-person visits with their CASA kiddos 2 weeks ago. The CASA agency thought they were taking every precaution, but sadly one of their staff members has contracted the Coronavirus. They are now having to back track to determine who has been exposed, and are tightening things back up.
Please continue to do the amazing things you have been doing to remotely interact and support your kiddos. We know it's been hard and you are concerned about the children and your relationships with them. However, at this time our policy remains the same, in-person visits between CASAs and their children/youth are not allowed. We appreciate your patience and understanding, if you have questions or concerns please contact your Advocate Supervisor or Edna.
Webinar and Zoom
Continuing Ed Opportunities!
Visit the CASA of Monterey County Website and check-out the "Advocate Center" for information and to register for Upcoming CE events. CE events and registration links can be found on the calendar.
Go to the website, click on "Volunteer" on the menu bar, then click on "Advocate Center" in the drop-down menu (see image below),
when prompted enter the password CASA831. https://www.casaofmonterey.org/
If you experience any problems when accessing the Advocate Center,
please contact Kathryn Pernet via email, kathyrn@casaofmonterey.org
Registration Information Below.
Upcoming Webinar and Zoom Continuing Ed Opportunities:
Let’s talk about changes, challenges and moving forward. We hope you can join us for our next fun Lunch Time Zoom Session! We can continue to share stories, ideas and answer questions while having an opportunity to meet with other CASAs and the staff.
Pre-registration is required. Use the CASA of Monterey County Advocate Center to sign up and we will send you the logon information.
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She Shares - Conversations With Women Leaders
June 23, 2020 12:00 – 1:00 PM Live Webinar (CE Credit 1 hour)
Join us for an exciting conversation with California's first ever Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris.
Surgeon General Nadine Burke Harris is an award-winning physician, researcher, and advocate addressing a widespread public health crisis: childhood trauma. We will also discuss the mental health impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic.
June 24, 2020 12:00 – 1:00 PM Live Webinar (CE Credit 1 hour)
Compassionate Self-Care for Work-Life Balance – Presented by Dr. Nate Reiger
California CASA invites all CASA staff and volunteers to an online presentation about Compassionate Self-Care for Work-Life Balance. Dr. Regier, is the CEO and founding owner of Next Element Consulting, a global leadership firm dedicated to bringing compassion into the workplace. Dr. Regier is a former practicing psychologist and expert in social-emotional intelligence, interpersonal communication, and leadership.
June 15, 2020 01:00 – 2:30 PM Zoom (Part 2 – CE Credit 1.5 hours)
What Is Cultural Awareness (Part 2)
Cultural awareness is core to the work we do and helps us better understand and promote the well-being of the children and families we serve. As an organization we are committed to promoting cultural competence among staff and volunteers, reducing disproportionality and ensuring equitable outcomes for all children regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation and zip code.
Topics to be covered in the series include:
What is cultural awareness – diversity, equity and inclusion; biases and micro-aggressions
Understanding self in relationship to the children and families we serve
Considerations when interacting across differences
Role of social justice in our work
Infusion of allyship into our work (defined as: lifelong process of building relationships based on trust, consistency, and accountability with marginalized individuals and/or groups of people)
The CASA of Monterey County (CMC) office is closed. However, all CMC staff are working remotely and available as we continue to support and serve. Although the office is closed, we can be reached Monday through Friday 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. via email or by telephone, or as needed for unforeseen circumstances. Please visit our website for a complete list of staff and contact information: https://www.casaofmonterey.org/
Be safe and be well, you mean the world to us!
CASA of Monterey County
945 South Main Street, Suite 107, Salinas, CA 93901
831-455-6800
