⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 12 findings
F1
In 2008-2009, there were approximately 1,100 foster care children served by CFS.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
In 2008-2009, 179 of the foster care children in CFS were being served by 157 trained CASA volunteers.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Approximately 50 children are on a waiting list for a CASA volunteer assignment.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
In 2008-2009, of the 119 positions eliminated in CFS, 65 were social workers responsible for foster children.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
In the same year, CASA volunteers provided 20,477 case hours of advocacy services to foster care children of Contra Costa County.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
At least forty-six (46) new CASA volunteers must be recruited, selected and trained each year to maintain the current level of volunteer services.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The Fall 2009 CASA training cycle was eliminated due to budgetary constraints.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
In 2008-2009, approximately 70% of foster children in CFS assigned to a CASA volunteer were Latino or children of color.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Representatives of CFS and CASA staff expressed the need for more ethnically diverse volunteers since 80% of CASA volunteers are Caucasian.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
CFS shall assist CASA in its recruitment efforts to broaden the diversity of its volunteers’ ethnicity and gender.
F10
Of the foster care children served by CASA, 55% are from East and West County while only 16% of CASA volunteers are from East and West County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
CFS shall assist CASA in expanding recruitment and orientation sessions into East and West County.
F11
Representatives of CFS and CASA suggested that team effectiveness can be improved by addressing the differences in understanding or appreciation of their respective roles and responsibilities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
CFS and CASA shall explore methods for improving their team effectiveness.
F12
CFS can be instrumental in supporting additional training of CASA volunteers in the areas of juvenile court procedures, dependency law and standards of care. CONCLUSIONS: Foster care children reap the benefit when CFS and CASA work effectively as a team. CFS is responsible for providing these children with an array of services, many of which require professionals with specialized training, such as mental health, medical and social services. CASA pairs a foster child with a volunteer adult who continuously advocates for the child’s needs, assessing living arrangements, education, medical and emotional needs. Together CFS and CASA support the child and the Juvenile Court as it oversees the well-being of the child. CFS and CASA can take steps to improve their working relationship and effectiveness.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
CFS shall support additional CASA volunteer training in the areas of juvenile court procedures, dependency law and standards of care.
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 4Foster care children reap the benefit when CFS and CASA work effectively as a team. CFS is responsible for providing these children with an array of services, many of which require professionals with specialized training, such as mental health, medical and social services. CASA pairs a foster child with a volunteer adult who continuously advocates for the child’s needs, assessing living arrangements, education, medical and emotional needs. Together CFS and CASA support the child and the Juvenile Court as it oversees the well-being of the child. CFS and CASA can take steps to improve their working relationship and effectiveness.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office