Advocates for Children - Our Core Program

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"When I grow up, I want to be a CASA. I'll bet my sister will want to be one too. Actually, I think anyone who had a CASA would want to be one. "
~ an advocate child,
13 yrs. old

Orientations/Training

Our Core Program

AFC recruits, trains, and supports adult community volunteers (Advocates) who are assigned to children and youth, ages 0 to 18, in the foster care and delinquency systems. After completing a rigorous screening process that includes 30 hours of basic training and background checks, AFC works with the Advocate volunteers to find a child with whom they can work. Once they are officially appointed by the Juvenile Court judge, Advocate volunteers support their children in numerous ways:

Visit weekly
Identify social, emotional, physical, developmental, and educational needs
Ensure needs are met in a timely and appropriate manner
Monitor well-being and safety in their home placements
Oversee and support academic progress
Engage their children in enrichment activities
Facilitate information sharing among professionals
Write reports to the Court to help guide the judges’ decision making.
Provide consistent support during traumatic events and transitions, such as changes in home placements, schools and foster families
Serve as the child’s friend

Advocate volunteers spend more one-on-one time with their children than any of the professionals involved in a child’s life. They are often the only consistent adults spending time with and advocating for these children during the entire time they are in the foster care system. Advocate volunteers focus on the needs, comfort, and happiness of the children, helping them to have as normal lives as possible under traumatic circumstances.

Examples of the difference our Advocate volunteers have made in the lives of foster children are too numerous to outline in this letter. But we want to highlight some real world examples of positive results that would not have been achieved without Advocates in children’s lives:

Children were placed in adoptive homes after being identified as “unadoptable.”
Children were given adequate school resources and moved into more appropriate school programs.
Youth of emancipation age were able to remain in foster care until they had viable post emancipation plans.
Teens were given opportunities and support to attend college and discover interests and talents.

Over 120 San Mateo County children and youth are waiting for
an Advocate.

You CAN make a difference