MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) – Marysville Mayor Chris Branscum commended Court Appointed Special Advocates for the work they’re doing during the Feb. 18 Marysville City Council meeting. The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a nonprofit organization supporting local foster youth, gave a presentation at the meeting. 

Court Appointed Special Advocates representatives explained that the program began 50 years ago when a judge realized he didn’t have enough information to make life-changing decisions for the children who came through his courtroom. So, Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers stepped in to serve as the voice of the children and share their needs with the court. 

The local Court Appointed Special Advocates chapter has been working in Placer County for 20 years and expanded to Yuba County in 2023. Volunteers undergo a background check and 30 hours of extensive in-person training to learn about the court system and rights of the children. They advocate for the children’s best interests in the court, as well as ensuring they receive proper medical care and school support. 

There are approximately 60,000 foster youth in California, the highest in the nation. In Yuba County, 130 children are in foster care. Court Appointed Special Advocates is currently serving 40, so more volunteers are needed. 

Foster youth experience significant trauma and stress, which puts them at higher risk for poor school performance and behavioral issues, as well as potential sex trafficking and future homelessness, according to the presentation. Having just one person who consistently shows up and focuses on their needs can dramatically improve outcomes for foster youth, the presenters said. Court Appointed Special Advocates assigns volunteers to the children most in need of that support, ensuring they experience the comfort of weekly outings with a trusted adult.  

Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers learn about the children’s needs directly from the source, and they share that information with the judge on the case. In one example, a child shared that she missed her grandmother, whom she hadn’t seen in almost a year due to her foster care placement. So, at the next court hearing, the judge instituted monthly visits with the grandmother. 

Whenever possible, the goal of foster care is to reunite the children with the families. Court-Appointed Special Advocates helps parents accomplish the tasks required to get their children back, such as parenting classes or drug testing. Court Appointed Special Advocates’ family mentorship program also includes budgeting, career planning, and health and nutrition to ensure that the children return to a better home life. 

Court Appointed Special Advocates is funded by federal and state grants, as well as private donations, and those funds are used to ensure foster children have the essential items they need, as well as toys and comfort items, and to cover the cost of extracurricular activities. 

To learn more about Court Appointed Special Advocates and get involved, visit casaplacer.org/yubacounty. 

After the Court Appointed Special Advocates presentation, City Council then adjourned to a closed session conference regarding labor negotiations for the following bargaining units: Teamsters, Marysville Police Officer Association Sworn and Non-Sworn, Firefighter Union, and the Mid-Management and Executive Team. 

There were no reportable actions from the closed session. 

The next Marysville City Council meeting is scheduled for March 4.