Over 120 CASAs gather for Virtual CASA Summit

On Saturday, April 17, 2021, over 120 Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteers gathered with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley staff and board members for a Virtual CASA Summit.

The Summit kicked off with a State of the Agency message from CEO, Frederick J. Ferrer. Ferrer shared data pertaining to our most recent recruits, gave updates on the development of our program specialty areas, invited everyone to our upcoming events (Foster5K and A Chance to LIFT UP) and announced all of the new memberships we’ve obtained to local enrichment activities for our CASA Volunteers and the children we serve. Memberships include:

  • Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
  • Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
  • Hidden Villa Form and Wilderness Area
  • Jasper Ridge
  • Open Space Authority Programming
  • Red Ladder Theatre Company
  • Sylvan Learning Centers
  • YMCA

Ferrer commended all of these community partners for their willingness to partner with us and for offering memberships to such great activities to the children we serve.

Following Ferrer’s State of the Agency presentation, Board Chair, Cassio Conceicao, delivered a heartfelt message to our volunteers and introduced our speaker, Dr. Rachel Gilgoff. A board-certified General Pediatrician and Child Abuse Pediatrician dedicated to addressing health issues resulting from child traumatic stress and abuse, Dr. Gilgoff gave an informative and actionable presentation on Healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Toxic Stress.

After Dr. Gilgoff’s presentation, all of the CASAs in attendance participated in discussion groups where they listed activities that would reduce the toxic stress their children face.

The Summit concluded with a demonstration of a new communication platform Child Advocates is developing that will enable CASA Volunteers to better communicate with one another and easily access resources.