Nonprofits Insurance Alliance - 2018 NIA Annual Report

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley Foster children navigating the court dependency system confront mental health risks and emotional turmoil. Child Advocates of Silicon Valley believes that every foster child deserves to have a consistent, caring adult in their life to listen to their concerns and nurture their hopes and dreams. The agency recruits, trains and supports volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to provide emotional and educational support, ensuring that each child’s needs are met and their voice is heard while in the dependency system. CASAs are also friends and mentors, awakening potential in the children they serve. To promote resiliency and ensure that each child has the opportunity to become a healthy, productive adult, the organization emphasizes eight key trauma- informed and child-centered areas of support: education support; trust and relationship building; self-esteem building; healthy choices and behaviors; developmental milestones and dependent living skills; new experiences; and extracurricular activities. Studies show that foster children with a CASA receive more services, do better in school and spend less time in foster care. Milpitas, CA www.cadvocates.org 16 A Cooperative of Nonprofits, for Nonprofits.