Lesson series
Expectant and Parenting Youth and CASA Advocacy
Estimated Completion Time: 1Hr 30Min
This training focuses on how CASAs can support expectant and parenting youth (EPY) in the child welfare system in California so that the youth are thriving as a parent not just surviving. The ultimate goal of CASA advocacy is for the children of parenting youth/NMDs not to enter the child welfare system. We review the rights and choices of expectant and parenting youth/NMDs in California’s child welfare systems, share resources/benefits available to expectant and parenting youth and suggest opportunities to create systems of support/resources in your own counties. We also share some examples of systems of support/resources in Los Angeles County as well as discuss the challenges of implicit bias, racism and trauma on our EPYs and CASA advocacy.
This training focuses on how CASAs can support expectant and parenting youth (EPY) in the child welfare system in California so that the youth are thriving as a parent not just surviving. The ultimate goal of CASA advocacy is for the children of parenting youth/NMDs not to enter the child welfare system. We review the rights and choices of expectant and parenting youth/NMDs in California’s child welfare systems, share resources/benefits available to expectant and parenting youth and suggest opportunities to create systems of support/resources in your own counties. We also share some examples of systems of support/resources in Los Angeles County as well as discuss the challenges of implicit bias, racism and trauma on our EPYs and CASA advocacy.
The speakers outline some guiding principles for CASAs working with expectant and parenting youth as well as teach listeners how to:
- Identify and strengthen protective factors to ensure the child of the parenting CASA youth does not enter the child welfare system.
- Build up the capacities and skills of the CASA youth to parent and advocate for their child.
- Amplify the EPY’s voice to make their own choices in their life and the life of their child.