CASA of San Mateo County Diversity Presentation Embracing Our Community Program and Male Recruitment

EMBRACING OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAM

Need African American and Latino children are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system: enter foster care at higher rates, experience multiple moves among foster homes stay in care longer, are less likely to return to their families or to be adopted and have a permanent family.

Need Research reveals that these children and their families are regularly treated differently than non-minority counterparts with regard to: the quality of and number of services they receive, support by foster parents, contact with social workers and access to mental health and drug treatment.

Evidence Studies demonstrate that there are no statistically significant differences in abuse and neglect rates between African American, Latino and Caucasian families.

Purpose/Theory of Change Increasing the inclusion of under-represented adult communities in our volunteer pool will significantly improve our capacity to provide culturally sensitive services to foster children.

Purpose/Theory of Change By giving voice to under-represented adult communities in the child welfare system, the court and system will have a better cultural understanding of the families. The adults will be more welcomed liaisons between the court and the communities. Addresses Board’s Diversification and Inclusion Policy Goals

San Mateo County Statistics Ethnicity County Child Population* Entering Fostering Care** In out of home care*** African American 2% 12% 17% Latino 35% 51% 43% Caucasian 33% 24% 25% Asian/Pacific Islander 23% 11% 15% Multi Racial 7% 0% unknown * 2010 US Census ** 2014 Calendar Year *** October 31, 2015

Program Overview Developed in 2008 to respond to serious concerns about outcomes for African American and, to a lesser extent, Latino foster children. Focused on improving the quality of life, health, and well-being of African American and Latino children in foster care.

Enhancements to Recruitment and Training Outreach activities held in the community- faith-based communities, social and civic groups, businesses, and professional organizations. Orientations (in Spanish) held at churches originally, now held in CASA’s Office. Applications are often completed at initial contact or during first interview.

Enhancements to Recruitment and Training Cont. Spanish Trainings originally held in the community, now held in CASA’s office. Community Leaders recruited to facilitate introductions in faith based communities, social and civic groups, businesses, and professional organizations.

Outcomes Latino CASA Volunteers: African American CASA Volunteers Over 300 have attended orientations, Nine Spanish Trainings held to date, 89 Trainees attended Spanish Training, 74 chose to attend English Training 163 Total Prospective Latino CASA Volunteers attended training. African American CASA Volunteers 17 completed training and are assigned to children.

Challenges Latino Community Nearly 50% of potential volunteers who attend an Orientation are undocumented, Significant effort is required to translate the curriculum (and updates), training materials, application packets, recruitment materials, website etc., Locating qualified bilingual presenters can be difficult and time consuming.

Challenges African American Community: Small population in San Mateo County, Initial outreach to churches unsuccessful, More resistance to the fact that staff does not reflect the community.

Successes Positively changed our office atmosphere and culture, Strengthened relationships with Spanish- speaking providers (social workers, therapists, etc.) and African American professional organizations,

Successes Cont. CASA volunteers are better received by children and families since they too come from that community, New CASA Volunteers have become ambassadors in their communities, Social Workers and Probation Officers request Latino CASA Volunteers.

Successes Cont. Strengthened our relationships in the Latino communities with businesses, social and civic groups and professional organizations: Increased financial support Awareness of opportunities/activities for children/youth CASA Volunteers: 2008: 1% Spanish speaking 2015: 20% Spanish speaking

Lessons Learned Develop and nurture relationships, Be patient, Clergy Community Organizations (AAHAC) Be patient, Recognize you may have to change your way of doing business (flexibility is key) Orientations and Training in the Community, at least initially Smaller classes Adding Networking/Speakers/Continuing Education Activities in Spanish to keep current CASA Volunteers engaged

Lessons Learned Cont. You will not need to compromise program expectations or requirements Many interested parties are undocumented but must be able to complete screenings Training classes in Spanish are smaller than those in English – 9-11 trainees vs. 25 trainees on average, but bilingual volunteers attend trainings in English as well Strengthened our relationships in the nonprofit world/with collaborators that benefit our CASA children – My New Red Shoes

MALE RECRUITMENT

Need Many foster children and youth lack consistent caring male role models. General recruitment efforts have not yielded high male volunteer numbers: In 2008, 17% of CASA Volunteers were male In 2015, 18% of CASA volunteers are male We know that men do volunteer in their communities. How do we reach them?

Social Media Example

Enhancements to Recruitment Identified and emulated CASA programs in the country with strong male recruitment efforts: Other CASA programs willing to share and collaborate, Created our own male focused recruitment material, Identified most successful recruitment channels for reaching men, Engaged current male volunteers to help with recruitment efforts and goals. Changing the language: make the process less rigid *Word of mouth

Challenges Need to create materials with motivating and effective messaging: Overcoming stereotypes, Use of appropriate images, CASA Quarterback Club: Has been highly successful in Richland County, South Carolina, Our CASA Volunteers were not interested in football theme, However, one event did yield several new male volunteers.