ADVOCACY RESOURCES

We know it can be hard to find the best way to connect with your children during this time. Remember your support is as important as ever. Here are some ways to help support and advocate for your child remotely.

When you are able to make contact, here are some things you can ask about and check on to support children, youth and families:

• Health of all household members -- physical and mental
• How are school/distance learning assignments being completed? What was sent by the district/teacher? Is the teacher available via email to help, if needed? Could the CASA assist virtually?
• What is the family doing to keep busy daily?
• Is anyone in the household still working outside the home?
• Has the child/children had any issues behaviorally since being home?
• If the child’s visitation has been suspended due to COVID-19, have they been able to stay in touch with their parent/sibling(s) by phone?
• Is the household having any other challenges? (Financial, shortage of food, childcare for healthcare workers/first responders, etc.)
• Are there upcoming non-urgent medical/dental appointments for the child/children, and if so, has their worker been consulted to determine whether these appointments can be postponed?
• Does the caretaker have supportive individuals they are relying on right now to stay sane and healthy?
• 15 Ways We Can Help Kids Who Are Worried About Coronavirus 

Top ways to engage kids when Video Calling:

• Encourage literacy- have your children read books to you! Even board books where a younger child can make a story that goes with the pictures
• Have a coloring match off. Use the same color canyon for one minute, the let the other side pick… Go through the whole range of colors.
• Get out the joke books! Take time telling riddles and jokes to each other.
• Build parts of a Lego city. Talk about building a piece of the city at the same time- one builds a barber shop and the other the post office.
• Share a snack- go through and count those gummy bears while also identifying their colors. Talk about nutrition with older kids. Design a silly veggie face and share!
• Challenge yourselves to play a game- if each side has the same game, you can move your partner along too. Or try UNO and play together. What about clue? There’s always a way to play games in a new fashion. Pictionary and charades are always a hit!
• Share music and have a dance off. Can you DJ your favorite song and bust out some cool moves? Have fun and laugh while getting some exercise!
• Share a story writing prompt. Each person can tag on one sentence to make a new story! Just number the turns so you can read it aloud again.
• Ask them to share their day but use sound effects and different voices. Let them choose to talk like a vampire and discuss their last meal! Done well, this one’s a gut buster
• Try being the BEST listener. Lean in, ask open-ended questions (like “Tell me the best part of your day” or Tell me more about that”) and don’t give any advice. They know when you’re really listening and be excited about what they have to say!

How You as a volunteer can help CASA without leaving the house

• Encourage others that you know that would be a good fit to become a volunteer. A warm hand off is the best recruitment strategy. So while you're out there in the phone, tell your friends about us!
• Get your training needs fulfilled now. What would you like to know more about? There are great websites and YouTube videos that can count as part of your yearly education. Even better- find one that you like and share it with us. For Webinars and other recommended training resources click here.
• Write down your best day as a volunteer. When we write grants we often need a story that shows the good you do in the world. Take your time to craft a great story and share it with us.