Important note: The following recommendation was approved by the Board of Supervisors on July 23, 2013, and a new agreement was approved on June 16, 2015. For updates, visit our Performance Dashboard.

TO:                                Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:                           John L. Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:                      Measure A Proposal – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Recommendation:

Direct staff to budget $100,000 in Measure A funds in Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, for a total request of $200,000, for an agreement with CASA to train additional mentors and advocates, increase the number of foster children served from 220 to 360 by September 30, 2015, resulting in a reduction of unexcused absences and improvement in academic performance.

Background:

Foster children are the most vulnerable in the county, are the most isolated and at-risk, and are concentrated in the most impoverished parts of the county. The research demonstrates that foster children are more likely to have developmental delays, lower cognitive functioning, behavioral and emotional problems, and mental illness. All of these are factors that lead to poor juvenile and adult outcomes in the form of increased rates of incarceration, homelessness, school dropout, and unemployment, which impose enormous costs on the County. National research demonstrates that successful adults from severely challenging childhoods had at least one stable, positive adult supporter during their childhood. CASA currently trains community volunteers who provide each child with one-on-one mentoring and advocacy on an ongoing basis. CASA works closely with the Juvenile Court, Children and Family Services (HSA), Probation, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (San Mateo County Health), schools, and numerous other community partners.

Discussion:

Less than one half of foster children in San Mateo County have the benefit of a CASA volunteer. The number of dependent children in the county is increasing, from 525 cases in FY2010 to over 634 for FY2013. These children come from all regions of the county, but are concentrated in the lower socio-economic cities.

CASA has a strong track record of providing volunteers who, on average, spend ten hours per month and over two years with their child. After a child’s case is closed, CASAs also often serve as a child’s positive permanent connection – a policy priority at the federal, state, and county level – that can prove elusive for this challenged and isolated population.

CASA of San Mateo County’s approach to mentoring is evidence-based. Research on mentoring that incorporates evidence-based best practices has repeatedly shown that a consistent, positive adult in the life of a child is associated with improved self-esteem; improved relationships with peers and adults; greater school connectedness and academic performance; and reduced substance abuse and violence. CASA of San Mateo County exceeds national standards for mentoring best practices with rigorous screening, 30 hours of training, a structured program, professional supervision and support of CASAs, frequency of meetings between CASAs and  their children, and duration of the relationship.

CASA will use Measure A funds to build on its strong record of success to provide a consistent, caring adult for a significant number of additional foster children in the County. While CASA’s program is cost effective at $2,500 to support a foster child for a year, its growth goal will require additional funds. These funds will be used to hire a .75 FTE Recruitment and Training professional who can assist in the recruitment, background screening, and training needed to increase the number of new CASA volunteer trainings from two annually to five in FY2014 and five in FY2015 (8 English, 2 Spanish). Concurrently, the CASA Board is evaluating other pathways to increase capacity to recruit, train, and support additional volunteers to meet the strategic goal of providing a CASA volunteer for every foster child in the County who needs one.

Peformance Measures:

Measure	Baseline	FY2013-14 Goal	FY 2014-15 Goal
Number of children who will be assigned to work with a CASA volunteer	220	300	360
Average number of hours each child will receive in mentoring and advocacy from their CASA volunteer per month.*	10 hours of service per month per volunteer	10 hours of service per month per volunteer	10 hours of service per month per volunteer
Children working with a CASA for a year or more will decrease their unexcused absences by 10% as compared to the baseline year. (Note: This is a new measure.  In FY 13-14 CASA will establish a data collection method and an attendance baseline.).	To be established in FY 13-14	Baseline year	10% decrease
Children working with a CASA for a year or more will improve their academic performance, as measured by report cards, by 10% as compared to the baseline year. (Note: This is a new measure. In FY 13-14 CASA will establish a data collection method and a performance baseline.)	To be established in FY 13-14	Baseline year	10% improvement

* CASA assignments will happen throughout the grant year, but last, on average, for 25 months.

Fiscal Impact:

It is recommended that $100,000 in Measure A funds be appropriated for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, for a total request of $200,000, for an agreement with CASA to train additional mentors and advocates, increase the number of foster children served from 220 to 360 by September 30, 2015, resulting in a reduction of unexcused absences and improvement in academic performance.

Important note: This is a copy of the official report -- item 12F on the Board's agenda.