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What is CASA?

Court Appointed Special Advocates® (CASAs) are community volunteers, just like you, who speak up for abused and/or neglected children.

Our CASA program belongs to a network of nearly 950 community-based programs that recruit, train and support citizen-volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and/or neglected children in courtrooms and communities.

  • Children in care in Washoe County on an average day 2024
    Children in care in Washoe County on an average day 2024

    635

  • Children served by CASA volunteers in 2024
    Children served by CASA volunteers in 2024

    107

  • You can be the ONE we need!
    You can be the ONE we need!

    1


News & Notes

Registration is NOW open! Join us today, and you can help change a child's story!

Did you know 1 in 7 children were victims of abuse or neglect last year? In Washoe County, over 600 children are in foster care because it's no longer safe. CASAs ensure these vulnerable children have someone fighting for their best interests.

Now, you have a chance to be part of this vital mission by teeing off for a cause on Friday, July 25th! The Washoe CASA Foundation is hosting its inaugural Charity Golf Tournament and hope you'll join us for this amazing cause! All levels are welcomed and encouraged to participate!

Sponsorship opportunities are STILL available! Become a Community Partner today! Contact us directly or by complete the interest form here: https://forms.gle/AH2dTXBYLwxeXZK66

FLASH SALE IS OFFICIALLY OPEN! Register today and get $100 OFF Team Pricing!

Did you know 1 in 7 children were victims of abuse or neglect last year? In Washoe County, over 600 children are in foster care because it's no longer safe. CASAs ensure these vulnerable children have someone fighting for their best interests.

Now, you have a chance to be part of this vital mission. Join us! Friday, July 25th, as we Tee off for a Cause! You can help change a child's story!

Get involved today! Visit our event page: https://washoecasafoundation.com/events-news/events.html/event/2025/07/25/charity-golf-tournament/521863 or contact us directly!

washoecasa@gmail.com
☎775-574-8820

Did you know? At least 1 in 7 children in the U.S. have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year. Child abuse and neglect can be prevented! Prevention starts with access to resources.

The Washoe CASA Foundation held its 4th annual Biggest Little Easter Egg Hunt on April 12 in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. It was heartwarming to see so many happy kids with their baskets, eyes wide with excitement as they searched for colorful eggs.

The event wasn't just about the kids. Caretakers had the invaluable opportunity to connect with over 70 incredible child welfare organizations. It was a fantastic chance to gather information, resources, and support from the dedicated individuals and groups working to spread awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

BIGGEST LITTLE EASTER EGG HUNT!

Join us for the Biggest Little Easter Egg Hunt and Resource Fair!

Happening on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, located at 2680 E. 9th Street in Reno.

The event is free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations are required.

The Resource Fair opens at 9 a.m. for a sensory-friendly hour to accommodate individuals who thrive in quieter environments.

The event will feature games, face painting, and pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny.

Caregivers can take advantage of free hearing, vision and dental screenings, and vaccinations for children.

For those attendees with disabilities and/or sensory sensitivities, a calming room will be available.

This event helps raise awareness for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It’s time to remember that we each play a part in promoting the social, physical and emotional well-being of children and families in our community.

Maryland CASA Association Annual Conference on Child Well-Being: Roads to Resilience.

Maryland CASA Association Annual Conference

This year's conference brought together about 200 professionals and volunteer advocates from across the state and beyond to learn from national and regional experts on child welfare, mental health, addictions, education, disabilities, and many other topics. Workshops focused on issues that impact children, families, the courts, and child welfare programs, and had a childhood resilience lens.

The First Day, Thursday September 23, featured a half-day Institute on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and included plenary and workshop sessions that explored strategies for equitable practices in the child welfare system.  Dr. Nathaniel Bryan spoke on the topic: And How are the Children?: Pedagogies of Healing to Support Black Youth who Experience Trauma.  Dr. Brandynicole Brooks spoke on the topic: Black Single Mothers and the Child Welfare System.  These experts educated the audience about the concept of Intersectionality.  

Day 2, Friday September 24, featured Maryland's traditional conference format, with keynote speaker, Delegate C.T. Wilson, followed by a variety of workshops on childhood resilience, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma, and many other related child welfare topics.  Dr. Wilson wrote a book titled, 10,000 Hills: One Boy's Journey, about his personal adverse life experiences.  Matila Jones educated attendees on NEAR -- Neuroscience, Epigenetics, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience. The afternoon breakout sessions covered important and interesting subjects including: Youth with Incarcerated Parents (Veronica Cruz) and Owning What's Yours to Own as a CASA (Lisa Drake) 

The final day, Saturday September 25, featured a half-day Institute on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and explored resilience strategies for children and families impacted by FASD.  William Edwards and Larry Burd spoke about Identifying and Building Resilience in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.  Then Natalie Novick Brown and Richard Adler educated the group about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and the Brain.  The second half of the morning included a panel discussion about FASD, moderated by Tom Donaldson. The panel was made up of experts from NOFAS (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and experts from other entities.  Sharnell Tull aka SistaBig concluded the conference experience with a powerful poem, Road to Resilience, written in honor of the conference.

The Maryland CASA staff was ever present and ever helpful over the three day conference.  Director, Ed Kilcullen and staff members, Meghan Resler, Shekinah Davis and Trish Woodward were on hand to answer questions, facilitate the sessions and provide technical support.  They really knew what they were doing! 

The entire conference was broadcast using the Whova platform and Zoom.  The technology worked almost flawlessly, allowing about 8 volunteers from the Washoe CASA Program to attend this conference and access this timely and useful information right from our homes.  Thanks to the WCF for covering the registration fees and thanks to Maryland CASA for allowing our Reno contingent to attend.