Diana Woldt-Gorsich-Senior Advocacy Supervisor-Voices for Children: San Diego

Bio: I worked for an early intervention specialist for 13 years in school and private clinics in early intervention special education. In 2014, I started at Voices for Children as an advocacy supervisor. I supervise a caseload of CASAs, help train our new staff, and assist with our Children’s Activities program, which provides our CASAs and youth opportunities for special outings due to the generous donations of our community partner: such as the Zoo, Sea World, LEGOLAND, museums and aquariums as some examples.  

Background of CASA/Voices for Children San Diego: In 1976, a juvenile court judge in Seattle felt he had insufficient information needed to make what would be a life changing decision on a case for a 3 year old girl who had suffered from abuse. After reflecting on how he could gather further information for future cases, he came up with the idea and model for what would eventually become the CASA (or court appointed special advocate program), to train volunteers to gather information for the juvenile court to represent the best interests of children in the foster care system. 

Our San Diego program, Voices for Children, was founded in 1980, and expanded to include Riverside county in 2015. In both counties over the past year, Voices for Children assigned CASAs to almost 2000 youth in the foster system for more than 1300 dependent children. In addition, 483 San Diego children in foster care received support by a Voices for Children staff advocate, and 983 children who entered foster care in San Diego received a thorough needs assessment by Voices for Children staff, through our case liaison program, in which a Voices for Children staff member sits in every courtroom daily to hear all incoming dependency cases and start the process of evaluating how best Voices for Children can support that child.  We are the only agency in San Diego authorized to have advocates in Court and Voices for Children, the largest CASA program in California, and one of the top three largest CASA programs nationally. 

Our CASAs represent youth from birth all the way to young adults from ages 18-21 who enter the Extended Foster Care program. Voices for Children also assigns CASAs to youth involved in the juvenile justice system, which used to be referred to as the delinquency system. Thanks to a special grant, we are now able to assign CASAs to youth who have committed minor crimes or offenses and could benefit from the advocacy of a CASA.

https://www.voicesforchildren.org/

Instagram:  linktr.ee/voices_for_children

https://www.facebook.com/VoicesForChildrenSD   #dianawoldtgorsich #voicesforchildren #fostercare #fostercaresystems #courtappointedspecialadvocate #fosterchild #fosterkids #fosterchildren #casa

What? I listen to my kid! And I always give him good advice. Of course, he doesn't listen and doesn't take my advice. Why is that? Does that sound familiar? Sometimes when we think we are listening we actually are not and it affects our relationship with our kids. Join Gina and Don as they talk about listening and acknowledging feelings.

#parentalk #kidtalk #listeningtoyourkids #communicationwithkids #parentcommunication #ginagrothoff #dongrothoff #focusedhealthyfamily

Working with Churches and Communities to build a village around a family fostering a child. That is the job of Kim Trainer and Susie Boyle with Fostering The Family Organization.

Fostering The Family

Their Stories:

Kim Trainer – CEO

I am the happy mother of five children, four of which are in college/graduated and one child still at home. One married with twin grandboys!  I have been married to Tony for 30 years. During this next season of life, the critical need to stand up and advocate for children who cannot stand for themselves is direr than ever before in history. And so, my life’s calling continues…

If it had not been for 2 little girls who were being sex trafficked in Rock Hill, SC by their mother, I would have continued to grieve, and yet look the other way, always asking “What could I really do?”. When I heard about these children, I committed that day to never be on the side of “doing nothing” ever again!

Since then, I have tirelessly worked to build this ministry to Ignite churches, communities and volunteers to do more….  Though there are countless ways to serve this community, I wholeheartedly believe that the winning combination is establishing Care Communities in churches.

When a family is called to foster or adopt, they bring more than just good will, they bring with them two words that have changed societies for centuries- Jesus and a loving Family. We are better together and TOGETHER we will see changes made. 

Susie Boyle – Director of Outreach and Partnerships

I am passionate about working with the least of these and have been since my heart was touched and forever changed by fostering a sweet little girl in 2005 in Michigan.

Realizing this child didn’t have an adult voice in court, I felt called to be the voice of children in Foster Care when I moved to South Carolina. I have now been a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for over ten years.  It is through this role that the foster crisis became so evident and being the voice for children who have no voice has absolutely become my life calling.

I have been married for 27 years to my college sweetheart Dennis, have two amazing biological children Shayne and Avery and one beautiful bonus child named Kennedy. I also dwell with two awesome dogs and a rabbit named Ollie. In my spare time, I can be found playing soccer, working out at Burn Boot Camp or riding my paddleboard. 

Promise Network 

More Than Enough Organization

Instagram: linktr.ee/Fostering_the_Family   https://www.facebook.com/fosteringthefamily

How do you manage your time? Is it working for you or against you? Do you never seem to get all the things done that you wanted to? Gina and Don talk about how to manage your time for the most productivity and fulfillment.

#timemanagement #timeblocks # flexibletimeschedules #howtomanagetime #calendartime #ginagrothoff #dongrothoff #focusedhealthyfamily

Diane Smyers - Donor Relations Coordinator - This is her story and why we wanted to talk to her. Join us as she tells some stories and gives us her perspective of Foster Care and C.A.S.A.

I bring a unique dynamic to the C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocate) team. I've been in foster care. I've experienced the despair many of our youth face daily. I've been a part of the bleak statistics our foster youth encompass. 

I've also been blessed to have had a CASA appointed to me at a critical time in my life. She (Virginia) made a pivotal, life-changing difference in my life, my self-esteem, and helped me see I was not defined by the labels imposed upon me by a broken system. She was that one consistent person who wasn't paid to care about me. She was a light in a dark time in my life. 

She taught me, generational abuse can stop - by one victim choosing to stand up, use their voice saying, "It ends with me!" She taught me about moving forward and Changing lives-starting with my own. She taught me life skills, reinforced my work ethic, boundaries in any relationship, budgeting, and finding community resources available. Her impact is endless. She was the first adult with whom I felt heard. The lessons Virginia taught over 30 yrs. ago, resonate today. She continues to be a trusted friend today. 

It is my goal to recruit and train future CASA's to change lives. One. Youth. At. A Time.

This is what a C.A.S.A. / G.A.L. does

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIYBV6p5Kh8

https://www.casaofsb.org/ 

Mailing Address PO Box 519 Rialto, CA 92377 Contact Administration Offices 1027 Santo Antonio Drive Suite A Colton, CA. 92324 Phone 909.881.6760

#fostercare #fostercaresystem #fostercarekids #fostercarechildren #fostercarechild #fostercareteens #mentalhealthcare #mentalhealthwithfosterkids #mentalhealthsystem #mentalhealthfacilities #focusedhealthyfamily #ginagrothoff #dongrothoff #casa #c.a.s.a. #dianesmyer #CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate

Has Cupid come into your life yet? What can you  do for yourself to be your own valentine this year? Join Gina and Don for some great valentine tips...

You might even consider listen to this podcast as an added tip for today: Rita Garnto's Simple Self Care interview:  https://focusedhealthyfamilypodcast.com/2022/04/28/fhf-podcast-11-simple-self-care-by-rita-with-guest-rita-garnto/

#valentinesday #valentinesforparents #happyvalentinesday #valentinestipsforparents #ginagrothoff #dongrothoff #focusedhealthyfamily #cupidsarrowstrikes

"Dr. Chris Boman is a Pediatric Chiropractor, Author, Holistic Small Business Strategist, and Regenerative Farmer who loves helping families live a holistic and healthy lifestyle free from medical dependence. Dr. Chris has a diplomate in Pediatric and Prenatal Chiropractic and is the founder of Trailhead Family Chiropractic in Southern California. He also launched his first book, Perspective: Rewire Your Brain for Success and Abundance in 2022! This book is a cumulation of his experience as a clinician, entrepreneur, father, and farmer to help people adopt the abundance mindset and success lifestyle from a neurological level. In his free time, Dr. Chris and his wife pour their time and passion into their regenerative micro farm, First Fruits Homestead." https://www.trailheadchiropractic.com/    https://www.instagram.com/drchrisboman/   https://www.healthandhomesteading.com/    Dr. Boman's Book   #farminghealthyfoods #healthandhomesteadingconference #healthandhomesteading #drchrisboman #trailheadfamilychiropractic #chiropracticdoctor #holisticchiropractic #holisticchiropractor #ginagrothoff #dongrothoff #focusedhealthyfamily

Too many kids in foster care end up on the streets. The system needs change. Richard Villasana is doing something about it. His organization "Forever Homes for Foster Kids"  does the search for find a relative who may not even know they are related to this child. They put together a family and a home for this foster child. Join Gina and Don talking to Richard telling stories and giving us a picture of foster life. 

#fostercare #fostercaresystems #fosterkids #fosterchildren #fosteringachild fosteringakid #richardvillasana #foreverhomesforfosterkids #ginagrothoff #dongrothoff #focusedhealthyfamily

https://foreverhomesforfosterkids.org/

Book: Do No Harm - Get it here

Find Richard on Linkedin here 

Find Richard on Twitter here 

Find Richard on Facebook here

Have you ever put your shirt or pants on backward? Would you go through your day like that? Maybe not but how do you break up the monotony of your life? Gina and Don talk about backward day and how to shake up life a bit.

#haveabackwarddaywithkids #mixinguplife #changingroutines #doingthingsdifferent #ginagrothoff #dongrothoff #focusedhealthyfamily

This podcast begins a month of looking at the Foster Care System with interviews and information to help understand what is happening to our kids in Foster Care. Since it is Valentine's Month we want to send positive love to all kids especially those in the Foster Care System and beyond. Today Gina and I talk about our experience in the mental health system and how it connects to what is going on in the Foster Care System. Join us...

#fostercare #fostercaresystem #fostercarekids #fostercarechildren #fostercarechild #fostercareteens #mentalhealthcare #mentalhealthwithfosterkids #mentalhealthsystem #mentalhealthfacilities #focusedhealthyfamily #ginagrothoff #dongrothoff