Kari Calvarese: Pima County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); Lead Coordinator, Pima County Juvenile Court
Monday August 19, 2024,
2:30pm – 3:30 pm,
ASA Koffler Great Room and Zoom
Life is tough for a lot of kids. Children often enter the foster care system through no fault of their own. Often times they are the victim of abuse or neglect. This presentation outlines how the child welfare system works in Arizona. Kari Calvarese will begin by explaining how children come into foster care and what happens once they’re in the system. She’ll discuss this system from the court, family, and child’s perspective. An important component of the system that advocates for children is CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA depends on volunteers who are appointed by the juvenile court judge to advocate for the best interest of children in foster care. The impact of this program is significant as its volunteers build a positive connection with a child and are frequently the only person who remains consistent in that child’s life during their time in foster care.
Kari is the Lead Coordinator and Recruiter for the CASA of Pima County Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies from the University of Arizona. Her work in the community has encompassed working with adults with serious mental illness, working directly with youth in a group home setting, providing direct care and parent aide services to parents who were at risk of having their children removed by the Department of Children Services, and working in the school setting with elementary aged children. Her diverse background gives her a unique understanding of the needs within Pima County. In her current position with CASA, she provides outreach and support to volunteers working with youth to ensure they’re an effective advocate and voice for children in foster care. Kari was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and is married with two teenage children.
Compiled and Edited by Margo Vroman, Academy Village Volunteer
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