In Partnership With The GIANT Company

Social Justice Institute

As part of our ongoing efforts to address inequalities, PA CASA is excited to announce the kickoff of The Social Justice Institute with The GIANT Company as the founding partner. This partnership will allow PA CASA to advance the existing DEI committee’s efforts to date. It will enable the state office to work individually and in groups with local CASA programs targeting areas for enhanced work that addresses social justice issues that directly impact service to children and families.

The Social Justice Institute is designing a strategic, comprehensive timeline to make new investments and commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingness. Our efforts to address social justice issues in communities include: maintaining a collection of core documents, reviewing policies and procedures for inclusive language, collecting and analyzing data to address disproportionality in board, staff, and volunteers, and examining disparate outcomes for children served through the use of Optima reports and qualitative surveys. The Social Justice institute will also develop a DEI plan and focus on the recruitment of a diverse board, staff, and volunteers reflective of the communities they serve through intentional recruitment plans. PA CASA will offer training opportunities and different initiatives such as the Health Equity course which will focus on addressing racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ health disparities.

PA CASA is dedicated to producing better outcomes for children and families and addressing the disparities in the child welfare system. This means creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement, where our programs, staff, and partners reflect and address the needs of the diverse communities and children we serve.

PA CASA is excited to create an open and inclusive space where programs can have authentic conversations and voice their thoughts and ideas.

In Partnership With The Giant Company

Social Justice Institute

As part of our ongoing efforts to address inequalities, PA CASA is excited to announce the kickoff of The Social Justice Institute with The GIANT Company as the founding partner. This partnership will allow PA CASA to advance the existing DEI committee’s efforts to date. It will enable the state office to work individually and in groups with local CASA programs targeting areas for enhanced work that addresses social justice issues that directly impact service to children and families.

The Social Justice Institute is designing a strategic, comprehensive timeline to make new investments and commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingness. Our efforts to address social justice issues in communities include: maintaining a collection of core documents, reviewing policies and procedures for inclusive language, collecting and analyzing data to address disproportionality in board, staff, and volunteers, and examining disparate outcomes for children served through the use of Optima reports and qualitative surveys. The Social Justice institute will also develop a DEI plan and focus on the recruitment of a diverse board, staff, and volunteers reflective of the communities they serve through intentional recruitment plans. PA CASA will offer training opportunities and different initiatives such as the Health Equity course which will focus on addressing racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ health disparities.

PA CASA is dedicated to producing better outcomes for children and families and addressing the disparities in the child welfare system. This means creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement, where our programs, staff, and partners reflect and address the needs of the diverse communities and children we serve.

PA CASA is excited to create an open and inclusive space where programs can have authentic conversations and voice their thoughts and ideas.

Pennsylvania CASA Association’s values are founded in the belief that best-interest volunteer advocacy can ensure safety, well-being, and permanency for abused and neglected children. We live our values by:

  • Communicating with accuracy, integrity, and truthfulness
  • Creating a community of respect, without judgment
  • Listening to communities and programs to build understanding
  • Integrating the values of individual communities into our work
  • Intentionally setting goals
  • Focusing on solutions
  • Collaborating with local CASA programs and stakeholders and persevering to achieve our goals

Social Justice Institute Initiatives

leadership

Leadership Commitment

The Social Justice Institute is committed to supporting local programs, providing resources, and building a culture that is inclusive and innovative.

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Employee and Volunteer Experience

The Social Justice Institute will create a work environment where everyone's thoughts, ideas, and perspective matter to expand opportunities for continued learning.

transparency

Transparency

The Social Justice Institute will collect and analyze data to inform our understanding of disproportionality and disparities in the dependency system and its impact in the communities we serve.

workplace-diversity

Workplace Diversity

The Social Justice Institute will take action to diversify volunteers, staff, and board members by identifying Black-, Latinx- and Indigenous-owned businesses to become involved with CASA as a volunteer, staff member, or board member.

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Effective Learning and Development

The Social Justice Institute will provide educational opportunities and resources to create a culture of continuous learning and improvement, where our programs, staff, and partners reflect and address the needs of the diverse communities and children we serve.

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Implement and Advocate

The Social Justice Institute will work with local programs to establish and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion plans reflective of these values to promote a more equitable and inclusive environment and seek to take action to address disparities.

Resources