CASA to present at Healthy East Valley coalition meeting in Redlands

Healthy East Valley’s Drug Free Communities Coalition (DFCC) will spotlight the transformative work of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) at its next monthly meeting, set for Friday, Aug. 15, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at The Hall behind Theron’s Marketplace, 122 Cajon St.

The featured speaker is Maribel Morales, Community Outreach Manager for CASA of San Bernardino County. Morales will share how trained CASA volunteers serve as consistent adult mentors and court advocates for local youth navigating the foster care system.

More than 200 children and teens in San Bernardino County are currently waiting to be paired with a CASA — someone who can help ensure their voice is heard in court, connect them with support services and guide them toward long-term stability.

CASA volunteers receive specialized training and are appointed by a judge to advocate for a child’s best interests in court proceedings and placement decisions. In addition to highlighting volunteer opportunities, Morales will share how community members can support CASA through outreach, donations, and partnership.

The August DFCC meeting will include a presentation, Q&A session and coalition updates from agencies across the East Valley. The event is open to families, professionals, and residents interested in youth well-being and substance use prevention.

Healthy East Valley is a nonprofit organization focused on health education, prevention and evaluation in San Bernardino County. Through its coalition work, HEV aims to reduce underage substance use and build a stronger, more connected community.

For more information about the coalition or to attend the meeting, visit healthyeastvalley.org.