May is National Foster Care Month. California currently has almost 80,000 children and youth in foster care. For some kids getting moved into foster care saves their lives but for many more it is the beginning of a life that affords them poor educational experiences, minimal medical care, and no opportunity to bond with mentors or role models. The prognosis for children who have spent time in foster care is poor.

These kids deserve a quality education, proper preparation for employment and a permanent relationship with a caring adult. One way to do this is to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate for these kids. Believe me, you will get as much out of building a supportive relationship with a child in foster care and guiding their cases through the crowded juvenile court system as they do. All these years later I am still involved with my two CASA 'children' who are now on their way to adulthood knowing that they will always have a person to call when the chips are down.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive