Welcome to Southern Section Page!
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE |
CASCWA’s Southern Section President’s Message
Leslie Hansen
Anaheim Elementary School District
Dear Southern Section CASCWA Members,
As we embark on a new school year, I am both honored and excited to serve as your Southern Section President. Our collective mission—to support and advocate for the success of all students—remains as vital today as it has ever been. Each of you, through your dedication and expertise, makes a profound difference in the lives of children, families, and communities across our region.
The beginning of the year is a time of renewed energy and fresh opportunities. It’s a time to reflect on the successes we’ve achieved, to acknowledge the challenges ahead, and to commit ourselves once again to collaboration, professional growth, and innovative solutions. CASCWA’s strength lies in our ability to come together—sharing strategies, resources, and support—to address the needs of students facing barriers to attendance, engagement, and achievement.
This year, we will continue to:
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Provide relevant, high-quality professional development to prepare child welfare and attendance professionals with the tools they need to address current issues in education.
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Foster networking opportunities that connect members with colleagues and experts within the Southern Section and across the state.
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Advocate for policies and practices that ensure equity, access, and inclusion for all students.
I encourage each of you to remain engaged—attend our workshops, participate in discussions, and lend your voice to the important conversations shaping the future of our schools. Your involvement strengthens our organization and amplifies our impact.
On behalf of the Southern Section Board, thank you for the work you do every day and for your commitment to our shared mission. I look forward to a year of meaningful collaboration, fresh ideas, and continued success for our students and communities.
With gratitude and anticipation,
Leslie Hansen
President, Southern Section CASCWA
lhansen@aesd.org
Southern Section Events |
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CASCWA Membership: Supporting the Southern Section We hope you find an interest to join the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare & Attendance. The Southern Section serves Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. We look forward to having you as a collaborating member! Joining as a paying member will give you access to these benefits: ● Available Experts in Child Welfare & Attendance ● Up-to-Date Information on current issues, trends and findings ● Collaboration throughout California for all district & county staff with CWA/Student Services Administrators ● In-person and Virtual Workshops available throughout the year ● Annual State Conference with a plethora of resources for you to be at your best ● Receive ongoing legislative updates related to CWA/Student Services issues ● Helping at-risk students celebrate their accomplishments from adversity $125 Annually / Retirees & Students $50 For information: Email Aurora Mendoza Perry at aurora.mendoza.perry@gmail.com
CASCWA's Southern Section would like to thank Aurora Mendoza Perry. She was instrumental with the Legislative Update conducted by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. She spoke about CASCWA at the end of her power point and why all of the educators in attendance should be a member of CASCWA. While we do not have a recording of her words to share with you, we do have her power point. Please click below: CASCWA Membership Pitch LACOE 12.9.2022 2022-2023.pptx |
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Southern Section's Executive Board |
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Michelle Sapanara Vice President Assistant Superintendent Student Services Springs Charter Schools michelle.sapanara@springscs.org |
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Aurora M. Perry Secretary Coordinator of Student Services Beaumont USD (retired) | Mike Winters Ventura County Representative Director of Student Services Ventura County Office of Education |
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Jason Ferrell Webmaster District Coordinator Student Services Saddleback Valley USD JasonFerrell@svusd.org | Melissa Schoonmaker, LCSW Los Angeles Representative Project Manager III Child Welfare & Attendance Los Angeles COE | Sherman Garnett Legislative Chair Board Member Upland USD Board of Education |
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Jenifer Mendel Board Advisor Dropout Prevention Specialist Grossmont USD (retired) | Bonnie Boone Registrations & Website Administrative Assistant Orange County Dept. of Education |
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Jennifer Gomeztrejo State SARB Representative Student Support Services Solutions gomeztrejo.jennifer@4edconsultants.org | Amir Alavi Member at Large alavirocks@yahoo.com | Phil Kauble Honorary Member at Large Director Student Support Services Los Angeles COE (retired) |
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Violet Gutierrez Board Member at Large Director, Human Resources San Bernardino County Supt. of Schools violet.gutierrez@sbcss.net | Maria Hwang De Bravo Member at Large Student Support Services Solutions |
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Kristine Nelson Board Member at Large Coordinator Student Community Services Orange USD Krnelson@orangeusd.org | Monique Yessian Board Member at Large Director, Human Resources Saddleback Valley USD monique.yessian@svusd.org | Rick Riegel Board Member at Large Orange County Dept of Education Placentia Yorba Linda USD (retired) rriegs@yahoo.com | Tracy Schmidt Board Member at Large Director, Safety, Wellbeing and Student Engagement San Diego COE tracy.schmidt@sdcoe.net |