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CASCWA'S STATE EXECUTIVE BOARD


CASCWA STATE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

CASCWA State President

Dr. Rick Riegel


Dear CASCWA Members, Community Partners and Friends,

Greetings to all of you as we start off the 2024-25 school year.  It is my honor to serve as the CASCWA State President this year.  Our team of Board members is already working hard to develop a variety of trainings to help those working in Student Services/Child Welfare and Attendance gain the knowledge and strategies to be effective in supporting the students in California.

For those of you unfamiliar to CASCWA, please allow me to say a few words about it. The California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance was founded in 1936 and has been dedicated to addressing matters related to helping students benefit from the educational system, primarily in areas such as attendance, dropout prevention, student discipline, student safety and with efforts to promote a positive school climate and culture.  California has an extensive number of laws regulating school policy and procedures, with new legislation each year.  School administrators, counselors, social workers and other professionals require extensive training to stay abreast of legal issues and best practices to support students and school districts’ missions. 

Membership in CASCWA has been kept at only $75 per year and training costs are kept as low as possible.  CASCWA is a nonprofit, and all of the Board members are volunteers and only this year have we had a paid staff member.  Those involved on the Board have a heart to contribute to their profession for the benefit of students, and truly want to give back.  We have benefited so much from CASCWA and its spirit of cooperation and positivity that we have wanted to be a part of the Board’s efforts and help impact this community.  We seek other leaders in our field to join us.

CASCWA has four sections, Bay, Delta-Sierra, San Joaquin and Southern, and each holds training in their region.  Each year, a State Conference is held in one of those regions and this year it will be in Anaheim.  Information will be coming out soon.  These conferences are an opportunity for districts to showcase best practices, as well as hear from legal experts and subject experts on relevant and vital topics.  It is a great opportunity to get together with hundreds of other professionals from all around the state.  We also promote excellence in Student Services by recognizing State award winning Model SARB teams for their outstanding practices. 

Please explore our website and our newsletter, the Intercom, and come to the state conference this year.  You will find that the people in our field have a heart for students and a desire to grow and be the best they can be.  There is a lot to know and always more to learn, but the work is never dull and makes a huge difference in the lives of students and the success of school districts.

In closing, I hope you have a great school year and take advantage of the opportunities in CASCWA.  Look into our student scholarships that recognize students who have benefited from the work of Student Services professionals.  Just another reason to get involved with the leaders in Child Welfare and Attendance!

Rick Riegel

CASCWA State President



2023-24 CASCWA STATE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS


Dr. Rick Riegel

State President

Consultant, Orange COE 

contact 


Dr. Kevin Torosian, J.D.

Past State President

Central USD, Retired


Dr. Don English

State  President Elect

Director, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools


Michelle Sapanara

State Secretary

Assistant Superintendent, Springs Charter School


Ariana Velasco 

Bay Section President 

CWAL, San Francisco USD


David Kopperud

Delta Section President

CDE, Retired

Sharma Uma

San Joaquin Section President

Stanislaus COE

San Joaquin President

Stanislaus COE

suma@stancoe.org 

Don English

Southern Section President

Director, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools


Frank Boehler

State Treasurer

Orange USD, Retired

contact

Lisa Sanchez

State Membership Chair

Office Coordinator, Woodland Joint USD

contact


Jennifer Kottke

Intercom Editor

Los Angeles COE

contact


Jenifer Gomeztrejo

State SARB Rep.

Student Support Services Solutions


Sherman Garnett

Legislation Advocate

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Retired 



Dan Sackheim

Member-at-Large

Education Programs Consultant,

CA Dept. of Education 



Dennis Wiechmann

Member-at-Large

Superintendent, Sanger USD


Andrew Kevy

Co-Webmaster

Director, Hayward USD


Jenifer Mendel

Member-at-Large

Grossmont USD, Retired


Erica Peterson

Executive Director

contact





Executive Director's Message

Welcome to CASCWA!

Dear Colleagues and Partners,

As the Executive Director of the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare & Attendance (CASCWA), I am honored to welcome you to our vibrant community. CASCWA is dedicated to ensuring that every child in California has the support and resources they need to thrive academically and personally.

Our association is built on a foundation of collaboration, advocacy, and education. Together, we work to address the challenges facing our students, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Through our shared commitment, we aim to create safer, more supportive school environments and champion every child's well-being.

Thank you for being a part of CASCWA. Your dedication and passion are what make our work possible. I encourage you to take full advantage of the resources, training, and networking opportunities we offer. Together, we can make a significant and meaningful impact on the lives of the children and families we serve.

Warm regards,

Erica Peterson

Executive Director




Click below for a listing of CASCWA's State Presidents from 1937 to today!

List of CASCWA State Presidents up to 2022-23.doc



Click below for a listing of CASCWA's four Section Presidents to 2022-23


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