Day at the Capitol with California CASA advocating for Foster Youth
Hannah Stombler Levine, co-chair of SFCASA’s Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT) at the Sacramento state capitol.
On 02/05/2025, SFCASA’s Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT) participated in CalCASA’s second annual Day at the Capitol. This cross-team initiative brought together three-year Youth Empowerment Board (YEB) member Marta Rivas Crespin and LAT Co-Chair Hannah Stombler-Levine, an eight-year advocate, along with staff members Eduardo Mayorga and Erika Dirkse.
This year, CalCASA’s Day at the Capitol focused on building legislative support for a one-year, $20 million allocation to sustain the momentum of a recently concluded three-year, $60 million funding effort. Although the initial goal was to secure permanent funding for CASA programs, given California's projected budget deficits, CalCASA shifted its approach to advocating for a one-time allocation as a stepping stone for future recurring funding.
SFCASA has leveraged its portion of state funding to expand volunteer recruitment, strengthen case management, and stabilize program growth—all key components of its mission to serve more youth. As one of six local CASA programs (out of 44 across California) to establish an LAT in FY23-24, SFCASA’s Legislative Advocacy Team plays a critical role in advancing systems change through local and state-level policy and legislative advocacy, aligning with SFCASA’s five-year strategic plan.
Legislative Meetings & Personal Advocacy
During this year’s Day at the Capitol, SFCASA’s LAT held priority meetings with Senator Scott Wiener (D11) and Legislative Aide Doonya Mahmoud, representing Assemblymember Matt Haney (D17). CalCASA CEO Sharon Lawrence and former Assemblymember Mark Stone (D29), who now serves on the Santa Cruz CASA board, also participated.
In each meeting, Marta Rivas Crespin delivered powerful personal testimony about the positive impact of CASA advocacy on her life. Hannah Stombler-Levine shared the journey of a youth she serves as a CASA advocate for nearly eight years, shedding light on the multigenerational harm caused by broken child welfare and criminal justice systems. Hannah Stombler-Levine also highlighted the additional trauma a youth she serves endured as a foster youth survivor of trafficking—while also emphasizing their resilience, achievements, and leadership, including valedictorian honors at high school graduation and a commitment to breaking the cycle of child welfare and poverty as a parent.
To tailor the funding request to each legislator’s agenda, SFCASA’s LAT provided issue-specific advocacy points. For Assemblymember Haney’s team, the discussion included his support for ACR 9 (National Human Trafficking Awareness Month) and past efforts to preserve the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), both of which directly impact current and former foster youth. With Senator Wiener, the conversation covered his leadership in protecting LGBTQIA+ rights and past legislative successes like SB407 (gender-affirming resource family homes) and SB4 (expanding faith-based affordable housing initiatives).
February 5th was a powerful day at the Capitol—not only for SFCASA’s advocacy efforts but also as nationwide protests took place at state capitols across the country. Learn more here
Looking Ahead: Advocacy & Policy Initiatives
Members of SFCASA’s Legislative Advocacy Team, co-chaired by Hannah Stombler-Levine and Laura Belyavski, are now working to arrange its first meeting with Assemblymember Catherine Stefani (D19), the successor to longtime foster youth champion Phil Ting. The goal is to continue advocating for critical funding and policy support that directly benefits foster youth in San Francisco and beyond.
As this marks the beginning of a new two-year legislative cycle, Hannah Stombler-Levine and the SFCASA LAT are closely monitoring the introduction of new bills. While few foster care-specific policies have been introduced so far, there is optimism that Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D55) will reintroduce legislation ensuring foster youth entitled to Social Security disability benefits can retain them rather than having them diverted to offset county costs.
Building on last year’s successful Board of Supervisors addback process and the Mayoral Candidates’ Forum on Foster Care and Juvenile Justice, SFCASA’s LAT—under the leadership of Hannah Stombler-Levine—remains committed to advancing local systems-change initiatives. With the new administration of Mayor Daniel Lurie and recently elected Board of Supervisors members, this advocacy work will be crucial in shaping policies that impact foster and probation youth in San Francisco.
As of 2/27/25, Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D18, Oakland) is championing a budget sign-on letter requesting the $20 million CASA allocation, and SFCASA will be engaging its network—including advocates, board members, and donors—to urge their representatives to support this request.
TIP: January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time to educate the public and raise awareness about human trafficking. Check out this post by advocate Hannah Stombler-Levine to learn 5 Steps to Support the Fight Against Human Trafficking.
