Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs

The California Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association , founded in 1987, is part of a national volunteer movement supporting the needs and well-being of children and youth in the dependency and juvenile justice systems of the Superior Court. Today, CASA is one of the largest volunteer opportunities in the country, with more than 900 individual CASA programs nationwide in 49 states; California CASA is one of the most successful, with a diverse staff of 14, and a 20-member Board of Directors who represent all areas of the state. Our mission, vision, and values are articulated here . For further information about our programs and impact, see our FY2024-2025 Impact Report . CA CASA’s network serves 53 of the state’s 58 counties, providing transformative advocacy and support for children and youth in CA’s dependency and juvenile justice systems. There are some 60,000 children and youth in the systems, and of these, 7,600 CASA volunteers serve nearly 11,000 children, but CA CASA is committed to increasing the number served and ensuring program practices that support the unique needs of each child. Our ambitious long-term strategic goal is that one day, every CA child who needs a CASA volunteer will have one. In 2022, the CA Legislature awarded a three-year appropriation of $60,000,000 to CA CASA, with 80% of funding going to the 44 local CASA programs that comprise the state’s network; 20% supported shared services coordinated by CA CASA. In 2026, a one-year appropriation of $20,000,000 was awarded. CA CASA is now engaged in a major effort to secure more permanent State funding; this new position of Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs was established in 2026 in order to support that effort.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The full-time Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs (DPLA) reports to the Chief Program Officer (CPO), but also works in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other senior staff to advance CA CASA’s legislative, public policy, and government relations priorities. DPLA leads statewide advocacy, policy development, government relations, research initiatives, and systems-change efforts and collaborates with local CASA programs, contract lobbyists, legislators, judicial leaders, state agencies, philanthropic partners, and allied organizations. The DPLA strengthens statewide partnerships, supports Board policy leadership, and elevates the voices of local CASA programs, CASA volunteers, and youth to inform and influence public policy. The DPLA works across departments to align CA CASA’s program expertise, statewide network, research, communications, philanthropic connections, and public policy priorities into a coordinated advocacy strategy that strengthens systems serving children and youth. By translating field experience, data, and emerging policy issues into actionable legislative strategies, the DPLA helps CA CASA influence public policy and secure public investment that will improve outcomes for the most vulnerable children and families throughout CA. As the operational leader of CA CASA’s legislative and public policy infrastructure, the DPLA ensures advocacy, research, and statewide engagement efforts are strategic, coordinated, and responsive while supporting the CEO, who serves as CA CASA’s primary legislative advocate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Organizational Strategy

• Reporting to the CPO, the DPLA is a strategic advisor to the CEO on legislative, public policy, and government affairs matters affecting CA CASA, its statewide network, and children and youth in the court’s dependency and juvenile justice systems. The DPLA supports the CEO in identifying long-term public policy opportunities that advance the mission, strengthen the statewide network, and improve outcomes for children and youth.
• Leads and actively manages day-to-day government affairs functions, i.e. legislative bill tracking, advocacy logistics, legislative and policy records, and operational coordination. Partners with the CEO and CPO to develop and implement CA CASA’s annual legislative agenda, public policy priorities, and state budget advocacy strategy.
• Develops and maintains the annual legislative advocacy calendar, ensuring timely coordination of budget advocacy, bill tracking, committee meetings, legislative deadlines, advocacy campaigns, reports, and stakeholder communications.
• Under the direction of the CPO, advises the CEO and Board of Directors (BOD) on emerging legislative, regulatory, and public policy issues and recommends strategic responses. Collaborates with the Executive Leadership Team to ensure policy priorities that support CA CASA’s Strategic Plan, organizational goals, and statewide initiatives. Works across departments to integrate legislative advocacy, research, communications, philanthropy, and program expertise into a unified organizational strategy.
• Represents the CEO and CA CASA in statewide meetings, workgroups, and strategic partnerships as assigned.

Legislative Affairs and Government Relations

• Coordinates advocacy efforts to secure ongoing state appropriations, public investments, and policy initiatives. Monitors implementation of newly enacted legislation and identifies opportunities for legislative or administrative improvements. Tracks state legislation, budget proposals, regulations, and administrative actions affecting children, youth, and CASA programs.
• In partnership with the CEO and CPO, contract lobbyists, and key stakeholders, coordinates CA CASA’s annual state budget request and legislative funding strategy, legislative positions, bill sponsorships, coalition sign-on letters, support and opposition positions, and legislative tracking processes. Prepares legislative testimony, budget proposals, coalition letters, briefing materials, and advocacy campaigns supporting CA CASA’s policy priorities.
• Supports the CEO in advancing legislative and budget advocacy with the Governor’s Office, Legislature, Judicial Council, CA Department of Social Services (CDSS), Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and other agencies.
• Prepares legislative briefings, talking points, background materials, policy analyses, testimony, and advocacy materials for the CEO and BOD.
• Serves as primary staff liaison to contract lobbying firm in Sacramento, ensuring coordinated strategy and timely follow-up.

Legislative Advocacy and Policy Committee of the Board of Directors

• Is the primary staff liaison to the Board Committee; partners with the CEO, CPO, and Committee Chair to develop annual Committee workplans aligned with the CA CASA Strategic Plan. Coordinates Committee meetings, agendas, materials, presentations, written minutes/records, and follow-up actions. Facilitates development and annual review of Legislative Platforms, Policy Agendas, and Board-approved policy position statements.
• Ensures effective communication regarding legislative priorities and advocacy activities between the Board and staff and local CASA programs’ Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATs).
• Prepares policy recommendations; issues briefs, legislative analyses, and background materials for committee review; as appropriate, coordinates Committee review of proposed legislation, budget priorities, and public policy positions prior to Board action. Provides regular progress reports to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.

Data and Impact Strategy

• Guides statewide data collection, evaluation, and outcomes strategies; leverages this data, evaluation findings, and program outcomes to strengthen decision-making and identify trends; and uses it to demonstrate impact, inform strategic investments and funding decisions, and communicate CA CASA’s statewide impact.
• Uses program data to support impact storytelling, grant reporting, and organizational communications, and help inform legislative priorities, public policy recommendations, and systems-change initiatives. Ensures that lessons learned from local CASA programs are translated into statewide policy recommendations that strengthen outcomes for children and youth.

Public Policy and Research

• Researches emerging child welfare, juvenile justice, education, behavioral health, and related policy issues; and writes policy briefs, white papers, and reports to address CA CASA organizational priorities.
• Coordinates statewide policy research initiatives and evaluation efforts; develops annual policy reports and findings for policymakers and stakeholders that elevate the voices of local CASA programs, CASA volunteers, and children and youth.
• Develops annual statewide policy recommendations informed by network experience/data. Supports development of CA CASA policy position statements; translates complex legislation and policy issues into practical guidance for local programs.
• Monitors implementation of state policies across CA CASA’s network and identifies trends, challenges, and opportunities to influence future legislative and administrative improvements.

Network Engagement and Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATs)

• Fosters regional collaboration among local CASA programs to strengthen grassroots advocacy efforts. Coordinates statewide LATs and supports regional advocacy. Develops training for local EDs/CEOs, Board members, CASA volunteers, and former foster youth. Leads legislative workshop processes through which each local CASA program surfaces bill ideas for the coming year to contribute to CA CASA’s annual legislative agenda.
• Ensures local CASA program experiences inform statewide policy priorities and works to expand the LAT initiative network-wide with EDs/CEOs, volunteers, Board members, and former foster youth. Coordinates statewide policy meetings and communications. Organizes and hosts a monthly Legislative Advocacy Webinar for the network, providing legislative updates, calls to action, and advocacy training.
• Develops advocacy resources and messaging for local program EDs/CEOs, Board members, CASA volunteers, and youth to effectively engage with their elected officials. Create toolkits, action alerts, legislative updates, and educational resources.
• Plans and coordinates annual CASA Day at the Capitol, an annual statewide legislative advocacy event including targeted meetings with legislators on key committees and active participation by local CASA programs.
• Builds and manages a statewide digital advocacy tool that enables local programs to rapidly activate advocates to contact legislators at key moments of legislative opportunity.
• Facilitates the CASA State Legislative Committee, comprised of network members who review proposed legislation and recommend official annual positions on bills (distinct from the Board Legislative Advocacy and Public Policy Committee).

Strategic Partnerships

• Builds and maintains strategic relationships with statewide legislative offices, executive branch agencies, judicial leaders, statewide associations, advocacy coalitions, philanthropic partners, and the National CASA/GAL Association.
• Cultivates relationships with legislative staff, consultants, and key state agency personnel to advance CA CASA’s policy priorities. Represents CA CASA in statewide policy coalitions, advisory committees, workgroups, and strategic partnerships as assigned by the CEO and CPO.
• Identifies opportunities to strengthen CA CASA’s leadership, visibility, and influence within CA’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Social Work, Nonprofit Management, or related field. Master’s degree in one of these areas a plus.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, legislative affairs, government relations, advocacy, nonprofit management, or related fields.
• Demonstrated knowledge of CA’s legislative process and CA’s state government. Experience supporting legislative advocacy campaigns or statewide initiatives.
• Exceptional writing, research, policy analysis, and communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills and experience developing policy briefs, reports, or legislative materials.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse public and private sector stakeholders.
• Track record of working effectively with executive leaders, governing boards, public officials, and diverse stakeholders while exercising sound judgment and political discretion.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout CA, particularly to Sacramento. (Required: Resides in the greater Sacramento area.)
• Preferred: Experience working with nonprofit associations or statewide membership organizations; and/or with child welfare, juvenile justice, dependency courts, education, behavioral health, or related systems.
• Preferred: Knowledge of CA CASA programs and the dependency/juvenile justice court systems.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• CA CASA operates remotely, with staff members working from different areas throughout CA. There is no permanent physical office (office equipment provided). We are seeking a candidate who resides in the Sacramento area. We have a collaborative, mission-driven, and fast-paced environment that values innovation, partnership, collaboration, responsiveness, and continuous learning. This position requires flexibility, strategic thinking, relationship-building, and the ability to navigate complex organizational and systems dynamics with professionalism and diplomacy.
• A competitive compensation package is offered, with a salary in the range of $90,000 – $140,000 depending on experience, professional qualifications, and education.
• DPLA will be expected to attend meetings with staff, Board members, Legislators, CASA EDs/CEOS, and other stakeholders in various locations in Sacramento and around CA, as well as participate in various business and social events. There will be occasional out-of-town overnight travel.
• The successful candidate will be required to pass background checks in compliance with CA Rule of Court 5.655. Must have a valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance is required. Must have a satisfactory driving record and regular access to a vehicle for meetings and activities.
• DPLA will engage in intermittent physical activities, including bending, reaching, sitting, and walking, during working hours. It is anticipated the person may spend many hours each day seated at their home office computer. Reasonable accommodation is offered to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.
• Employee Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, 403(b) Retirement Plan, 403(b) Employer Match, Flexible Spending Account (Health and Dependent Care), Vacation/Personal Days, and Paid Sick Time.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter. No phone calls please.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

California CASA is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace. CA CASA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.