When CASA of Santa Cruz County stepped into truancy advocacy, there was no roadmap, only a shared commitment to supporting youth and families who needed support in a new and complex space. We were so grateful that several Advocates were willing to explore the unknown with us, including CASA Advocate Alan.
Assigned in June 2025, at the very start of the newly formed Santa Cruz County Truancy Court, Alan entered a case that would challenge his idea of Advocacy based on his previous service when he spent several hours a week working directly with a youth. As Alan’s Advocate Supervisor shared, this first case highlighted something we came to see across many truancy cases. In truancy matters, parents often need someone to listen. By the time families enter the court process, they feel like they have exhausted every avenue of communication.
From the beginning, Alan worked to build trust with the youth’s mother, meeting regularly and creating a space where she felt heard rather than judged. Over time, that trust became the foundation for progress. The youth, who experienced severe anxiety and rarely left his room, was only able to meet Alan in person once. Therefore, Alan adjusted his expectations for the role and began to understand that meaningful advocacy in this case meant meeting the family where they were and focusing on what was possible to achieve.
Drawing on his background working for the County, Alan helped guide the mother through complex systems, supporting her in meetings, and assisting with referrals, including to the San Andreas Regional Center. He helped ensure applications were completed and services were within reach.
Advocating for What Works
One of the most critical aspects of Alan’s advocacy was helping define what success should look like for this youth.
Early on, it became clear that the traditional in-person school setting was not realistic. Alan supported the mother's choice for an online school alternative with a structured plan, something that aligned with the youth’s needs while still supporting educational progress. As challenges arose, Alan remained steady. When there were concerns about attendance or whether the youth could remain in the program, he spoke up, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and recognizing the progress being made. He also worked closely with school staff to ensure that the youth’s efforts, particularly completing assignments and building a connection with a teacher, were recognized as meaningful engagement. That relationship with a teacher became a turning point.
A Meaningful Outcome
By the end of the year, the youth was consistently participating in his online program, completing work, and even attended in person for final exams. With this progress, the truancy case was successfully closed after nine months.
For Alan, the experience underscored the importance of persistence and perspective. He reflected on the role as one of both support and advocacy, helping the mother navigate expectations while ensuring the youth’s needs remained at the center of every conversation. By advocating for realistic goals and appropriate accommodations, Alan helped create space for success.
While the case has officially closed, Alan’s commitment has not. He continues to stay connected, supporting the family as they pursue additional services that could further improve the youth’s long-term well-being.
This case marked CASA of Santa Cruz County’s first step into truancy advocacy, and it has already shaped how we understand this work and what is possible. Alan’s dedication, compassion, and willingness to step into something entirely new made this milestone possible and set the foundation for the work ahead.
