The Honorable Judge Juan Ulloa Scholarship honors the legacy of a visionary leader whose commitment to justice and the well-being of foster children helped lay the foundation for CASA of Imperial County.
Judge Ulloa was instrumental in bringing the CASA program to fruition locally. In 1994, as a newly elected judge for the Superior Court of Imperial County, he recognized the need for independent, court-appointed advocates to support abused and neglected children navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. His leadership was critical to ensuring that foster children had consistent, dedicated voices in court—voices that would advocate for their safety, stability, and permanency.
Judge Ulloa played a central role in case assignment, program development, and fostering collaboration among juvenile court stakeholders. His belief that every child deserves to be heard and to thrive continues to guide CASA’s work today. The scholarship named in his honor supports the educational goals of local foster youth, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and build a brighter future—just as Judge Ulloa envisioned.
Judge Ulloa earned his Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law in 1975 and has served in the Imperial County legal system for over four decades, including terms as Presiding Judge and service as a pro tem judge for the Quechan Tribal Court. His legacy of service, compassion, and advocacy lives on through this scholarship and the lives it helps transform.
Write a 350-750-word essay explaining the below topics.
Current or former foster youth enrolled as high school senior or already attending a community or 4-year college. In order to receive scholarship funds, you must provide us with an official letter of enrollment from your school.
An internal committee will evaluate the applications and notify the winners via email. Awards will be distributed to each student by an assigned date.
