Continuing Education

In order to keep current with issues that relate to the volunteer role, our volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education per year. For new volunteers, continuing education hours are prorated by the percentage of the year the advocate was a volunteer. The requirement applies to all volunteers who have been sworn and not discharged, regardless of whether they are assigned to a case.

To encourage a varied learning experience, no more than four (4) hours of continuing education credit should be completed by (1) reading books or articles or (2) for scripted tv series or films that provide relevant insight or perspective. There is no limitation on other independent study options, such as documentary series or films, recorded webinars, or podcasts intended to be educational.

Dallas CASA Live Training

Beyond the Checklist: Seeing What Others MissAdvocating for Adolescents: Overview

Child advocacy is about more than completing required visits and documenting observations. It’s about developing the ability to recognize subtle cues, ask meaningful questions, and identify needs that may otherwise go unnoticed. In this interactive Lunch & Learn, participants will explore practical strategies for moving beyond task completion to more intentional, insightful advocacy that can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.

When: Tuesday, August 18, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Dallas CASA
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

Advocating for Adolescents: Overview

Whether you are new to working with teens in foster care, seeking a refresher, or looking to strengthen your advocacy skills, this training provides a practical overview of the resources and supports available to help adolescents prepare for independent living.
Presented by Emily Dang, Dallas CASA Supervisor and Youth Independence Support Specialist, this session highlights key programs and benefits available to transition-age youth, including the Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program, transition centers, Extended Foster Care, and Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Programs. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of these resources and learn how to effectively advocate for youth as they navigate the transition into adulthood.

When: Wednesday, August 26, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Dallas CASA
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

Continuing Education in the Community

Trusted Adults iGuardian Training

This presentation takes an honest and thorough approach to the difficult topic of online CSEA. It includes an in-depth overview where HSI special agents describe the threats and trends they see in their investigations. They discuss real world case examples using national and local investigations to help attendees better understand how children and teens can be victimized online. This presentation also features public service announcements from important partners such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Thorn and ChildFund International.

When: Wednesday, August 5, 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

Addressing Human Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation

Human trafficking is an industry that generates billions of dollars annually, and it exploits some of the most vulnerable people in our society. And while this problem feels international in its scope, it is very much a local issue. In fact, it is happening in our community right now. Refuge for Women Chicago is part of one of the nation’s largest multi-site networks of aftercare programs for survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation. Join us to learn what human trafficking is and isn’t, how it shows up in our communities, and practical steps anyone can take to prevent exploitation and support survivors.

When: Tuesday, August 11, 12:00 –1:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

How Teams Get Stuck: Navigating Relationship Skills and Real-Life

In this practical and compassionate webinar, The Dibble Institute and Dovetail Learning will explore what happens when caring people get stuck. Participants will be introduced to Dovetail’s concept of Protective Patterns—common ways people react when they feel overwhelmed, vulnerable, or under pressure—and will consider how those patterns affect communication, conflict, and connection with colleagues, partners, and the young people they serve. Together, we’ll explore how curiosity can help interrupt unhelpful patterns and create more space for resilience, reflection, and repair. Participants will leave with practical tools they can use right away to strengthen relationships, navigate difficult moments, and support healthier interactions in their work and lives.

When: Thursday, August 12, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior

This training is a trauma informed, evidence-based training from Kristi House that helps professionals and caregivers understand, identify, and respond appropriately to sexual behaviors in children and youth. Drawing from materials developed by the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth, the training explains sex play, versus problematic sexual behaviors, the impact of development, trauma, technology, and pornography, and emphasizes respectful, non stigmatizing language and family centered care.

When: Thursday, August 20, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

Beyond Reactivity: Mindful Boundaries, Nervous System Regulation, and the Practice of Presence with Cynthia Garner

Whether we are supporting clients, leading teams, teaching, or caring for others, our own nervous system is one of our most powerful professional assets. In moments of stress, overwhelm, crisis, and emotional upheaval, our capacity to pause, notice reactivity, and stabilize our attention in the present moment shapes every interaction. This one-hour experiential session explores mindful boundaries as an embodied attentional practice for cultivating greater awareness, discernment, and choice. Through trauma-sensitive mindfulness, gentle movement, and reflective inquiry, we will explore how reactivity emerges in body and mind and how simple practices can help us return to presence.

When: Thursday, August 20, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

The Power of Presence

This webinar will focus on the vital role of supportive relationships within early-childhood education and interventions. Participants will explore the ways in which relationship-based approaches promote emotional regulation, secure attachment, and healthy brain development. Learners will increase their understanding of the many ways in which fostering trusting and reflective relationships, empower parents to build strong parent–child bonds. These supportive connections contribute to increased parental confidence, reduced stress, and help buffer long-term consequences of adverse experiences.

When: Tuesday, August 25, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $15
Registration: Register here

Hooked on a Feeling: Helping Children Understand Emotions

This training will assist attendees in learning about the emotions children experience, better understand the impact of trauma in regard to regulating emotions and learn strategies to help children better recognize and regulate emotions.

When: Tuesday, August 25, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

SSCC Updates, Alternative Response is Here and Promoting Successful Reunification

The North Texas Foster Care Consortium is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to improving the well-being of children who are in out-of-home care and at risk of removal. Hear from several different stakeholders in the community on Community-Based Care updates, Alternative response, and a panel discussion on promoting successful reunification.

When: Thursday, August 27, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

Dallas CASA Recorded Webinars

Recent Dallas CASA continuing education courses online have been posted to YouTube and are available for viewing at any time.