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.
Continuing Education at Dallas CASA
Dallas CASA In-Person Training
“Lunch and Learn” with The Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence
The team from the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence at Children’s Health, also known as the foster care clinic, will do an overview of the medical and behavioral health services the clinic provides to families with current or previous experience with the child welfare system and also share how they can work with and help CASA staff and advocates to make sure kids are getting the trauma-informed care they need. To learn about the Rees-Jones Center prior to the presentation, visit their website: www.childrens.com/fostercare.
When: Wednesday, March 22, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (pizza will be provided)
Where: Dallas CASA training room
Registration: Register here (registration capped at 50 attendees)
Adolescent Roundtable: Transitioning Out of Foster Care
Are you working with a teen who may be transitioning out of the foster care system? Join Dallas CASA supervisors and volunteer advocate Kim Murphy for a facilitated discussion about working with and advocating for adolescents. Learn about benefits and resources as you are helping to prepare your CASA youths to transition out of care.
When: Tuesday, March 28, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Dallas CASA training room
Registration: Register here (registration capped at 50 attendees)
Continuing Education in the Community
Recognizing the Diversity of Fathers and Families in Child and Family Services
Father-inclusive practice requires recognition of the diversity of fathers and families. This webinar will focus on strategies to effectively serve Black fathers and Latino fathers in father-specific services and alongside mothers in services for children and families. We will address ways to align services with the cultural values and practices of client fathers and families, and ways to promote a culture of inclusion that recognizes fathers’ multiple intersecting identities.
When: Wednesday, March 1, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse
Help protect our most precious community asset – our children. Join us to learn more about recognizing and reporting child abuse.
When: Friday, March 3, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Cost: $25
Registration: Register here
Juvenile Law Basics
An overview of the basics of the Texas juvenile justice system process, from intake to disposition.
When: Tuesday, March 7, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here
Fostering High Expectations & Presumed Competence
During this presentation, parents and caregivers will learn practical approaches to advocating for their student and partnering with the district to unlock learning opportunities. We will look closely at the core components of a learning environment that presumes competence and maintains high expectations for positive academic and social outcomes for all students.
When: Tuesday, March 7, 12:15 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here
New Latinx Liberation: Transforming Theory into Action
This training tackles some of the most impactful social phenomena that are relevant to Latin-American populations (such as machismo and marianismo) and the myriad ways they shape the cultural perspectives of both perpetrators and survivors of interpersonal violence. While acknowledging and exploring the effects of these points of view, this presentation will also consider the complex systems of oppression (and their historical through lines) that perpetuate crime and victimization while stifling efforts to support survivors within these minoritized communities.
When: Friday, March 10, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here
The Unique Dynamics of Co-parenting in Kinship Families
World renowned kinship consultant and trainer, Dr. Joseph Crumbley, will present strategies on shared parenting/co-parenting that provide well-being, safety, and stability for children in kinship families.
When: Tuesday, March 14, 1:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here
Youth Town Hall: A call for mentoring to support our mental wellness and well-being
Mentors have always been assets to young people when they are experiencing periods of stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Inherent in the role of “mentor” is the idea that this person is there for a young person through the good and the bad, but especially in times when life feels overwhelming or hopeless. Join us as we hear directly from young people about their experiences in today’s society, what they need from mentors, and how they remain hopeful despite all the challenges.
When: Thursday, March 16, 12:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here
Dallas CASA Online Learning Center
Dallas CASA advocates have access to online Dallas CASA CE courses and recorded webinars through LearnUpon. To access available courses, advocates first need to email Leslie Ramirez to create an account. During registration, when asked your “role” be sure to select “Sworn Volunteer” to receive access to continuing education courses. These courses are created and intended for Dallas CASA advocates; please do not share with others.
Some of the available courses:
Case Management and Documentation (3 hours)
Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth (2 hours)
Confidentiality: To Share or Not To Share (1.5 hours)
Educational Advocacy (1 hour)
Medical Advocacy (1.5 hours)
Mental Health Advocacy (2 hours)
Sexual Abuse Prevention for Dallas CASA (1.5 hours)
Dallas CASA Town Hall
Were you able to join Dallas CASA CEO Kathleen LaValle and Chief Program Officer Ben Wilkins for the Town Hall in February? Topics covered include current issues impacting Dallas CASA and the child welfare system, policy and standards updates, volunteer survey results, upcoming continuing education and volunteer appreciation events and the 88th Texas legislative session. The hour-long recording is available here. Be sure to record one hour of continuing education credit after you watch. This recorded webinar satisfies your annual requirement for an update on volunteer policies.
The 2022 Dallas CASA ADVOCATE SUMMIT
If you were unable to attend this year’s virtual Summit, you can now access the recordings. There are more than 14 hours of impactful training ready for you to view. All of the Saturday presentations, as well as the CEO kickoff and Dallas CASA Leadership Panel are live on our 2022 Advocate Summit YouTube playlist. Watch, enjoy and record your training hours in Optima.
YouTube: Watch here
The Dallas CASA BIG D READS event
Dallas CASA was honored to be a community partner in this year’s Big D Reads. If you missed the panel discussion on “The Accommodation” moderated by Kathleen LaValle with Jim Schutze, the recording is available to view at any time.
Zoom: Watch here
Continuing Education Independent Learning
Recommended Audio Programs
Click here for: Podcasts
Recommended Films
Click here for: Movies and documentaries
Recommended Television Programs
Click here for: TV and special programs
Recommended Video Programs
Click here for: Webinars available anytime
Racism, Disproportionality and Race Equity Resources
Click here for: Recommended resources
Recommended Reading
In addition to attending classes and online training, advocates are also able to read books related to the work we do to receive continuing education credit hours. Each 50 pages equals 1 CE hour. For example, if you read a book that is 300 pages long, you will receive 6 hours of continuing education credit.
Click here for the: Recommended Reading List
Recommended Publications
Assessing the Well-Being of Children in North Texas (Nov 2021) – 2 hours
DFPS Children Without Placement Report (Sept 2021) – I hour
State of the State: Texas Child Welfare System Trends (July 2021) – 1 hour
Children’s Commission: Parent Resource Guide
Have you wondered what the parents on your case go through or wanted to learn more about the CPS process? Imagine being scared, confused, embarrassed or angry and having to navigate the CPS and legal process. Take a glimpse into the role of a parent going through this process and receive 2.5 continuing education hours for self study.
Download Parent Resource Guide: English or Spanish
Texas CASA Health Advocacy Guide
This 41-page guide created by Texas CASA provides volunteers with the most up-to-date resources and information in order to advocate for the best possible medical and mental healthcare for children they serve.
View: Click here
