THE NATIONAL CASA PRE-SERVICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING Lift up a child's voice A child's life.™ THE NATIONAL CASA PRE-SERVICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Chapter 1: The CASA/GAL Volunteer Role Pre-Work Recap, Chapter Overview & Competencies The Volunteer Role The Child Welfare System Working a Case Chapter Wrap-Up: Review & Evaluation Chapter 2: Pre-Work 2

Chapter 1: Pre-Work Read the “CASA/GAL Volunteer Job Description” provided by the facilitator. Read “Developing Competencies for CASA/GAL Volunteer Work” checklist, and mark the areas that are your strengths and the areas that you want to work on. Read the “Child Welfare History” handout and write down any questions you have. Read the “Alphabet Soup” list of acronyms used by your local CASA/GAL program and court system. Read the “Bleux Case File” and write a one-to-two-paragraph case history and a few questions. 3

Chapter 1: Pre-Work This chapter introduces you to your fellow training participants and provides an overview of information about the CASA/GAL volunteer role and the child welfare system. 4

Chapter 1: Chapter Overview and Competencies Competency Category Knowledge, Skills & Attributes Development in Chapter 1 CASA/GAL Role Knows how to define the CASA/GAL volunteer role Understands the function of a CASA/GAL report to the Court Understands the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to succeed as a CASA/GAL volunteer Foundation of Knowledge Understands the nature and scope of the roles of others (e.g., caseworkers, attorneys, therapists, etc.) Understands the nature and scope of the child welfare system Knows the importance of the federal laws that impacts his/her advocacy Understands a child’s journey through the child welfare system 5

Chapter 1: The CASA/GAL Volunteer Role Pre-Work Recap, Chapter Overview & Competencies The Volunteer Role The Child Welfare System Working a Case Chapter Wrap-Up: Review & Evaluation Chapter 2: Pre-Work 6

Introductions and Expectations Chapter 1: The CASA/GAL Volunteer Role 1A Introductions and Expectations 1B 7

Making a Lifelong Difference Video Chapter 1: The National CASA Association Mission 1B The mission of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, together with its state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. Making a Lifelong Difference Video 8

Chapter 1: [Your Program’s] Mission 1B 9

Information Gathering Chapter 1: Key Components of The Volunteer Role 1C Information Gathering Facilitation Advocacy Monitoring 10

Chapter 1: Impact of CASA/GAL Role: Bleux Case 10 days ago: Deshawn Bleux, a 2-month-old child who appeared to show symptoms of shaken baby syndrome, is admitted to the hospital. Father took child to the hospital when he could not be woken for his regular 10 pm feeding. 8 days ago: Child remains in the hospital with an injury more severe than previously thought. 11

Chapter 1: Impact of CASA/GAL Role: Bleux Case 6 days ago: Deshawn to be released from the hospital and placed in foster care. Father, Miles Bleux, denies shaking the child. 5 days ago: Mother refused to say anything other than she was not home at the time of the incident. 12

Required Levels of Competencies for Chapter 1: Competencies for Volunteer Advocates 1C 1D CASA/GAL Role Communication Cultural Competence Sound Judgment Initiative Foundations of Knowledge Self-Care Required Levels of Competencies for CASA/GAL Role 13

Parameters of CASA/GAL Volunteer Relationships Chapter 1: Competencies for Volunteer Advocates 1E Parameters of CASA/GAL Volunteer Relationships Volunteer-Child Relationship Dilemmas 14

Chapter 1: The CASA/GAL Volunteer Role Pre-Work Recap, Chapter Overview & Competencies The Volunteer Role The Child Welfare System Working a Case Chapter Wrap-Up: Review & Evaluation Chapter 2: Pre-Work 15

Chapter 1: Key Laws 1F 1974 1978 1980 1997 1999 2008 Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act Indian Child Welfare Act Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act Adoption and Safe Families Act Foster Care Independence Act Fostering Connections to Success & Increasing Adoptions Act 16

Chapter 1: Local Child Welfare Chart [if you have one] Introduction to the Child Welfare System Child Welfare Chart 17

Chapter 1: Who Participates in a Case? 1G [Note: Insert/change terms to reflect local terminology] The Child CASA/GAL Volunteer Attorney for the CASA/GAL Program or Child Parents/Caretakers Named in the Petition Attorney for the Parent/Caretaker Child Protection Agency Caseworker Attorney for the Child Protection Agency, County or State Indian Child’s Tribe Judge PARTICIPATES 18

Chapter 1: The CASA/GAL Volunteer Role Pre-Work Recap, Chapter Overview & Competencies The Voluntee r Role The Child Welfare System Working a Case Chapter Wrap-Up: Review & Evaluation Chapter 2: Pre-Work 19

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Court Report Most essential aspect of your work The vehicle you use to present information you have gathered Visible documentation of your involvement in the case Judges rely on these reports to make informed decisions All CASA/GAL programs require submittal of court reports 20

Chapter 1: Review In this chapter, you learned about: The mission of National CASA Association How CASA/GAL makes a difference in the life of abused children The CASA/GAL volunteer role and tasks The competencies required for the role and their levels The child welfare laws How the child welfare and court system work together The components of the court reports 21

Chapter 1: Evaluation Please fill out the Chapter 1 volunteer training evaluation and give to the facilitator. 22

Chapter 1: Resources Casey Family Programs Child Welfare Chart Alphabet Soup Handout  Making a Lifelong Difference Video 23

Chapter 2: Pre-Work Read through the pre-work: How Children Grow and Develop Children’s Needs Importance of Attachment in Child Development Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect State Definition of Abuse and Mandatory Reporting Laws Risk Factors for Child Abuse and Neglect Court Report 24