1. ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH: IMPLICATIONS FOR CASA VOLUNTEERS
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2. What is your Origin Story?

3. Advocacy is…
Public support of an idea, plan, or way of doing something.

4. Types of Advocacy
Self-advocacy : taking action to represent and advance your own interests;
Peer advocacy : taking action to represent the rights and interests of someone other than yourself;
Systems advocacy : taking action to influence social, political, and economic systems to bring about change for groups of people; and
Legal advocacy : taking action to use attorneys and the legal or administrative systems to establish or protect legal rights. (Advocacy Training Manual. Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy (1996), p. 1.)

5. Special Education Resources
10 Basic Steps in Special Education
A Guide to Parent's Rights in Special Education
Ohio Department of Education
Response to Intervention

6. Steps of Advocacy
Assess
Plan
Act
Evaluate

7. Components of CASA Advocacy
Clarity of purpose
Clearly stated aims and objectives.
Ensure everyone you work with knows what you can do, and what you cannot do.
Independence
Work independently.  CASAs make challenges on a clients’ behalf when its needed.
Confidentiality
CASAs maintain client confidentiality.
Person Centered Approach
CASAs have a clear way of supporting youth to make sure their rights and interests are protected.
Empowerment
CASAs encourage youth to speak up for themselves, and to take action whenever they can. 
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8. They follow through on commitments and tasks.
Equal opportunity
Ensure that young people are treated fairly regardless of their culture, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, age or religion.
Accountability
They follow through on commitments and tasks.
Accessibility
CASAs provide a means of contact.
Respond to phone calls and s in a timely manner.
CASAs make sure everyone gets a fair portion of their time.
Adapted from:

9. Advocacy Superpowers Communication Resolution and Follow Up
Professionalism
Being Proactive
Relationship Building
Curiosity
Adapted from:
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10. What is your Kryptonite?

11. Thank you!