Training Volunteers and Staff
National CASA requires that all volunteers receive a minimum of 30 hours of pre-service training using the National CASA Volunteer Training Curriculum or its equivalent, as well as 12 hours of in-service training per year. The training program should be reviewed annually and revised based on the CASA/GAL program's assessment of its training needs.
For additional training requirements, please see section 7.C. Volunteer Training in the National CASA Standards for Local CASA/GAL Programs. (PDF).
National CASA Volunteer Training Materials
 Fostering Futures Training Curriculum: A new blended-learning curriculum produced by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association that focuses on improving outcomes for older and emancipating youth (14-21 years of age) served by trained CASA/GAL volunteers.
 National CASA Volunteer Training Curriculum: Download the 2007 revision of the National CASA Association Volunteer Training Curriculum from a set of PDF files. You'll find downloads for the Volunteer Manual, the Facilitator Manual, volunteer resources and materials from the Facilitator Toolkit. Requires login to access.
Independent Study Edition: Gain access to electronic files of the Independent Study Edition (ISE). This is a set of materials designed to help smaller and more rural programs offer training to volunteers on an individual basis. Other programs may also wish to use these materials as “make-up” content if a volunteer misses a chapter during an in-person pre-service training.
Continuing Education Resources: Download tools to help you assess the training needs of your volunteers and generate ideas for providing the required 12 hours of annual in-service learning opportunities. This section includes the Continuing Education Cookbook, additional lesson plans and access to training audio files.
E-Learning Website: Log on to the National CASA Association's online opportunities for continuing education: Education and Youth in Out-of-Home Care and Aging Out: Supporting Youth Transitions into Adulthood.
National CASA Training Calendar: See a list of upcoming trainings and webinars.
National CASA Advocates' Support Library
Staff and Board Training Materials
Strategic Volunteer Retention Training (SVRT) Materials (1.78MB self-extracting file)
Retaining a diverse and effective corps of volunteers is a challenge that every CASA/GAL program faces. Materials from the National CASA Association’s Strategic Volunteer Retention Training (SVRT) workshops are downloadable via this link to be used as reference materials. For more information on scheduling an SVRT in your area, please contact your state CASA/GAL office.
Training of Facilitators Materials: A manual, sample facilitation video and learning style and adult learning principles lessons.
Moving Forward for Children Modules: A set of lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations and handouts for you to customize and use to educate your board and staff. Current modules include: Boards 101, The Board's Role in Fundraising, Succession Planning and Strategic Planning.
Inclusiveness Training Resources: A list of materials provided by National CASA and others, including A World of Difference: Diversity Training Manual and Video
National CASA Training Calendar: See a list of upcoming trainings and webinars.
National CASA Advocates' Support Library
Resources from the Network:
The following articles, authored by Amia Barrows, training coordinator, Newport News CASA, and Jennifer King, program operations director, Georgia CASA, in August 2010, provide insights that strengthen volunteers' courtroom reporting.
Using Courtroom Observation - Learn how CASA trainers and staff can take advantage of courtroom observation, maximizing the experience and helping to increase the volunteers’ understanding of the system prior to and during training.
CASA Court Reports and Checklists - Gain insight on strengthening and maximizing the CASA court report, and find more resources for ensuring that volunteers are well-prepared to advocate for the child’s best interest, both in and out of the classroom.
Podcasts
 So What Is the Curriculum Advisory Committee Anyway?
The Curriculum Advisory Committee, an advisory group of program staff and volunteers, contributes to the creation of National CASA curriculum. To learn more about the work of this group, listen to this National CASA podcast using the audio player below.
Additional Training Resources
Psychotropic Medications: National CASA CEO Michael Piraino discusses their use with Dr. Phil McGraw.
Sample Oath (13 KB PDF)
Two-Part Article: Using Training Evaluations to Motivate Your Volunteers
Cultural Awareness Training Requires login to access.
Hiring a Trainer for Your Conference or Event Requires login to access.
National CASA Advocates' Support Library
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