Workshops

More than 60 workshops presented by leaders in their fields will help you take your advocacy to new heights! Attend any workshop of your choice; pre-registration for workshop sessions is not required (except National CASA Association Institutes). However, individual sessions may have a limit on the number of attendees.

Five designated workshop tracks will help you plan your schedule:

• Volunteer Management—New this year!
• Technology Tools—New this year
• Youth Voice
• Fundraising
• Inclusion and Cultural Competency

Download a PDF of the conference program (1.94 MB).

View the conference schedule overview.

Friday, April 16

9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.  National CASA Association Institutes

Pre-registration is required and attendance is limited! 

• Drugs in Your Community You Should Know About *Expanded and back by popular demand!
• Knowing Who You Are (Please note: This is a two-day session, beginning Thursday, April 15, 9 a.m.) 
• Leading in Turbulent Times
• New Director Orientation
• Beyond the Basics: Engaging Volunteers in the 21st Century

Go to the Association Institute page for a full description of sessions.

6:00–7:30 p.m.            Welcome Reception

Open to all conference attendees to kick-off the conference 

Saturday, April 17

8:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.     Learning Intensives

Learning Intensives are designed to provide a more in-depth exploration and skill building opportunities on unique topics. There sessions are open to all conference participants and pre-registration is not required. 

• The Texas Model for Promoting Equity Through Partnerships and Anti-Racist Practice: Collaborative Partnership Between Department of Family & Protective Service, Texas CASA and The People’s Institute
• Amp It Up! Stregthening Youth Voices in Planning for Permanence
• Resource Development
• Casebuilding Through the Court Process—Expanded and back by popular demand!

 

10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.     Networking and Exhibitor Break

 

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.       Opening Luncheon with Judge Glenda Hatchett

 

1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.         Workshop Session A and Networking Opportunities

• Telling the CASA Story
• Knowing Who You Are: A Resource for Incorporating Racial/Ethnic Identity Development into Daily CASA/GAL Practice
• The Real Word: Foster Youth Speak Out About What It’s Really Like to Live in the Foster Care System
• Design A Winning Team—CASA Quarterback Style!
• Judges' Panel
• Drugs in Your Community You Should Know About
• Creative Visualization: Imagination as a Tool for Advocacy
• Working with Older Youth in Foster Care: What You Need to Know About the Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program

3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.         Workshop Session B and Networking Opportunities

• Greek Philanthropy: Partnerships with Fraternaties and Sororities
• The Indian Child Welfare Act: Partnering for Permanency
• Atlanta Youth Panel
• Strategic Technology Planning for Nonprofits: How to Know What You Have and Plan for What You Need
• Using Americorps VISTA to Build Development and Volunteer Capacity in your CASA Program
• Tools for Effective Advocacy for Foster Care Children on Psychotropic Medications
• The Role of CASA Volunteers in Cases Involving Immigrant Families
• Behind the scenes with the National CASA Grants Department
• Networking Opportunity: Fostering Connections to Success Act Roundtable 
• Recruiting Tactics: Are You Buying, Begging, Bugging or Building?

7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.              Recognition Banquet

Sunday, April 18

8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.               General Session: Supporting Older Youth

10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.           Workshop Session C and Networking Opportunities

• Event Speed Dating
• Inclusion Award Winner Workshop
• Youth Panel Discussion Opportunity
• Leveraging Technology to Advance Your Training Initiatives
• The ABSs of Creative Volunteer Retention
• New Trends and Approaches to PR and Media, and How to Take Advantage of Them
• Using Crayons and Markers to Communicate with Your CASA Child
• CASA Advocacy in Specialized Courts to Meet the Needs of Infants and Toddlers
• How CASA Volunteer Can Partner with Parents to Achieve Better Outcomes for Children
• Networking Opportunity: Foster Youth Panel

11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.            State of CASA Luncheon

1:15 p.m.–2:00 p.m.              Networking and Exhibitor Break

2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.              Workshop Session D and Networking Opportunities

• Corporate Partnerships
• Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth in Out of Home Care, Part One
• Youth Engagement
• Social Networking: Connecting Hearts and Minds
• Empowering and Retaining Volunteers Through Training
• Educational Advocacy
• Facilitating the Inclusion of Stakeholders in CASA Programs
• Promising Practices Spotlight Workshop
• Survey Design for CASA/GAL Programs
• Networking Opportunity: Rural Programs

4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.              Workshop Session E and Networking Opportunities

• Utilizing Web-Based Applications for Improved Volunteer Management and Advocacy
• Online Fundraising
• Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth in Out of Home Care, Part Two
• Adoption for Older Youth: “He’s 17, Why Bother?”
• From Pitiful to Outstanding: A Small Nonprofits Technology Journey
• Volunteer Stories
• National Quality Improvement Center for Child Representation in Child Welfare Cases—Finding What Works for Children
• Action for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
• Advocating for Children Being Raised by Relatives: Laws, Programs, Resources and Strategies
• Creating an Ambassador Program
• Networking Opportunity: Urban Initiative

Monday, April 19

8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.        Exhibit Hall Open

9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.        Workshop Session F and Networking Opportunities

• Courts Catalyzing change: Tools to Reduce Disproportionality and Disparity from the Bench
• Let’s Get it Done! The Real Work of Achieving Permanency for Teens
• National CASA and Social Solutions: Efforts to Outcomes for CASA
• 9 1/2 Legal Issues Every Manager of Volunteer Resources Should Have On Their Radar
• Developing a Volunteer-based CASA Family Connections Program
• Little Fish in a Big Pond—A CASA Program Working in an Umbrella Agency
• Crisis communications: What to do when nightmares come true
• A Roadmap for the Future: Reaching Your Goals Without Driving Yourself Crazy
• Networking Opportunity: Grant Writing

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.              Closing Session

 *Please note: National CASA reserves the right to change speakers or modify program content. Updates will be posted on this website.