FY14 CASA College Catalog

Introduction

Texas CASA FY2014 Training Catalog

T

exas CASA is pleased to announce the creation of CASA College. We are committed now, more than ever to offering first-class educational opportunities in the form of trainings, presentations, conferences, elearning, and webinars.

Our trainings are designed to support Texas CASA’s vision: A CASA volunteer for every child who needs one. Everything that CASA College offers will reflect our 2013 conference theme: “Fierce Advocacy – the CASA Way.” This means that we will not settle for less than the best for the children in the child protection system.

In this catalog you will find the trainings we are offering in FY14 for staff, board members, volunteers and stakeholders. For webinar, conference information and additional trainings and events, please check our website, www.TexasCASA.org, regularly for updates.

Overview of the trainings Texas CASA will offer in FY14 on the topics of:   

Advocacy Program Administration Governance

Texas CASA 1501 West Anderson Lane Austin, Texas 78757 (512) 473-2627 www.TexasCASA.org

Event registration is now open. For instructions on how to access registration, see the back of this catalog. Please register early as many of these trainings will reach capacity quickly. CEU’s will be available for some of the sessions and you will receive this information when you register. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Leslie Palmer at lpalmer@texascasa.org.

Thank you so much for your contribution to CASA, and thank you for joining us on our journey to “Fierce Advocacy – the CASA Way!” - The Training Team

Table of Contents

Page 1

Advocacy

Table of Contents

Mastering the Art of Pre-Service Facilitation

Advocacy Mastering the Art of Pre-Service Facilitation…………………Page 1

Intended audience: New and tenured CASA trainers, CASA Supervisors and Advocacy Coordinators who assist with volunteer pre-service training

Mastering the Art of Case Advocacy………………………….Page 2

Prerequisites: None

E-learning Core Advocacy Skills Training (CAST)….……….Page 3 Advanced Specialized Advocacy……………………………...Page 4 Permanency Values Training………………………………….Page 5 Race: the Power of an Illusion………………………………...Page 6 Dialogue: Racism……………………………………………….Page 7 Training of Facilitators for Educational Advocacy Toolkit…..Page 8

Program Administration New Executive Director Training Part I……………………….Page 9 New Executive Director Training Part II……………………..Page 10 Advanced Executive Director and Program Director Development…………………………………………………...Page 11

Governance Local Board Development Training (Mandatory)…………..Page 12

Dates of training: Jan. 14-15, 2014; *July 15-16, 2014 *July training will take place in the days before the TOF for Educational Advocacy Toolkit for your scheduling convenience. See page 8 for more information.

Description: This interactive two-day training will prepare CASA staff to effectively deliver pre-service training for their new volunteers. The first day will focus on developing facilitation skills and understanding adult learning principles. The second day will cover specific content in the pre-service facilitation curriculum.

Hours: 14 Registration: $25 per person per day ($50 total) Registration cost covers training, training resources, lunch and snacks ONLY. Texas CASA has negotiated a block of rooms at the Springhill Suites for a special rate of $114 a night for two double beds or one king bed. Participants may either take advantage of the room block up until 2-3 weeks before day of arrival or make arrangements for their own lodging.

Location: Fickett Center, Austin Capacity: 30

Advocacy

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Advocacy

Mastering the Art of Case Advocacy

E-learning Core Advocacy Skills Training (CAST)

Intended audience: New and tenured Case Supervisors, Advocacy Coordinators and Program Directors

Intended audience: New and tenured Case Supervisors, Advocacy Coordinators, Program Directors and CASA volunteers

Prerequisites: All participants who have been with CASA less than two years are required to complete the new Texas CASA e-learning Core Advocacy Skills training (see page 3).

Dates of training: Feb. 19-20, 2014; May 6-7, 2014

Prerequisites: None Dates of training: Available 24/7 at www.TexasCASA.org

Hours: 14

Description: This interactive e-learning course will take you through the Child Protective Services System in Texas. The subjects covered range from when a child comes to the attention of CPS to the Trial on Merits and challenges of transitioning youth. The six modules are self-paced and are estimated to take 45 minutes to an hour each. There is a quiz at the end of each module. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and a brief follow-up survey after they have completed the training.

Registration: $25 per person per day ($50 total)

Hours: 6

Registration cost covers training, training resources, lunch and snacks ONLY. Texas CASA has negotiated a block of rooms at the Springhill Suites for a special rate of $114 a night for two double beds or one king bed. Participants may either take advantage of the room block up until 2-3 weeks before day of arrival or make arrangements for their own lodging.

Registration: No cost

Description: Because case supervisors are the direct report for volunteers, they have a special opportunity to impact volunteer retention and quality of advocacy. This training will focus on strategies to support, develop, engage and retain volunteers by using a “coaching� method. It will also cover best practices and innovative approaches to handling situations that arise during a case.

Location: Fickett Center, Austin Capacity: 40

Location: Online at www.TexasCASA.org

Advocacy

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Advocacy

Advanced Specialized Advocacy

Permanency Values Training

Intended audience: Case Supervisors, Advocacy Coordinators, Program Directors and Trainers

Intended audience: All CASA staff, volunteers, board members and community stakeholders

Prerequisites: All participants must either have completed Mastering the Art of Case Advocacy or its past equivalent, Core Advocacy Skills Training. Participants must also complete the Texas CASA e-learning Core Advocacy Skills training (see page 3).

Prerequisites: None

Dates of training: June 24, 2014 Description: Outcome studies of youth who have aged out of the system illustrate a strong need for fierce advocates for children in PMC. Too often, volunteer advocates are prepared from preservice training for TMC case advocacy, but not for PMC cases. In this training, Texas CASA will facilitate sharing and development of advocacy strategies, activities and volunteer training and engagement for PMC cases. It will focus on ways to address child well-being with continued urgent work toward permanency for PMC cases.

Hours: 7 Registration: $25 per person Registration cost covers training, training resources, lunch and snacks ONLY. Texas CASA has negotiated a block of rooms at the Springhill Suites for a special rate of $114 a night for two double beds or one king bed. Participants may either take advantage of the room block up until 2-3 weeks before day of arrival or make arrangements for their own lodging.

Location: Fickett Center, Austin Capacity: 40

Dates of training: Jan. 30 – Houston Jan. 31 – Conroe Feb. 7 – Beaumont Feb. 12 – Amarillo Feb. 21 – Waco Description: Five local CASA programs, in partnership with the Texas Children’s Commission, Texas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates®), the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Texas Appleseed and Casey Family Services, presents Permanency Values Training!

Permanency Values Training is presented in an effort to equip all involved with children in the child protective system to work toward safely reducing the number of children in foster care by 50 percent in 2020. “Who wouldn’t want a family?” is the theme and finding a way to support children to permanency is the goal.

Hours: 5 Registration: Free This is a free training. Lunch will be provided.

Advocacy

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Race: The Power of an Illusion

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Advocacy

Dialogue: Racism

Intended audience: All CASA staff, volunteers, board members and community stakeholders

Intended audience: All CASA staff, volunteers, board members and community stakeholders

Prerequisites: None

Prerequisites: None

Dates of training: Aug. 19, 2014 – Austin; Aug. 21, 2014 – Dallas

Dates of training: Feb. 12-13, 2014

Description: Most of our common assumptions about race are wrong, yet the consequences of racism are very real for children and families involved in the child protection system. In support of Texas CASA’s continued effort to equip those who work with children to be culturally sensitive to their needs and challenges, Texas CASA is offering two one-day trainings exploring the controversial subject of race.

Hours: 7 Registration: $25 per person Registration cost covers training, training resources, lunch and snacks ONLY. Texas CASA will negotiate a block of rooms at a nearby hotel for a special rate and will inform participants of this information at a later time. Participants may either take advantage of the room block up until 2-3 weeks before day of arrival or make arrangements for their own lodging.

Austin - Springhill Suites for $114/night Dallas - TBA

Description: Through facilitated dialogue, reflection and roleplaying, this intensive two-day workshop challenges participants to analyze the structures of power and privilege that impact communities of color.

Participants will: Develop a common definition of racism and an understanding of its different forms: individual, institutional, linguistic, and cultural, Understand one’s own connection to institutional racism and its impact on his/her work, Understand the role and impact of institutions, particularly as they relate to people and communities of color, Understand racial superiority/inferiority, and Develop a framework for understanding white privilege.

Registration: Free Lunch will be provided on both days, but participants will be responsible for securing their own lodging.

Location: Fickett Center, Austin; TBD, Dallas

Location: John and Maxine Roberts Conference Center: Center for Child Protection, Austin

Capacity: 60

Capacity: 40

Advocacy

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Program Administration

Training of Facilitators for Educational Advocacy Toolkit

New Executive Director Training Part I

Intended audience: CASA Trainers and Facilitators, Case Supervisors, Advocacy Coordinators and Program Directors

Intended audience: All new Executive Directors and, as space allows, any Tenured Director who would like a refresher on a specific topic

Prerequisites: None

Dates of training: Dec. 10-11, 2013

Dates of training: *July 17, 2014; July 24, 2014

Description: Day one: Financial and Risk Management Training by a recognized expert to help Executive Directors better understand requirements and practical applications for their local organizations, related to: preparation and administration of the annual budget, grant procurement and multi-grant management, daily accounting, fundraising, financial reports to the governing body and funders, and legal and risk considerations.

Day two: Program Governance and Program Mission, Planning and Evaluation Training by a recognized expert to help Executive Directors understand their roles and how to develop and promote a strong, effective and engaged board of directors. This partnership is fundamental to the health and well-being of CASA organizations.

*July 17 training will take place the day after the July Mastering the Art of Pre-Service Facilitation training for your scheduling convenience. See page 1 for more information.

Description: The Educational Advocacy Toolkit was developed

by Texas CASA to empower volunteers to become fierce advocates in the area of education. It provides detailed information on special education needs, education portfolio, how to advocate for children in RTCs and how to guide children who are on the college track. This training will teach CASA program facilitators how to train volunteers to use the tools presented in the toolkit.

Hours: 4 Registration: $25 per person Registration cost covers training, training resources, lunch and snacks ONLY. Texas CASA has negotiated a block of rooms at the Springhill Suites for a special rate of $114 a night for two double beds or one king bed. Participants may either take advantage of the room block up until 2-3 weeks before day of arrival or make arrangements for their own lodging.

Hours: 14 Registration: $25 per person per day

Location: Fickett Center, Austin

Registration cost covers training, training resources, lunch and snacks ONLY. Texas CASA has negotiated a block of rooms at the Renaissance Hotel for a special rate of $129 a night for two double beds or one king bed. Participants may either take advantage of the room block up until 2-3 weeks before day of arrival or make arrangements for their own lodging.

Capacity: 40

Location: Texas CASA office, Austin

Program Administration

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Program Administration

New Executive Director Training Part II

Advanced Executive Director and Program Director Development

Intended audience: All new Executive Directors and, as space allows, any Tenured Director who would like a refresher on a specific topic

Intended audience: Executive Directors and Program Directors only

Dates of training: May 20-21, 2014

Prerequisites: Participants are required to complete two one-hour webinars prior to the training and one one-hour webinar following.

Description: Day one: Human Resource Management Executive Directors need to know employment laws and practices and know how to effectively manage staffing resources within their programs. Experts in this area will cover: organizational leadership, managing employees through hiring, compensation and supervision practices, employment law issues, and policies, procedures and resources.

Day two: Volunteer Management (CASA Advocacy) and Public Relations Executive Directors determine their organizations’ practices that ultimately set the standard for the quality of advocacy children receive from CASA volunteers. This training will discuss: volunteer screening, training, supervision, recognition and retention, required policies and procedures, data management, resources available from Texas and National CASA, public relations, and securing and maintaining resources, funds and volunteers from the community.

Hours: 14 Registration: $25 per person per day Registration cost covers training, training resources, lunch and snacks ONLY. Texas CASA has negotiated a block of rooms at the Renaissance Hotel for a special rate of $129 a night for two double beds or one king bed. Participants may either take advantage of the room block up until 2-3 weeks before day of arrival or make arrangements for their own lodging.

Location: Texas CASA office, Austin

Dates of training: March 6-7, 2014 Description: Day one: A plenary track for both ED’s and PD’s. When working in victim services with abused children, it is important for advocates and providers to build resiliency in these young victims. However, advocates and providers often overlook the need to develop resiliency in themselves and their organizations. Building resiliency helps advocates and providers maintain a healthy perspective and avoid secondary traumatic stress or burnout.

The goal of this blended learning training is to identify the five individual elements of resiliency and explore how they can be implemented in an organization through policies, supervisory techniques, and training.

Day two: Two tracks will run concurrently with topics geared toward program administration and governance for Executive Directors and topics related to advocacy and volunteer support and development for Program Directors.

Hours: 14 Registration: $25 per person per day Registration cost covers training, training resources, lunch and snacks ONLY. Texas CASA will negotiate a block of rooms at a nearby hotel for a special rate and will inform participants of this information at a later time. Participants may either take advantage of the room block up until 23 weeks before day of arrival or make arrangements for their own lodging.

Location: TBD Capacity: 60 ED slots; 60 PD slots

Governance

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Texas CASA’s Vision A CASA volunteer for every child who needs one.

Texas CASA’s Mission

Local Board Development Training (Mandatory) Intended audience: Required for funding, each local program is asked to send one board officer (Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary or Treasurer) who has not previously attended this training.

Texas CASA partners with the CASA community to be a voice for abused and neglected children through the power of volunteer advocacy and change in the child protection system.

Dates of training: April 26, 2014 - Austin; May 3, 2014 - Dallas Description: Texas CASA will provide an overview of the mission, vision, strategic goals, services, training, quality assurance review and grant funding provided by Texas CASA for local programs. Professional consultants will provide training on board roles and responsibilities with a focus on: financial oversight, fund development, and critical Executive Director working relationships, evaluation and support.

Hours: 7

It’s easy to register for CASA College trainings!

STEP 1 Go to our events calendar at www.TexasCASA.org/ events.

STEP 2 Click on the training you wish to attend.

STEP 3 Click on the red REGISTER NOW button and it will take you to the event’s registration page.

Registration: No cost. Texas CASA will reimburse necessary lodging, food and travel expenses for one board officer to attend.

Texas CASA 1501 West Anderson Lane Austin, Texas 78757

Location: Fickett Center, Austin; Sheraton Dallas Hotel by the Galleria, Dallas

(512)473-2627 www.TexasCASA.org