We hope that you will find resources here that will enhance your ability to understand communication techniques and to allow you to stand up for the needs and rights of abused and neglected children both in and out of the courtroom. To view the training materials on a particular topic, simply click on the training heading to be redirected to the training materials.
INTERVIEW SKILLS - TALKING WITH CHILDREN
As a CASA Volunteer, you communicate with children, their families, caseworkers and others involved in the case. Knowledge about communication is important to the specific ways you will gather information from children. Some children can talk about their situations and their wishes, but other children do not have verbal and developmental skills sufficient to express their needs and wishes. View sample interactionss
TIPS IN EFFECTIVE COURTROOM TESTIMONY
As a CASA volunteer, you will more than likely be presented with numerous opportunities to testify in court about your conclusions regarding the best interest of the child and the facts that support your conclusions. Your conclusions and the facts and evidence that support your conclusions are communicated to the court in the form of a court report. Occasionally, you may be called upon to testify under oath as a witness on the case. Your testimony can be in the form of a narrative testimony or sometimes in a typical question and answer format. Here are some important tips to consider as you prepare.
ADVOCACY FOR DEAF & HARD-OF-HEARING CHILDREN & FAMILY MEMBERS
This hour-long continuing education training was recorded on May 22, 2019, by the Texas State CASA program and features speakers Dr. Jon Bergeron and Shelly Bergeron discussing best practices in advocacy for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children and family members involved in the child welfare system. Shelly and Jon have extensive experience with CASA and child welfare; and have adopted two Deaf sons, one through CPS and one internationally.
DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS: HOW TO ADDRESS WHAT MATTERS MOST
We attempt to avoid difficult conversations every day - whether dealing with an underperforming employee, disagreeing with a spouse, or negotiating with a client. From the Harvard Project, Difficult Conversations provides a step-by-step approach to having those tough conversations with less stress and more success.