Continuing Education

In order to keep current with issues that relate to the volunteer role, our volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education per year.

Continuing Education at Dallas CASA

Due to current limits on social gatherings, all in person Dallas CASA continuing education programs have been moved online. There are also many virtual programs offered in the community, as well as webinars, podcasts, movies, TV programs and books listed to continue learning.

Dallas CASA Live Webinars

Who's Who at CPS?

Do you ever get confused about the variety of roles within Child Protective Services? Do you see acronyms like FBSS, PAL and CVS and wonder what they mean? Our very own Dallas CASA Supervisor, Charlotta Richardson, worked for CPS for five years in various capacities and will help you understand the different types of caseworkers and how they relate to your cases. You will learn the difference between Investigations, FBSS, CVS (TMC and PMC), PAL, Kinship, Adoption Workers, and FGC Coordinators.

When: Wednesday, October 26, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom program
Registration: Register here

Continuing Education in the Community

Bias

Bias is universal. We all have bias whether it is 'towards' people like us or 'against' people who are not like us. Despite these universal truths, addressing and limiting our bias to prevent us from harming each other still feels elusive. This training seeks to answer the following questions: How does bias form? How can I lessen my own bias? What should I do if I have accidentally offended someone? Should I be worried about "cancel culture?" Answers to these questions and more will be addressed.

When: Tuesday, October 25, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Webinar
Cost: No cost
Registration: Register here

Dallas CASA Online Learning Center

Dallas CASA advocates have access to online Dallas CASA CE courses and recorded webinars through LearnUpon. To access available courses, advocates first need to email Leslie Ramirez to create an account. During registration, when asked your "role" be sure to select "Sworn Volunteer" to receive access to continuing education courses. These courses are created and intended for Dallas CASA advocates; please do not share with others.

Some of the available courses:
Case Management and Documentation (3 hours)
Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth (2 hours)
Confidentiality: To Share or Not To Share (1.5 hours)
Educational Advocacy (1 hour)
Medical Advocacy (1.5 hours)
Mental Health Advocacy (2 hours)
Sexual Abuse Prevention for Dallas CASA (1.5 hours)

Continuing Education Independent Learning

Recommended Audio Programs

Click here for: Podcasts

Recommended Films

Click here for: Movies and documentaries

Recommended Television Programs

Click here for: TV and special programs

Recommended Video Programs

Click here for: Webinars available anytime

Racism, Disproportionality and Race Equity Resources

Click here for: Recommended resources

Recommended Reading

In addition to attending classes and online training, advocates are also able to read books related to the work we do to receive continuing education credit hours. Each 50 pages equals 1 CE hour. For example, if you read a book that is 300 pages long, you will receive 6 hours of continuing education credit.

Click here for the: Recommended Reading List

Recommended Publications

Assessing the Well-Being of Children in North Texas (Nov 2021) – 2 hours
DFPS Children Without Placement Report (Sept 2021) – I hour
State of the State: Texas Child Welfare System Trends (July 2021) – 1 hour

Children's Commission: Parent Resource Guide

Have you wondered what the parents on your case go through or wanted to learn more about the CPS process? Imagine being scared, confused, embarrassed or angry and having to navigate the CPS and legal process. Take a glimpse into the role of a parent going through this process and receive 2.5 continuing education hours for self study.

Download Parent Resource Guide: English or Spanish

Texas CASA Health Advocacy Guide

This 41-page guide created by Texas CASA provides volunteers with the most up-to-date resources and information in order to advocate for the best possible medical and mental healthcare for children they serve.

View: Click here