Training of CASA Volunteers

Through a comprehensive 30-hour training program volunteers are equipped with the necessary skills and information to serve as a voice for the child. The areas covered in the training include:

1. Advocacy
2. Child Development and Family Systems
3. Community Resources for Children
4. Court Appearances and Testimony
5. Court Report Writing
6. Dependency Law and Procedure
7. Dynamics of Child Abuse and Neglect
8. Ethics, Confidentiality of Information and Mandated Reporting
9. Interviewing
10. Investigation
11. Permanency Planning
12. The CASA Concept
13. The Role and Responsibilities of the CASA Volunteer
14. The Role of the Child Welfare Agency (Department of Human Services - DHS)
15. The Role of the Juvenile Court and Key Participants
16. The Role of the Law Enforcement Agencies

• Each trainee will attend hearings as directed by the Program Director.
• A CASA training manual will be provided to each trainee.
• Trainees must attend all training sessions. Missed sessions must be made up.
• Upon completion of training, candidates will participate in a meeting with the Program Director. The purpose of this meeting is to allow trainees to evaluate the training, to make suggestions to strengthen future training, or to allow the program staff to terminate a trainee who has not successfully completed this screening process.

Contact Bitterroot CASA
Phone: (406) 961-4535
Email: bttrcasa@msn.com

Bitterroot CASA Winter Training Schedule

January:

• Thursday, January 24th @ 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  Chapter 1 "Introducing the CASA/GAL Volunteer Role"
  ~ Julie Crane, Program Director
• Friday, January 25th @ 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  Chapter 2 "Introducing the Law, the Child Protection System and the Court"
  ~ Howard Recht, Attorney for DPHHS
• Tuesday, January 29th @ 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  Chapter 3 "Exploring Cultural Awareness"
  ~ Karen Mahar, Deputy County Attorney
• Wednesday, January 30th @ 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Chapter 4 "Understanding Families-Part1"
  ~Shelley Verwolf and Liz Gray, DPHHS

February:

• Thursday, January 31st @ 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Chapter 5 "Understanding Families-Part 2"
  ~ Shelley Verwolf and Liz Gray, DPHHS
• Monday, February 4th @ 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  Chapter 5 (continued)
  ~ Nannette Seltzer, Western Montana Addiction Services
• Wednesday, February 6th @ 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
  Chapter 6 "Understanding Children"
  ~ Linnea Wang, LCPC
• Wednesday, February 6th @ 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  Chapter 6 (continued)
  ~ Michael English, MSW
• Friday, February 8th @ 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  Chapter 7 "Communicating as a CASA Volunteer"
  ~ Julie Crane, Program Director
• Monday, February 11th @ 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  Chapter 8 "Gathering Information"
  ~ Pete Clarkson, Investigator for Ravalli County Attorney’s Office
• Monday, February 11th @ 3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
  Chapter 9 "Reporting and Monitoring"
  ~ Michael Small, CASA/GAL
• Tuesday, February 12th @ 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  Chapter 10 "Putting it All Together"
  ~ Julie Crane, Program Director
• TBD
  Swearing in ceremony
  ~ Hon. James A. Haynes, District Court Judge Courtroom #2