As part of our mission to support the continuing education of advocate volunteers and to connect CASA volunteers across the state, CASA of New York State offers continuing education training and workshops and promotes trainings offered by partner organizations.

The child welfare field is continually evolving. The needs of the children and families served by CASA are complex. Because of this, it is requirement that all CASA volunteers engage in at least 12 hours of continuing education, also known as in-service training, annually.

In addition to supporting CASA volunteers and staff, CASA opens some training to families served by CASA and service providers with whom CASA collaborates.

Upcoming trainings include:

Permanency Mediation

Date to be announced | Offered via Zoom

Open to CASA volunteers, volunteers in training, CASA staff and service providers with whom CASA collaborates

Permanency Mediation is a consensual dispute resolution process for family court cases in which a specially trained impartial mediator helps parties to identify issues, clarify perceptions and explore options for a mutually acceptable outcome. It is generally utilized when there is an impasse in moving a child or children to permanency.  In New York, the Permanency Mediation Program, which is part of the New York State Unified Court System, utilizes experienced mediators who have participated in training in advanced family mediation techniques, child welfare laws and regulations, domestic violence issues, large group facilitation techniques, trauma informed care and cultural humility/implicit bias. Participants will learn when and how permanency mediation can be accessed within the context of cases to which CASA is appointed.

1.5 CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS FOR CASA VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF