Continuing Education
C.O.R.E.
The foundation of effective advocacy for our CASA/GALs starts with pre and post training learning. This is C.O.R.E. - Continuing Opportunities to Refresh & Educate.
Our C.O.R.E is designed to prepare and support each CASA/GAL volunteer in the important role as a child advocate.
Offered below are a variety of learning opportunities to support a volunteer’s continuing education and help build a foundation of knowledge on case-related topics. You can choose from a vast collection of convenient formats ranging from webinars and books to podcasts and training videos.
C.O.R.E. Topics
(Continuing Opportunities to Refresh & Educate)
Videos:
Books:
Healing the Scars of Childhood Abuse
Gentling: A Practical Guide to Treating PTSD in Abuse Children
Webinars:
Child Abuse, Neglect and Domestic Violence: Dispelling the Myths, Enhancing Practice
The Inner World of Abused & Neglected Children: Normalizing & The Role of Therapy
The Inner World of Abuse & Neglected Children: The Issue of Trust & the Parent Child Bond
CASA Becoming More Aware of Child Abuse & Neglect in a Virtual World
Anatomy of Domestic Violence - Alisa Neary
Ted Talks:
Videos:
Podcasts:
National CASA: The Diagnosis and the Drug: Use of Psychotropic Medication in the Foster Care System
National CASA: The Effects of Methamphetamine on Children
National CASA: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Articles:
Long Term Adverse Effects of Parental Drinking
Family treatment courts and substance use disorder
Frontiers: Attachment theory and maternal drug addiction
Books:
Webinars:
National CASA Substance Use Disorders and Child Welfare Part 1
National CASA Substance Use Disorders and Child Welfare Part 2
National CASA Substance Use Disorders and Child Welfare Part 3
Illinois CASA: Fentanyl, Sizzurp, Vaping and Other Current Drug Trends
Illinois CASA: The Juvenile Journey from Marijuana to Heroin
Illinois CASA: The Opioid Crisis in Illinois
Ted Talks:
Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong
How Isolation Fuels Opioid Addiction
Addiction is a Disease. We Should Treat It Like One.
The Agony of Opioid Withdrawal - and What the Doctors Should Tell Patients About It
Presentations:
Articles:
Information About Adoption You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption
About adoption from foster care
Books:
Honestly Adoption: Answers to 101 Questions About Adoption and Foster Care | By Mike & Kristin Berry
Adoption in America: What You Need to Know BEFORE You Adopt
Webinars:
Openness in Foster Care Adoption
Adopting Older Children: What You Need to Know
Ted Talks:
Articles:
Disproportionality of Race in Special Ed Programs
Unaccompanied Immigrant Children
Providing Care for Children in Immigrant Families
Mediators and Adverse Effects of Child Poverty in the United States
How tutoring could be a key to lifting kids out of 'COVID slide' (usatoday.com)
Navigating the Educational Gatekeeper
Books:
Every Student, Every Day: A No-Nonsense Nurturer® Approach to Reaching All Learners
Helping Foster Children in School
Webinars:
Educational Advocacy for Youth In Care
Equity & Educational Advocacy | Fighting for Youth To/Who Matter
National CASA Poverty, Income and Child Maltreatment
Educational Advocacy and the IEP
Getting Through the Educational Gatekeeper
Ted Talks:
To transform child welfare, take race out of the equation
Other:
Videos:
Articles:
How PTSD and Trauma Affect Your Brain Functioning
Books:
Parenting Children of Trauma: The Foster-Adoption Guide to Understanding Attachment Disorder
It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle
Human Development and Trauma: How Childhood Shapes Us into Who We Are as Adults
Webinars:
The Inner World of a Child with PTSD: Making Sense of Behaviors that Make No Sense
Becoming More Aware of Child Abuse & Neglect in a Virtual World
Child Grief and Loss: A Trauma Informed Care Approach
Garbage Bag Suitcase Book Discussion with Shenandoah Chefalo
Ted Talks:
How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime - Nadine Burke Harris
The big data behind complex human emotions
Other:
Normalizing and the Role of Therapy
The Issue of Trust & the Parent/Child Bond
CASA Becoming More Aware of Child Abuse & Neglect in a Virtual World
Garbage Bag Suitcase Book Discussion with Shenandoah Chefalo
Educational Advocacy and the IEP with Josh Axelson
Older Youth Resources & Emancipation
Managing Stress & Anxiety During the Pandemic - Dr. Mark Reinecke
Articles:
What Are Childhood Mental Disorders?
Books:
How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7
The Irreducible Needs Of Children: What Every Child Must Have To Grow, Learn, And Flourish
Webinars:
Trauma Informed Care: Key Strategies for Healing and Behavioral Change
Ted Talks:
Articles:
Essential Tips for Interviewing Children
Communicating with Children Principles and Practices to Nurture, Inspire, Excite, Educate and Heal
How to Navigate Difficult Conversations
Tips for Video Chatting with Young Children
Books:
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
Webinars:
Conflict Resolution - Gloria Kelly
Ted Talks:
Articles:
Understanding Child Welfare and the Courts
For Anyone Concerned About a Foster Child
Understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act
Books:
Therapeutic Interventions for Families and Children in the Child Welfare System 1st Edition
Representing Children in Dependency and Family Court: Beyond the Law
Webinars:
CASA Judicial Perspectives Study: Building Evidence for Best Interest Advocacy
Legislation 101 for CASA Volunteers and Staff
Understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act: Family, Connection and Culture
Ted Talks:
Articles:
Working With LGBTQ Youth and Families
Books:
Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child
Race, Class, and Gender: Intersections and Inequalities
Webinars:
Diversity & Inclusion, Steve Robbins
Strengthening families using a racial equity lens
Compassionate Racial Awareness
Ted Talks:
Videos:
Child Trafficking: Recognizing the Risks and Signs
Child Trafficking: Knowledge for Working with Survivors
Advocating for Trafficked and High-Risk Child and Youth Victims
Podcasts:
National CASA: Domestic Violence
Articles:
Can Domestic Violence be Stopped
Domestic Violence has Long Range Consequences
Webinars:
National CASA: Child Trafficking, Part 1
National CASA: Child Trafficking Part 2, Working with Survivors
The Anatomy of Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence and Youth in Care
Children and Domestic Violence
Advocating for Trafficked and High Risk Child Victims
Ted Talks:
It's Time to Talk about Psychological and Verbal Abuse
Videos:
Podcasts:
The Urgency of Placing Kids with Relatives
Changing the Face of Foster Care
Articles:
CASA Volunteers - Champions for Foster Children
Welcome a Child or Teen into Foster Care
Helping Children in Foster Care Successfully Transition into Child Care
FAQ's: Asked by Foster Parents - Answered by DCFS
Books:
Webinars:
Digital Safety Education - Trending Apps
Understanding Your Family's Digital Habits and Maintaining a Safe Online Environment
Ted Talks:
Articles:
3 Ways to Nurture the Positive in Difficult Times
How to Practice Mindfulness Throughout Your Work Day
11 Simple Ways to Find Joy in your Everyday Life
Books:
Make Peace with Your Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Your Inner Critic
Little Ways to Keep Calm and Carry On: Twenty Lessons for Managing Worry, Anxiety, and Fear
Webinars:
Managing Stress & Anxiety During the Pandemic - Dr. Mark Reinecke
Ted Talks:
Articles:
Health Care Issues for Children and Adolescents in Foster Care and Kinship Care
Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children
How Anxiety Affects Teenagers in School
Books:
Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness , Focus and Calm
Barefoot Books Yoga Pretzels: 50 Fun Yoga Activities for Kids & Grownups
Webinars:
Resources for Support the Health and Well Being of Children and Families During COVID
Managing Stress & Anxiety During the Pandemic - Dr. Mark Reinecke
Ted Talks:
Podcasts:
Supporting Youth in Higher Education
Articles:
Working with Youth to Develop a Transition Plan
Books:
Macro Perspectives on Youths Aging Out of Foster Care
Grit & Gratitude: The Foster Youth's Playbook for Adulting
Webinars:
Older Youth in Care & Emancipation
Ted Talks:
The mysterious workings of the adolescent brain