Pre-Service Training

Session 2 uses an example case, called the "Bleux Case" to teach developmental milestones of different ages, describe situations children are removed from their home, types of trauma, importance of good note taking, review of people who are involved in a child's case, why to use the strengths-based approach, describe permanency planning and permanency outcomes, describe kinship guardianships. describe "concurrent planning."

Session 3 uses an example case, called the "Greene Case" to describe how poverty impacts families and children, why there is a higher rate of poor children in the child welfare system, the difference between poverty and neglect, how mental health issues are not always addressed in families who live in poverty, the difference between open-ended and closed-ended questions and in what cases it is beneficial to use either of these questions, skills needed to conduct a productive interview, tips for interviewing children and adolescents, strengths of the family, and complete the interview assignment and explain to the facilitator your decision making around the questions you select.

Session 4 uses an example case, called the "Amarillo Case" to describe the impacts of addiction on families and children, the impact of domestic violence on families and children, the educational challenges that children and youth experience, how and when mental health treatment is needed by older youth, the process and importance of permanency planning for older youth, the protective factors needed by older youth to thrive, the elements of effective recommendations in a court report, how to identify family strengths, and how to make recommendation.

Session 5 uses an example case, called the "Redd Case" to practice completing court report including: summary of the case to date using interview notes, case notes; recommendations for all involved parties, a placement decision that reflects the summary and the recommendations; practice identifying family's strengths, identify potential solutions to the dilemma and identify areas of strength and need for a learning plan for continued development as a volunteer.

Session 6 covers the details of our CASA program and Judicial District. There are also two independent study topics: Kansas Domestic Law and Juvenile Offender.