Illinois CASA’s webinar handouts are available here.
You can follow along with the presentation during the live webinar presentation, or while you’re viewing a recorded webinar.
Thank you for participating in our CASA Academy offerings.
3/13/18: Understanding Self-Harm
Self-harm has become one of the more common maladaptive coping mechanisms that adolescent and teens are turning to today. Understanding the many reasons why a person might decide to self-harm and how it can quickly become an addiction is important when working with young people. Teaching coping skills, emotion regulation and self-love/ self-esteem building are essential in the treatment of someone who self-harms.
02/27/18: Intergenerational Trauma and ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
In this webinar participants will learn about the biological and relational components of intergenerational trauma and how these components contribute to intergenerational trauma. Epigenetics and ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) will be explained and explored. How relational trauma is transmitted intergenerationally will be examined. Finally, how intergenerational trauma can impact parenting and how CASA workers can impact the intergenerational impact of trauma will be summarized.
01/31/18: The Mandated Reporting Process: Its Challenges & Intricacies
Anyone can report suspected child abuse. As a CASA/GAL you are a mandated reporter, required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect. Through lecture and discussion participants in this webinar will learn about the mandated reporting process as well as its challenges and intricacies. Remember: children seldom lie about abuse. If a child discloses abuse, report what you know to the authorities; they will determine the facts and evidence. In rare instances when a child does lie about abuse, it can be an indication that something else is wrong.
01/19/2018: The Juvenile Journey from Marijuana to Heroin
No five year old states that he or she wants to grow up to be a heroin addict. Yet, so many teens and adults become just that; hoping to change the way they feel. This webinar will explain where the intersection of stress, anxiety, depression and addiction meet. What the outcomes are, what the effects on the family are and what society has to offer in terms of rescue or redemption.
12/20/17: Grief: What it Looks Like and How to Talk About It
During this session, volunteers will learn the basic principles of Grief and Loss that individuals experience. They will also learn about the trauma responses that children can experience due to a loss situation. They will get training on reactions that are helpful and not helpful during these situations.
12/13/17: Addressing the Needs of LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care
This presentation examines Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) identified youth in the child welfare system. There will be information provided for all levels of personal awareness, including basic terminology, statistics describing this group of young people, and concrete tools to use with youth on both the micro and macro system. Multiple perspectives will be provided from a legal, social work and foster parent perspective. The participants will examine professional ethical responsibilities for each group and think about how those rules apply to working with LGBTQ youth.
11/28/17: The Inner World of a Person with PTSD: Making Sense of Behaviors that Make No Sense
Using stories and anecdotes, this presentation will provide context and unique insights into the world of hurting children who are experiencing Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD deeply influences how a child will relate, not only to his peers and those who support and advocate for him, but to new situations like foster and group homes, schools, etc. During this session, we hope to provide practical, applicable tools and understandings that build cooperation and rapport.
11/7/17: Reality & Resiliency: The Educational Needs of Former Foster Youth
Education is key for the long-term health and happiness for all children. The reality is that foster youth face barriers to their educational success throughout their educational pathway. This webinar will provide an overview of what is known about the barriers that foster youth and former foster youth face along the educational pipeline and how these barriers impact their educational outcomes. Promoting resiliency through the development of personal strengths and support structures can empower foster youth to reach their personal, educational, and career goals. While this is important for all foster youth, it is especially pressing for foster youth in middle and high school, who are moving towards a transition to adulthood and independence. Practical approaches to how CASA volunteers can both directly and indirectly support resiliency as part of their advocacy work will be shared, including a brief introduction to individualized learning planning processes that can be used to help foster youth define and strive for their goals.
10/26/17: Children and the Electronic Media
10/16/17: Screening, Assessment, and Support Services - SASS
The SASS initiative is a cooperative partnership between the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Department of Human Services (DHS). This program features a single point of entry (Crisis and Referral Entry Service, CARES) for all children entering the system and ensures that children receive crisis services in the most appropriate setting. Learn more about this program, including SASS eligibility, the referral process, as well as follow-up services in the community post-screening for stabilization.
10/28/17: Understanding Attachment
Attachment is a critical concept in child development with implications throughout the lifespan. This presentation will discuss the various types of attachment, as well as the impact of disrupted attachment. Finally, participants will learn about Reactive Attachment Disorder and how this presents in children and adolescents.
9/13/2017: Children of Domestic Violence
When working with families with multiple issues it is easy to overlook emotional trauma. Children of domestic violence are more than witnesses, they are assessors, interpreters and carriers of emotional scars. We can help be that one person who can put them on the path to healing.
8/21/17: Educational Advocacy Tips & Tricks
During this webinar we will address a variety of topics related to school advocacy. Learn about 504 plans, IEPS, and what constitutes a “disability.” We will learn how to prepare for a 504/IEP meeting, how to utilize outside resources to best advocate for a child, and understand educational accommodations that will help achieve positive outcomes.
7/25/17: CANS: Child and Adolescent Needs Assessment
Participants will be introduced to the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) measurement tool while discussing how the tool is applied by caseworkers to each child’s as part of the semi-annual DCFS Administrative Case Review (ACR). Participants will learn about the creation of the CANS instrument, review each section of measurement, and learn about the qualifiers/criteria are for completing each section. We will review how the CANS is scored by child welfare professionals according to DCFS standards. Additionally, participants will learn how the CANS is completed by each child’s caseworker and how the CANS can be applied to affect the development of the child/family service plan. Part 2 of this two-part series will take place on Wednesday, August 2nd.
6/28/2017: Fentanyl, Sizzurp, Vaping and Other Current Drug Trends
6/12/2017: Dually Involved Youth: Child Welfare/Juvenile Justice and the Conscience Community Network
5/22/2017: Autism: Early Indicators, Strategies and Resources
5/15/2017: Anxiety: Enhancing Support Through Better Understanding
Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health (and health) issue we are facing as a society and is particularly common among kids and teens, especially those touched by trauma, loss, and instability. It can be hard to recognize yet can be extremely debilitating in the lives and relationships of those affected by it. Supporting or building rapport with an anxious child or teen presents numerous challenges. This presentation will help participants to better recognize and understand anxiety in the individuals they work with. By providing information on anxiety management techniques and available treatments, it will also prepare participants to be more effective and confident advocates.
5/01/2017: Effective Advocacy: Building Cross-Cultural Competence
We don’t always come across in our speaking and behavior as we think we do. In our efforts to be “politically correct,” we may attempt to ignore differences. However, differences do exist and we need to better understand how our biases impact how we communicate and behave with others who may think, act or looks different than we do. This session will be an introduction on building cross-cultural competence skills. It will define conscious and unconscious biases. We will discuss a skills-based approach to navigating differences.