Training Page
Volunteer Court Advocates are required to complete 30 hours of pre-service training. Some of the topics covered during the training program include:
- The Texas Family Code
- Roles and responsibilities
- Collaboration with CPS
- Minimum expectations of service to a case
- Texas CASA standards
- Code of ethics
- Confidentiality
- Family conferencing
- Violations mandating dismissal
- Foster parents
- Cluster court
- Department of Family and Protective Services
- Attorney ad litem (AAL)
- CASA forms
- Writing a court report
- Understanding families and children
- Cultural awareness
Once trained, advocates will be sworn in by the Honorable Judge Fred Edwards of the 9th District Court.
Once sworn in as a CASA, the advocate will be assigned to a case of a child or a sibling group who have been abused or neglected by their parents or caregivers. The CASA will:
- Gather information
- Interview all parties involved
- Conduct a diligent search for relative/kinship placement
- Advocate for the child's best interests
- Make reports to the court
- Interact with other professionals involved with the case
IN-SERVICE TRAINING
After the first year of service, advocates are required to participate in 12 hours of in-service training. The following is a partial list of activities which qualify toward this mandatory in-service requirement:
- Attending the National and/or State CASA Convention
- Participating in local sponsored information/training sessions
- Attending relevant medical, legal or educational seminars
- Reviewing literature or training videos from our Resource Library
- Utilizing training options available on the state or national CASA website
click here - To view our list of upcoming In-Service trainings