Upcoming Zoom / In-Person Continuing Education

The Ups & Downs of the CASA Role Workshop
Monday, January 13, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Register Here

Navigating the challenges of being a CASA can be an emotional rollercoaster. If you serve a transitional-age youth, and have felt disappointed, frustrated, and/or sad please know you are not alone! It is normal for Advocates to wonder if they have done enough, and even doubt themselves. Sometimes we find that we have to let go of the visions and dreams we have for our assigned youth when things don’t work out the way we had hoped. Please join SF CASA in conversation and learn how to navigate the letting go process, including establishing new expectations and boundaries with Dr. Natalia Estassi.

IEP Basics
Matrix Parent Network & Resource Center
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Register Here(before 9am day of training)

If you’re new to the world of IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) or if you’ve been around the Special Education block a couple of times, this training will introduce or reinforce basic concepts necessary for understanding your child’s IEP.

Foster Youth & Tax Filing: Helping Youth Learn, Prepare, File & Follow Through
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 10:00–11:30 a.m
Register Here

John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) is hosting a webinar to kick off the 2025 tax season and provide valuable guidance on helping foster youth access the California Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC), which is worth up to $1,154 for eligible youth who file their state taxes. Last tax season, 16% of eligible foster youth filed their taxes and received the FYTC. This year, the goal is to increase that number to 20%, 25%, or even 30%. Join this webinar to learn outreach strategies and ways to support youth in accessing this valuable resource.

Sex Trafficking Prevention: Change How the Story Ends for a Child
Wednesday, January 22 at 12:00 pm 
Register Here

There are more children in slavery today, more than at any other time in history. This includes child sex trafficking, as it is considered a form of modern-day slavery. To join the fight in combating this global issue, BE BOLD Youth Program was established in 2019 as part of Child Advocates of Placer County, that trains and supports volunteers to advocate for local youth both in and outside of the court system. BE BOLD educates, supports, and empowers youth that are victims of, or are at risk of becoming victims of child sex trafficking. Through bi-monthly activities and education, weekly one-on-one mentoring, and having one consistent caring adult in their life, we’ve cultivated a nurturing environment where these youth form lifetime connections, learn to thrive, and become stronger and more successful. Our data demonstrates that 90% had no existing CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) concerns after being a part of the program. Over the last few years, we have extended our reach and are serving youth in the juvenile justice system as well. Our hope is that by sharing tangible preventative tools to use with children, and sharing our successes and learnings, that we can keep children safer everywhere and help others start similar programs.

The IEP Form: One Page at a Time Matrix Parent Network & Resource Center
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Register Here (before 9am day of training)

Take a walk through the IEP (Individualized Education Program) form. The pages of the IEP form are in a specific order and specific information should be found in each section. Knowing what should be on each page of your child’s IEP empowers you to be an effective member of your child’s IEP team.

Strengthening Adult Self Awareness & Self-Care to Reduce Burnout
February 11, 2025 from 8:30 am-12:00 pm
In-person at Marin County Office of Education 
Register Here

Discover strategies to address adult stress, compassion fatigue, and trauma, empowering educators and community service providers to sustain their vital roles with resilience and dedication. 

Replacement Behaviors: The Meaning Behind Behavior
Monday, February 17, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Register Here

As CASA volunteers do you find yourself thinking about how to support youth with behavioral coping skills? In this training, offered by SF CASA, Natalia Estassi will explore this important aspect of your advocacy to understand and explore strategies to model and promote replacement behavior, which is the behavior you want to replace an unwanted target behavior when working with youth in foster care.

 

Self-Study Opportunities – learn on your own timeline

California CASA E-Learning CenterSince the launch of California CASA’s E-Learning Center in July 2023, we have seen a steady rise in the number of registered learners each month. Now, we’re excited to offer 24/7 access to more than 700 users across the network. This platform is an invaluable resource for continuing education. For any questions or additional training support, Gabi Magallon ([email protected]) is available to assist.

 

Powerful, self-paced online learning video courses empower you to cultivate success at your own pace, whenever and wherever you want. No stress. Just great resources at your fingertips if and when you want to use them. Courses are packed with practical resources. Choose a self-paced video course that is right for you:
 

1-2-3 Wellness Experience:
Learn simple, powerful wellness practices which guide you to craft your own personalized self-care plan

Empowered Behavior Opportunity
Learn how to empower youth to take greater responsibility for their behavior and emotion regulation success

W.I.N.S. Communication
Learn simple, brain-based ways to foster understanding, connection and communication success.