The CASA Book Club will meet Sept. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the CASA of Lexington office to discuss “The Car Thief" by Vicki Reed.

Reed is currently the executive-director of the Kentucky Juvenile Justice Initiative, an advocacy group whose goals included ending the practice of mandatory waiver to adult court and banning the detention of status offenders. She serves on the local Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). She is a former Juvenile Justice Commissioner for the state of Kentucky.

Reed will be attending the book club discussion to talk about her book and answer questions.

Register to attend using the button below. This book club meeting is worth 2 hours of CEU credit. You may also earn up to 4 hours toward your annual required CEUs by reading the book.

Book Summary from the author

Meet Sam Murry. He lives a quiet, orderly existence, alone—just how he likes it. But when a judge sends a skinny, young kid to be in his charge, that life gets turned inside out, leaving his heart uncomfortably and irretrievably exposed.

What happens when not just a decent kid, but an extraordinary one falls into the clutches of the juvenile justice system? Debut novelist, Vicki Reed, relies on decades spent working in the field to craft this inspiring story of loss and redemption. A powerful novel that shows how the transformative power of friendship, kindness, and love can heal the deepest wounds.

Copies of “The Car Thief” are available from the CASA lending library at the Lexington office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. Copies are also available from the Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Jessamine public libraries. Information for purchasing “The Car Thief” is available on the author’s website.

Note: This training is hosted by an external provider. Please contact the provider with any questions.

This webinar will provide an overview of findings from listening sessions and surveys across Kentucky that discussed needs, barriers and resources for kinship families. A new web-based resource will also be unveiled.

You'll hear from Casey Family Programs and the Department for Community Based Services who will give national and state level information about the kinship care landscape.

All are welcome, especially kinship caregivers, organization and agency staff who support kinship families, and those who advocate for kinship families. 

For any questions, please contact Debbie Abreu at dabreu@kyyouth.org.

In this webinar, participants will hear from a panel of judges from the Judicial Leadership Council, who will provide staff and volunteers with information on how to work with American Indian/Alaskan Native children and their families, and working with ICWA and/or a tribal court when advocating for an American Indian/Alaskan Native child. A toolkit on working towards providing CASA/GAL advocacy services in tribal courts that are currently not covered by a CASA/GAL program will be introduced.

CEU credit hours: 1.0

This training is provided by the National CASA/GAL Association

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is hosting a virtual training via Zoom to educate legal professionals about the impact of the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® (WWK) program in Kentucky. The Foundation is providing three opportunities to attend this virtual training — please register for one of the sessions below. Presenters will discuss how partners can utilize the program to meet state and federally mandated permanency requirements. They will also explore how WWK can assist the legal community in achieving better outcomes for their clients lingering in foster care, including older youth, sibling groups, and children with special needs.

This training is being offered three times:

• 12-1 p.m. Aug. 9

• 12-1 p.m. Aug. 16

• 12-1 p.m. Aug. 23

Register for any one of these sessions through the Dave Thomas Foundation website.

Join this informative webinar of a panel of judges working with CASA/GAL programs in rural, suburban, and urban programs.  This facilitated discussion will include judicial input regarding working with the family as a whole.

CEU credit hours: 1.0

This training is provided by the National CASA/GAL Association.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is hosting a virtual training via Zoom to educate legal professionals about the impact of the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® (WWK) program in Kentucky. The Foundation is providing three opportunities to attend this virtual training — please register for one of the sessions below. Presenters will discuss how partners can utilize the program to meet state and federally mandated permanency requirements. They will also explore how WWK can assist the legal community in achieving better outcomes for their clients lingering in foster care, including older youth, sibling groups, and children with special needs.

This training is being offered three times:

• 12-1 p.m. Aug. 9

• 12-1 p.m. Aug. 16

• 12-1 p.m. Aug. 23

Register for any one of these sessions through the Dave Thomas Foundation website.

Gaming disorder, also known as video game addiction, refers to compulsive engagement in video games leading to negative consequences in an adolescent’s life. This condition is characterized by changes in brain matter, loss of executive functioning, poor decision-making, impulse control issues, emotional regulation challenges, lack of motivation, lack of social skills, lack of hygiene, obesity, an increased risk of substance abuse and some even say violence toward peers.

This training from the Ridge is about the risks of video game addition and more importantly, how to navigate those risks to prevent the loss of adolescence to a screen. Those working with unmotivated, socially anxious or depressed adolescent males will especially benefit from this training, which blends clinical research with solutions to break free from the risk of addiction.

This training is worth 1 CEU credit hour for CASA of Lexington volunteers.

Note: This training is offered through The Ridge, not CASA of Lexington. Please contact The Ridge with any questions.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is hosting a virtual training via Zoom to educate legal professionals about the impact of the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® (WWK) program in Kentucky. The Foundation is providing three opportunities to attend this virtual training — please register for one of the sessions below. Presenters will discuss how partners can utilize the program to meet state and federally mandated permanency requirements. They will also explore how WWK can assist the legal community in achieving better outcomes for their clients lingering in foster care, including older youth, sibling groups, and children with special needs.

This training is being offered three times:

• 12-1 p.m. Aug. 9

• 12-1 p.m. Aug. 16

• 12-1 p.m. Aug. 23

Register for any one of these sessions through the Dave Thomas Foundation website.

This webinar will provide CASA volunteers with tips and strategies on how to prepare to answer questions in court through a Judge’s perspective. Attendees will hear tips and information from members of the Judicial Leadership Council on how to prepare for court on the day of the hearing to effectively verbally provide information to the Judge.

This training is provided by the National CASA/GAL Association.

CEU credit: 1 hour.

Lejla Kingsland, BASW, DCBS Family Services Office Supervisor, Juvenile Services will be available to discuss Cabinet services to older children. The discussion will be moderated by CASA of Lexington Volunteer Manager Dennis Stutsman. 

This should be an interesting opportunity to discuss the challenges of placement and treatment options for kids with significant trauma histories, the challenges of preparing them for adulthood, and what to expect for them should they choose to extend commitment if safe and permanent placements are not available.

This training is worth 2 continuing education credit hours and will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 25 at the CASA of Lexington office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. in Lexington. Seats are limited; sign up to attend using the button below.

CASA Volunteer Manager Kyrsten Adkins will lead a court report writing refresher class for CASA of Lexington volunteers at the CASA of Lexington office.

This session will include a review of the court report writing process and helpful tips for how to write the most effective court reports and get results for your CASA children!

This training is worth 2 continuing education credit hours and will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 18 at the CASA of Lexington office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. in Lexington. Seats are limited; register to attend using the button below.

Join CASA of Lexington for a tour of Aspire Day School in Lexington. The school is for children ages 5-17 who have mental health and behavioral issues that prevent them from succeeding in a traditional classroom setting. Behavioral interventionists and therapists work with students daily, focusing heavily on mental health support, with a goal of preparing them to return to the school setting they came from and be successful students. This training will include a tour of the school, allowing CASA volunteers to see some of the classrooms and group rooms where therapy sessions happen. This training is worth 1.0 CEU credits.

The next CASA Book Club discussion will be for the book, “Misplaced Childhood” by Joan Ulsher. The discussion will be held 6-8 p.m. Feb. 5 at the CASA of Lexington office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. in Lexington.

Ulsher will join the discussion from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom for a question-and-answer session.

“Misplaced Childhood” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Shop and as an e-book for Kindle. You can find links to purchase the book at joanulsher.com.

“Misplaced Childhood” description

After foster care, Joan is returned home and subjected to more abuse. How can she be saved?

Misplaced Childhood chronicles one woman’s powerful journey to overcome a tragic past and use her “lived experiences” to inspire others. Wounded by poverty, child abuse, and foster care, Joan Ulsher discovers a purpose-filled life through military service and faith in God. This transformational journey of survival and triumph ultimately leads Joan to become a fierce volunteer advocate for children in foster care, despite not having a dedicated advocate as a child herself. Misplaced Childhood introduces readers to the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) model, where Joan continues exploring childhood memories while highlighting her exceptional advocacy journey shaped by the children whose lives are impacted along the way.

With its candid look at child welfare and advocacy alongside a personal narrative of healing, Misplaced Childhood opens up new levels of compassion for children suffering from abuse and neglect. Impeccably researched and told with great transparency, empathy, and vulnerability, Misplaced Childhood will inspire readers to embrace the vulnerable inner child in us all and take action for America’s forgotten children.

This book contains language about family dysfunction and generational trauma.

Join CASA for a tour of Behavioral Health Group’s (BHG) Lexington Treatment Center at 455 Park Place, Suite 130 in Lexington. Learn about the recovery services provided by BHG that may be appropriate for family members of CASA children while you tour the facility. This tour will also include training on the use of naloxone/Narcan to reverse opioid overdoses and a distribution of naloxone/Narcan to participants.

This event is worth 1 hour of continuing education credit. Two tour times are being offered - 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Register here for the 5-6 p.m. tour time.

Join CASA for a tour of Behavioral Health Group’s (BHG) Lexington Treatment Center at 455 Park Place, Suite 130 in Lexington. Learn about the recovery services provided by BHG that may be appropriate for family members of CASA children while you tour the facility. This tour will also include training on the use of naloxone/Narcan to reverse opioid overdoses and a distribution of naloxone/Narcan to participants.

This event is worth 1 hour of continuing education credit. Two tour times are being offered - 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Register here for the 11 a.m.-12 p.m. tour time.

Join Executive Director Melynda Jamison and fellow CASA volunteers, board members and staff at Condado Tacos for our first Eating Out With CASA social CEU of 2024!

During this lunch event, Melynda will lead an educational discussion that enables CASA volunteers to log the lunch as CEU time in Optima. You can also socialize with others in the CASA community, all while you enjoy delicious tacos and dips!

Everyone will pay for their own meal. If you would like to attend, please RSVP using the button below.

From National CASA:

Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insight from a unique perspective – that of a child.  This webinar will provide a view, from a child's perspective, of the challenges, vulnerabilities, but most importantly, the resilience inherent within young children. Young children, especially those who've experienced maltreatment and the complexities of foster care, navigate their world with a unique lens, influenced by both trauma and hope.

This webinar by Zero to Three highlights the distinction between typical development and the effects of adverse experiences. With a strong emphasis on innovative trauma-informed strategies and the importance of cultural humility, this webinar will empower CASA/GAL staff and volunteers in their advocacy roles.  Participants will leave the webinar with strategies to support CASA/GAL advocacy for young children and their families. 

Dive deep into the core tenets of Mental Health Literacy, encompassing essential topics like combating stigma, gaining insights into mental illnesses, advocating for positive mental health, and navigating the roadmap to professional support. As an added bonus, this webinar will equip you with invaluable strategies to safeguard your own mental well-being as you advocate for others. Gain insights from seasoned clinicians who'll spearhead these webinars, ensuring an insightful learning experience.

This training is offered by the National CASA Association. After you attend, you can log one hour of Continuing Education time in Optima. National CASA will email you a certificate of completion, which you can forward on to your Volunteer Manager.

Dive deep into the core tenets of Mental Health Literacy, encompassing essential topics like combating stigma, gaining insights into mental illnesses, advocating for positive mental health, and navigating the roadmap to professional support. As an added bonus, this webinar will equip you with invaluable strategies to safeguard your own mental well-being as you advocate for others. Gain insights from seasoned clinicians who'll spearhead these webinars, ensuring an insightful learning experience.

This training is offered by the National CASA Association. After you attend, you can log one hour of Continuing Education time in Optima. National CASA will email you a certificate of completion, which you can forward on to your Volunteer Manager.

Webinar participants will understand how relationships play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of a child’s development. From the earliest moments of life, the interactions children have with caregivers and their surrounding environment form the foundation for their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. This webinar, tailored for CASA/GAL staff and volunteers, delves deep into the intertwined nature of relationships and development in the early years. Leveraging the considerable expertise of Zero to Three, the content ensures a comprehensive understanding and actionable insights.

This is a training offered by the National CASA Assoccation. After you attend the training, you can log one hour of Continuing Education time in Optima. National CASA will email you a certificate of completion, which you can forward on to your Volunteer Manager.

On Sept. 23 at 9 a.m., we'll be hiking at the Pinnacles in Berea. The hike is a little steep and closed-toed shoes are recommended. The views at the top are amazing! Executive Director Melynda Jamison will lead this hike and provide an educational component to the conversations so it can be logged for CEU hours. RSVP to mjamison@lexingtonky.org.

Bridges Out of Poverty training helps participants better understand the causes and effects of poverty. This four-hour training will help you put yourself in the shoes of someone living in poverty and see all the obstacles that work against people who would like to emerge from poverty.

This training is being provided by the Heart of Kentucky United Way at the CASA of Lexington office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. in Lexington. It is worth 4 CEU credits.

Seats are limited and will be provided on a first come, first served basis. If you register and all seats are already full, we will place you on a wait list in case of any cancellations.

CASA of Lexington now has a quarterly book club, enabling CASA volunteers to earn CEU credits while reading and discussing together. The first book is “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver.

You can join our bookclubs.com group now if you’d like to discuss with others as you read, and you can make plans to attend our quarterly discussion at the Lexington office on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.

CASA volunteers can earn up to 4 hours of CEU credit every year for reading books. You can also earn unlimited hours of CEU credit for book discussions.

This session will include panelists from FRYSCs, KDE's Student Advisory Council, KY SPIN, LGBTQ groups, KY Refugee Ministries, and the Kentucky Board of Education. The focus of the session is to ensure families and system of care partners know what resources are available to underserved populations within our schools; to provide awareness of the procedures in place that ensure voices of underserved populations are elevated; to know how schools link underserved populations to the identified needed resources; how schools promote inclusivity within schools; and how the needs of underserved populations in schools are identified.

Hosted by UK College of Social Work; intended for foster parents but CASA volunteers are welcome. Led by Carla Jordan, MS: During this CORE (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Teen Training session #1, parents will learn to nurture and promote the well-being of their youth through trauma-informed parenting. This session will help caregivers understand how trauma has impacted the cognitive and emotional development of youth and how youth may respond to those who are in the parental role. To learn more about this program, please feel free to contact Carla Jordan, TRC Training Specialist, at carla.jordan@uky.edu or 1-833-859-3278 (1-833-UKY-FAST). Registration required by Aug. 6.

Behavioral Health Group will lead this Narcan distribution and training at the CASA of Lexington office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. in Lexington, 6-6:30 p.m. on Aug. 8.

There will be a Narcan training followed by a discussion of Behavioral Health Group’s services and how Narcan has benefited the organization’s patients. Presenters will also take any questions from those in attendance.

This training is worth 0.5 CEU credits. If questions take the training beyond its allocated 30 minutes, you can log additional CEU credit time in Optima.

August’s virtual RIAC Learning Series session is scheduled for Friday, August 4th at 10:00 AM EST. The topic is Youth Raised by Caregivers: Youth Focus/Perspective. This session will include a panel of youth with lived experience that will share their journey including the struggles they've encountered, what resources/supports are needed for this population, and resources/services that have been helpful.

This presentation covers the basics of medications such as the difference between OTC and Prescription medications, the information on a prescription, questions to ask the doctor, side effects, and overuse/abuse. Knowledge checks and parenting tips are included to further engage thought and discussion around the safe use and administration of medications.

This presentation gives a general overview of ADHD types and symptoms throughout several developmental stages. A trauma informed approach and co-existing conditions are also discussed. The journey to diagnosis is presented while highlighting various behavior scales frequently used. Finally, treatment options are presented including behavior therapies/parent training, referrals to specialists, floor time and medications. The addendum includes a variety of teaching sheets and resource links for participants’ further research.

Elizabeth Adams, BSW, will educate attendees about the Job Corps program and the benefits offered for youth between the ages of 16 and 24. Attendees will learn about eligibility requirements, receive information about the Job Corps program and Conservation Centers and discuss the current centers and how clients can apply.

This is a virtual training held over Zoom and is worth 0.5 CEU credits. If questions extend the session beyond the planned 30 minutes, participants can log additional CEU credit for the additional time.