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.

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.

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.

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.

Note: this is one of two opportunities for the same informational session. This session occurs on April 19. The same session is also offered on April 5.

This virtual continuing education opportunity from 6 to 6:30 p.m. on April 19 will provide participants with information about the Helping Hands Wellness Program, a service of the Rhema Word Foundation. The HHWP helps connect women, children and survivors of abuse to health and wellness supports in the community, including assistance with food, clothing, finances, housing, utilities and financial literacy. These services may be valuable for some families served by CASA of Lexington.

This informational session is virtual-only, offered through Zoom. You can register using the button below. This informational session is worth 0.5 CEU credits for CASA of Lexington volunteers. If questions lengthen the time of the session, volunteers in attendance will receive additional CEU credit.

This webinar from National CASA will discuss educational barriers that children in foster care face including educational instability, special education programming, and roadblocks to graduation

Attendees will be equipped with strategies to comprehensively address individual and systemic barriers to quality public education using existing protections and strategies.

In-service credit: 1 hour

Note: this is one of two opportunities for the same informational session. This session occurs on April 5. The same session will also be offered April 19.

This continuing education opportunity will provide participants with information about the Helping Hands Wellness Program, a service of the Rhema Word Foundation. The HHWP helps connect women, children and survivors of abuse to health and wellness supports in the community, including assistance with food, clothing, finances, housing, utilities and financial literacy. These services may be valuable for some families served by CASA of Lexington.

This informational session is hybrid: You may attend in-person at the CASA of Lexington office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. in Lexington, or virtually on Zoom. RSVP for either attendance option below. This informational session is worth 0.5 CEU credits for CASA of Lexington volunteers. If questions lengthen the time of the session, volunteers in attendance will receive additional CEU credit.

This virtual training opportunity will teach CASA volunteers about what services Necco provides for youth who recommit to the state at 18.

Necco is contracted by the state to provide Independent Living skills. Any foster care youth who decides to recommit to the state is able to be in an Independent Living Program (18-21). The youth’s Social Worker would send out a referral and allow Necco the opportunity to interview the youth to see if they are a good fit for Independent Living.

Youth in the Necco program receive an apartment, furniture, monthly stipend, life coaches, cell phone and more. The life coaches assist the youth in many ways as they prepare for adulthood.

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

Aetna SKY is excited to announce a 3-part training series for parents on Trauma-Informed Care and Building Resilience in Children and Families – created by Bounce. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to become fully informed about trauma and the effects on children, adults and families – as well as how to help children and parents cope with trauma. During this 3-part series, parents will learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): the causes and impact of childhood trauma; how to identify signs and symptoms of traumatic stress; and steps to build resilience in children and families.

Use the button below to access links to each training:

Aetna SKY is excited to announce a 3-part training series for parents on Trauma-Informed Care and Building Resilience in Children and Families – created by Bounce. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to become fully informed about trauma and the effects on children, adults and families – as well as how to help children and parents cope with trauma. During this 3-part series, parents will learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): the causes and impact of childhood trauma; how to identify signs and symptoms of traumatic stress; and steps to build resilience in children and families.

Use the button below to access links to each training:

This two-day training is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 6 and 7. CASA volunteers can receive 14 hours of CEU credit for this training, which will complete all of your 2023 CEU requirements except for completing a DEI training of any length.

You can learn more and register by clicking the button below:

Aetna SKY is excited to announce a 3-part training series for parents on Trauma-Informed Care and Building Resilience in Children and Families – created by Bounce. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to become fully informed about trauma and the effects on children, adults and families – as well as how to help children and parents cope with trauma. During this 3-part series, parents will learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): the causes and impact of childhood trauma; how to identify signs and symptoms of traumatic stress; and steps to build resilience in children and families.

Use the button below to access links to each training:

Maryland CASA Association is hosting this virtual training for CASA volunteers. You can read more and register to attend using the link below:

This training is worth 1.5 CEUs. You can receive credit by forwarding a certificate of completion to office@casaoflexington.org or using our CEU credit form.

Testifying in Court can be a daunting part of the CASA volunteer role. Join us on at 2 p.m. on Feb. 22 for a webinar providing CASA volunteers and staff with guidelines for preparing for court, as well as testifying in person and via video conference. Attendees will hear information regarding common issues that may occur during a CASA/GAL volunteer's testimony.

Attendees will receive 1 hour of in-service credit.

Monthly CASA of Lexington Training

This training will be in-person at the CASA of Lexington office and led by the Lexington Pride Center. It focuses on understanding, working with and advocating for LGBTQ youth. This training is open to the public. CASA of Lexington volunteers will earn 1.5 CEU credits by attending. A virtual attendance option is available.

CASA of Lexington Monthly CEU

Join CASA of Lexington and four area attorneys working in Kentucky's dependency, neglect and abuse (DNA) courts for a discussion of attorneys' perspectives on working with CASAs.

Attendees will learn what attorneys find valuable from CASA volunteers and provide insight on how to navigate obstacles that hinder CASA volunteers’ success. CASA volunteers will gain a better understanding of how others in the courtroom see their work, improving their abilities to build collaborative solutions for abused and neglected children.

This panel discussion will be held at the Georgetown Police Department, 550 Bourbon St. in Georgetown, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, 2022. A virtual attendance option via Zoom is also available. This event is worth 2 CEU credits for CASA of Lexington volunteers. CLE credit for Kentucky Attorneys is being worked on.