Continuing Education
CASA of Lexington offers many ways for CASA volunteers to earn the 12 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) they need each year. This includes our monthly continuing education trainings, which are also open to the public whenever possible; webinars and trainings from the National CASA Association; approved lists of books, movies and other media; and trainings on relevant topics made available through other organizations. Explore all of our continuing education options below!
Please log your CEU hours in Optima in order to receive credit. The Optima login link and a certificate generator for CEUs that do not provide verification of your completion are available on the Volunteer Dashboard.
Live Training Opportunities
Upcoming live training events, both in-person and virtual, including CASA of Lexington monthly trainings, webinars from National CASA, trainings offered by community partners and more.
BOOK CLUB: “Broken Horses”
6-8 PM August 12
CASA of Lexington Office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. in Lexington
The next book the CASA Book Club is reading is “Broken Horses” by Brandi Carlile. CASA volunteers can receive up to 4 hours of CEU credit for reading the book, and an additional 2 hours of CEU credit for attending the book club discussion 6-8 PM on Aug. 12 at the CASA of Lexington office.
The book is available to borrow in multiple formats (some are waitlisted) from the Bourbon, Fayette, Jessamine and Scott public libraries, as well as digitally through Kentucky Libraries Unbound (participating library card required). Alternatively, you can purchase the audiobook from Libro.fm or search for the book with your favorite bookseller.
Book summary:
Brandi Carlile was born into a musically gifted, impoverished family on the outskirts of Seattle and grew up in a constant state of change, moving from house to house, trailer to trailer, fourteen times in as many years. Though imperfect in every way, her dysfunctional childhood was as beautiful as it was strange, and as nurturing as it was difficult. At the age of five, Brandi contracted bacterial meningitis, which almost took her life, leaving an indelible mark on her formative years and altering her journey into young adulthood.
As an openly gay teenager, Brandi grappled with the tension between her sexuality and her faith when her pastor publicly refused to baptize her on the day of the ceremony. Shockingly, her small town rallied around Brandi in support and set her on a path to salvation where the rest of the misfits and rejects find it: through twisted, joyful, weird, and wonderful music.
Educational Podcasts
Podcasts are one of the easiest ways to complete CEU credits. Check out many educational options here!
Educational Shows, Movies and Documentaries
Watch these pre-approved videos on popular streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, or borrow them from your local public library.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training
All CASA volunteers, staff members and board members are required to complete training on diversity, equity and inclusion each year. Find information about available training opportunities here.
Local Recorded Trainings
You can watch many previous CASA of Lexington continuing education trainings.
All Children All Families Webinars
The complete catalog of recorded webinars from All Children All Families provides excellent, comprehensive training on LGBTQ inclusion and affirmation.
Recorded Trainings from National CASA
National CASA provides access to many recorded virtual trainings through their annual course catalogs.
The catalogs include clickable links to start the trainings. You should be asked for your email when you begin a training, and you will be emailed a certificate verifying completion afterward. Please forward your certificate to office@casaoflexington.org.
KCN Continuing Education
Kentucky CASA Network maintains a large collection of CEU-approved materials and trainings, which you can choose from on their website.
After completing a training or approved CEU material, please forward any certificate you receive to office@casaoflexington.org, or fill out our online CEU credit form here.
On-Demand CEU Archive
Check out our list of various other resources that can count toward your CEU hours.
National CASA Reading Lists
All books and media on these lists are approved to count toward your annual CEU requirements. Please remember that no more than 4 of your required 12 hours can come from reading books and articles. This restriction does not apply to videos, podcasts, etc.
Core Model and Guiding Principles
This six-minute training is required every year for all CASA volunteer advocates, board members and staff. Please click below to watch. Volunteer advocates: You do not need to fill out a CEU credit form for this training; you will need to sign that you have watched during your annual evaluation.