Ohio CASA announces new trainings as part of first ever statewide volunteer in-service sessions
Multiple free, online trainings open to all CASA volunteers, staff looking to obtain needed training credits
The Ohio CASA/GAL Association is announcing the next round of free, online volunteer in-service training sessions for CASA volunteers and staff members across Ohio.
In a first-of-its-kind effort, Ohio CASA will host multiple in-service training sessions throughout 2026. Participants can earn up to 2 hours of continuing education training per course.
CASA volunteers must complete at least 12 hours of in-service continuing education training annually. This standard helps volunteers remain updated on current child welfare trends and maintain high-quality advocacy for children.
The first two sessions were held in March and May. The next round of trainings will be held in June, October, and December.
The in-service training sessions will cover essential child welfare topics like identifying needed mental health resources for youth and communicating with children with special needs.
If you have an interest in completing any of the in-service trainings, read the descriptions below and click the REGISTER button. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
2026 Ohio Statewide Volunteer In-Service Trainings: Second Round
June 29, 2026, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Becoming the Superhero You’ve Always Aspired to Be
Presented by Chaplain Cary A. Friedman, Associate Director of the Law Enforcement Survival Institute (LESI)
Perhaps it was idealism, a commitment to justice, a regard for people, or a desire to do good in the world that prompted you to service as a CASA volunteer. This course recognizes the profoundly heroic instinct that brought you into the CASA volunteer role and teaches you how to preserve it and even make it grow. CASA volunteers will learn to acknowledge and embrace this ambition and follow practical guidelines.
October 21, 2026, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Mental Health and the Juvenile Justice System
Presented by Michaela “Chae” Little, LISW-S, LICDC, Outpatient Telehealth Therapist, Lindner Center of HOPE
Mental health concerns can impact parenting capacity, child safety, and other issues frequently encountered in juvenile court. This presentation will help CASA volunteers understand how to effectively interact with mental health systems and recognize potential mental health concerns. It will provide an overview of referral processes, along with guidance on when and how to recommend mental health services. The session will also include a discussion of common diagnoses and associated trauma.
December 3, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Communication with Child Victims with Special Needs
Presented by Dermot Whelan, Police Sgt., Retired, Senior Consultant, Modell Consulting Group, LLC
Working with children with disabilities requires sensitivity, flexibility, and an understanding that each child and family experiences disability differently. This session will equip CASA volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively communicate with child victims with disabilities and to ensure their voices are meaningfully heard throughout the court process. Participants will explore how disability may intersect with trauma, safety concerns, and service access, helping volunteers advocate more effectively for children and families involved in juvenile court.