Get Trained

Thank you for volunteering with CASA for the Cross Timbers Area. After your application is approved by our Program Director, you will be asked to schedule a pre-training interview with the Program Director, who will talk over next steps with you at that time. This pre-training interview is an essential first step to becoming a CASA advocate.  If you haven’t yet submitted your application or begun this process, please click here to contact us.

Once your application has been processed, all volunteers must complete the trainings below PRIOR to their in-person training. As a prospective volunteer, your training is a mix of self-paced reading and in-person/zoom classroom sessions. Our Program Director will inform you of training dates and timeline during your pre-training interview, as well as give you a Training Verification Sheet where you should sign and date each training item as you complete them. This completed sheet must be turned in at the end of your self-paced training.

Trainings

• Blended Training Curriculum – Contact CASA CTA office for the password to access the Pre-Service Volunteer Curriculum
  • CASA CTA follow the Texas CASA blended curriculum for prospective volunteers, meaning half the training will be completed in-person at the CASA CTA office and half is online and must be completed PRIOR to attending the next session.

• • • • • Pre-Work Sessions – use the CASA Volunteer Manual (download here or hard copy from CASA CTA office) to assist with questions in the Pre-Work Sessions.
          • Complete the Pre-Work Sessions for each session PRIOR to attending the in-person training class.
            • You will need to click the green enroll button on the upper right side of page
        • E-Learning Courses (If you have an issue with accessing these courses, please contact the CASA CTA office)
          * You will need to click the green enroll button on the upper right side of page
          Course 2 – Where you will meet Deshawn Bleux and his family
          Course 4 – Where you will meet Marky Greene and his family
          Course 6 – Where you will meet Maria Amarillo and her family
          Course 7 – Where you will meet Jessica Brown and her familyCourses 1, 3, 5, and 8 will be completed in-person. 
          • CASA CTA Pre Service MOCK Training Schedule 

• OCAST (Online Core Advocacy Skills Training) 
  If you are new to CPS or DFPS, we recommend you complete the OCAST training before your pre-service training. Online Core Advocacy Skills Training or OCAST, was created by Texas CASA to walk you through everything that happens when a child comes to the attention of CPS. Within the course, there are six modules that take one to two hours each to complete, with a quiz at the end of each module. Participants will receive a brief follow-up survey and will be able to print their grades as proof of completion.
  • • • • OCAST Training
        • OCAST training hours are on top of the Blended Training Curriculum (30-hours that are required by Texas CASA).

For more information on training contact Holli Isham, Program Director at programdirector@ctacasa.org or 254-459-4779.