Skip to content
CHILDHOOD DISRUPTED: HOW YOUR BIOGRAPHY BECOMES YOUR BIOLOGY, AND HOW YOU CAN HEAL
Author: Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Description: Shows the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult illnesses such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer—Childhood Disrupted also explains how to cope and heal from these emotional traumas.
The power of moments
Author: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Description: This book delves into some fascinating mysteries of experience: Why we tend to remember the best or worst moment of an experience and the last moment and forget the rest. Why “we feel most comfortable when things are certain, but we feel most alive when they’re not.” And why our most cherished memories are clustered into a brief period during our youth.
SPILLED MILK: BASED ON A TRUE STORE
Author: K.L. Randis
Description: Brooke Nolan is a battered child who makes an anonymous phone call to social services about the escalating brutality in her home. In her pursuit of safety and justice, Brooke battles a broken system that pushes to keep her father in the home, and she risks losing the support of her family, coming to the realization that some people simply do not want to be saved. Spilled Milk is a novel of shocking narrative, triumph, and resiliency.
Losing Isaiah
Author: Seth Margolis
Description: A social worker adopts an abandoned baby, but years later, the formerly drug-addicted birth mother returns and goes to court to regain custody of her son.
Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal
Author: Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Description: Shows the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult illnesses such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer—Childhood Disrupted also explains how to cope and heal from these emotional traumas.
to the end of june
Author: Cris Beam
Description: Beam shows us the intricacies of growing up in the system—the back-and-forth with agencies, the rootless shuffling between homes, the emotionally charged tug between foster and birth parents, the terrifying push out of foster care and into adulthood. Humanizing and challenging a broken system, To the End of June offers a tribute to resiliency and hope for real change.
Out of the Woods
Author: Gregg Oslen
Description: The book is a true crime non-fiction account that focuses on the life of Shasta Groene following her 2005 kidnapping and the murder of her family. A key part of her post-trauma story includes her experiences with various systems intended to help her heal, which she describes as often being unhelpful or even harmful.
CASA ON THE GO
Host: Texas CASA
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: This continuing education podcast connects CASA volunteers with engaging and relevant training designed to help strengthen advocacy for children and families. Each short, dynamic episode features informative discussions with subject matter experts exploring topics connected to child welfare and practical tips for informed CASA advocacy.
NATIONAL CASA PODCAST
Host: National CASA
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: In this series of interviews, we update you on National CASA, alert you to legislative action, share experiences from program staff and volunteers in the network, and direct first-person accounts from the youth we serve. In addition, you will learn essential staff and volunteer skills to help you advocate for abused and neglected kids.
CASEYCAST
Host: Lisa Hamilton, President & CEO, Annie E. Casey Foundation
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Welcome to the Annie E. Casey Foundation podcast. A monthly conversation focuses on how we can work together to build a brighter future for kids, families, and communities
The forgotten podcast
Host: The Forgotten Initiative
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Whether you are a part of the foster care community, passionate about serving, or simply interested in learning more, we are here for you!
child welfare information gateway
Host: A Service of the Children’s Bureau
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: The Child Welfare Information Gateway Podcast shares the innovations, lessons, and perspectives of those working to improve the child welfare system. Our mission is to help adoption, foster care, and child safety caseworkers by exploring new ideas and practices making a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families. Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services.
One in ten national children’s alliance
Host: National Children’s Alliance
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Engaging the brightest minds working to solve one of the world’s toughest challenges—child abuse. Join us for conversations with leading experts on science, law, medicine, morality, and messaging. This podcast is brought to you by the National Children’s Alliance, the largest network of care centers in the US serving child abuse victims. Visit us on-line at nationalchildrensalliance.org.
Doin’ the work
Host: Shimon Cohen
CE Credits: Podcast highlighting people working for social change. Interviews with social workers and those in related fields, educators, and activists about their work and personal stories of how they got into this work. Hosted by Shimon Cohen, LCSW.
trauma-informed lens podcast
Host: Matthew Bennett
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: The trauma-informed paradigm challenges traditional views and approaches in various areas of education, social work, psychology, and public health. Each week the Trauma-Informed Lens Podcasters Curt Mower, Jerry Yager, and Matthew Bennett explore aspects of the trauma-informed paradigm and how it challenges traditional views of service delivery and current events. Join the revolution!
unlocking us with brene brown
Host: Brene Brown
CE Credits: I’ve spent over 20 years studying the emotions and experiences that bring meaning and purpose to our lives, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: We are hardwired for connection, and connecting requires courage, vulnerability, and conversation. I want this to be an actual, unpolished, honest podcast that reflects both the magic and the messiness of what it means to be human.
Armchair Expert with Dax shephard
Host: Dax Shephard
CE Credits: Hi, I’m Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people’s stories. We will celebrate, above all, the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment.
Hidden Brain
Host: Hidden Brain
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.
do no harm
Host: Melissa Bright
CE Credits: Melissa Bright thinks she’s living every parent’s worst nightmare when her five-month-old baby tumbles from a lawn chair and hits his head on the driveway. But after she rushes him to the hospital, a new nightmare begins. The Brights are thrust into a medical and legal system so focused on protecting children from the abuse it has targeted innocent parents. With exclusive audio captured as the events unfolded, this harrowing six-episode series takes you inside the Brights’ fight to hold their family together against a system that can sometimes do more harm than good.
important: log continuing education hours in optima
Instructions:
- Log in to your Optima account. Locate the ‘Training‘ tab. From there, you can add a training under ‘In-Service Training‘.
- Schedule Date & Complete Date should reflect the day you started the training and the day you completed the training.
- Training Topic should reflect the type of material you learned about.
- Training Format reflects how you obtained the information.
- Trainer indicates whether or not this was a person facilitating or if it was media.
- Hours should be entered in quarter hour increments (.15, .5, .75, 1.5, etc.)
- Mileage documents how far you traveled for a CE opportunity.
- Notes can be as short as three sentences that explain the type of information you learned about. How did this relate to your advocacy? What are your major take-aways? If it was a class or workshop, who offered it? Please allow time for CASA staff to review and approve your submissions.
Continuing education Calendar
Below you will find training videos created by our CASA Case Supervisors to help support you in your role as a volunteer. These videos are designed as refreshers on core best practices, including navigating Optima, handling challenging situations, gathering information for court, writing effective court reports, and understanding the importance of confidentiality. We hope these resources give you clarity, confidence, and continued support as you advocate for children in foster care.
important: log continuing education hours in optima
Instructions:
- Log in to your Optima account. Locate the ‘Training‘ tab. From there, you can add a training under ‘In-Service Training‘.
- Schedule Date & Complete Date should reflect the day you started the training and the day you completed the training.
- Training Topic should reflect the type of material you learned about.
- Training Format reflects how you obtained the information.
- Trainer indicates whether or not this was a person facilitating or if it was media.
- Hours should be entered in quarter hour increments (.15, .5, .75, 1.5, etc.)
- Mileage documents how far you traveled for a CE opportunity.
- Notes can be as short as three sentences that explain the type of information you learned about. How did this relate to your advocacy? What are your major take-aways? If it was a class or workshop, who offered it? Please allow time for CASA staff to review and approve your submissions.
Continuing education Calendar
Below you will find training videos created by our CASA Case Supervisors to help support you in your role as a volunteer. These videos are designed as refreshers on core best practices, including navigating Optima, handling challenging situations, gathering information for court, writing effective court reports, and understanding the importance of confidentiality. We hope these resources give you clarity, confidence, and continued support as you advocate for children in foster care.
space
To stay updated on topics relevant to your advocacy, CASA volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually. For new volunteers, this requirement is prorated based on the portion of the year they have served. This applies to all sworn volunteers, regardless of whether they are currently assigned to a case.
To promote a well-rounded learning experience, volunteers may complete up to 4 hours each year of continuing education by reading books. You can also receive CE credit for reading related articles or research that offer relevant insights on your case or foster care in general. There are no limits on other independent study options, such as documentary series, educational films, recorded webinars, or podcasts.
Below, you’ll find some of our top recommendations for advocacy materials. Click the drop-down in each section to learn more.
Losing Isaiah
Author: Seth Margolis
Description: A social worker adopts an abandoned baby, but years later, the formerly drug-addicted birth mother returns and goes to court to regain custody of her son.
Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal
Author: Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Description: Shows the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult illnesses such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer—Childhood Disrupted also explains how to cope and heal from these emotional traumas.
to the end of june
Author: Cris Beam
Description: Beam shows us the intricacies of growing up in the system—the back-and-forth with agencies, the rootless shuffling between homes, the emotionally charged tug between foster and birth parents, the terrifying push out of foster care and into adulthood. Humanizing and challenging a broken system, To the End of June offers a tribute to resiliency and hope for real change.
Out of the Woods
Author: Gregg Oslen
Description: The book is a true crime non-fiction account that focuses on the life of Shasta Groene following her 2005 kidnapping and the murder of her family. A key part of her post-trauma story includes her experiences with various systems intended to help her heal, which she describes as often being unhelpful or even harmful.
CASA ON THE GO
Host: Texas CASA
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: This continuing education podcast connects CASA volunteers with engaging and relevant training designed to help strengthen advocacy for children and families. Each short, dynamic episode features informative discussions with subject matter experts exploring topics connected to child welfare and practical tips for informed CASA advocacy.
NATIONAL CASA PODCAST
Host: National CASA
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: In this series of interviews, we update you on National CASA, alert you to legislative action, share experiences from program staff and volunteers in the network, and direct first-person accounts from the youth we serve. In addition, you will learn essential staff and volunteer skills to help you advocate for abused and neglected kids.
CASEYCAST
Host: Lisa Hamilton, President & CEO, Annie E. Casey Foundation
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Welcome to the Annie E. Casey Foundation podcast. A monthly conversation focuses on how we can work together to build a brighter future for kids, families, and communities
The forgotten podcast
Host: The Forgotten Initiative
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Whether you are a part of the foster care community, passionate about serving, or simply interested in learning more, we are here for you!
child welfare information gateway
Host: A Service of the Children’s Bureau
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: The Child Welfare Information Gateway Podcast shares the innovations, lessons, and perspectives of those working to improve the child welfare system. Our mission is to help adoption, foster care, and child safety caseworkers by exploring new ideas and practices making a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families. Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services.
One in ten national children’s alliance
Host: National Children’s Alliance
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Engaging the brightest minds working to solve one of the world’s toughest challenges—child abuse. Join us for conversations with leading experts on science, law, medicine, morality, and messaging. This podcast is brought to you by the National Children’s Alliance, the largest network of care centers in the US serving child abuse victims. Visit us on-line at nationalchildrensalliance.org.
Doin’ the work
Host: Shimon Cohen
CE Credits: Podcast highlighting people working for social change. Interviews with social workers and those in related fields, educators, and activists about their work and personal stories of how they got into this work. Hosted by Shimon Cohen, LCSW.
trauma-informed lens podcast
Host: Matthew Bennett
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: The trauma-informed paradigm challenges traditional views and approaches in various areas of education, social work, psychology, and public health. Each week the Trauma-Informed Lens Podcasters Curt Mower, Jerry Yager, and Matthew Bennett explore aspects of the trauma-informed paradigm and how it challenges traditional views of service delivery and current events. Join the revolution!
unlocking us with brene brown
Host: Brene Brown
CE Credits: I’ve spent over 20 years studying the emotions and experiences that bring meaning and purpose to our lives, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: We are hardwired for connection, and connecting requires courage, vulnerability, and conversation. I want this to be an actual, unpolished, honest podcast that reflects both the magic and the messiness of what it means to be human.
Armchair Expert with Dax shephard
Host: Dax Shephard
CE Credits: Hi, I’m Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people’s stories. We will celebrate, above all, the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment.
Hidden Brain
Host: Hidden Brain
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.
do no harm
Host: Melissa Bright
CE Credits: Melissa Bright thinks she’s living every parent’s worst nightmare when her five-month-old baby tumbles from a lawn chair and hits his head on the driveway. But after she rushes him to the hospital, a new nightmare begins. The Brights are thrust into a medical and legal system so focused on protecting children from the abuse it has targeted innocent parents. With exclusive audio captured as the events unfolded, this harrowing six-episode series takes you inside the Brights’ fight to hold their family together against a system that can sometimes do more harm than good.
important: log continuing education hours in optima
Instructions:
- Log in to your Optima account. Locate the ‘Training‘ tab. From there, you can add a training under ‘In-Service Training‘.
- Schedule Date & Complete Date should reflect the day you started the training and the day you completed the training.
- Training Topic should reflect the type of material you learned about.
- Training Format reflects how you obtained the information.
- Trainer indicates whether or not this was a person facilitating or if it was media.
- Hours should be entered in quarter hour increments (.15, .5, .75, 1.5, etc.)
- Mileage documents how far you traveled for a CE opportunity.
- Notes can be as short as three sentences that explain the type of information you learned about. How did this relate to your advocacy? What are your major take-aways? If it was a class or workshop, who offered it? Please allow time for CASA staff to review and approve your submissions.
Continuing education Calendar
Below you will find training videos created by our CASA Case Supervisors to help support you in your role as a volunteer. These videos are designed as refreshers on core best practices, including navigating Optima, handling challenging situations, gathering information for court, writing effective court reports, and understanding the importance of confidentiality. We hope these resources give you clarity, confidence, and continued support as you advocate for children in foster care.
CHILDHOOD DISRUPTED: HOW YOUR BIOGRAPHY BECOMES YOUR BIOLOGY, AND HOW YOU CAN HEAL
Author: Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Description: Shows the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult illnesses such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer—Childhood Disrupted also explains how to cope and heal from these emotional traumas.
The power of moments
Author: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Description: This book delves into some fascinating mysteries of experience: Why we tend to remember the best or worst moment of an experience and the last moment and forget the rest. Why “we feel most comfortable when things are certain, but we feel most alive when they’re not.” And why our most cherished memories are clustered into a brief period during our youth.
SPILLED MILK: BASED ON A TRUE STORE
Author: K.L. Randis
Description: Brooke Nolan is a battered child who makes an anonymous phone call to social services about the escalating brutality in her home. In her pursuit of safety and justice, Brooke battles a broken system that pushes to keep her father in the home, and she risks losing the support of her family, coming to the realization that some people simply do not want to be saved. Spilled Milk is a novel of shocking narrative, triumph, and resiliency.
Losing Isaiah
Author: Seth Margolis
Description: A social worker adopts an abandoned baby, but years later, the formerly drug-addicted birth mother returns and goes to court to regain custody of her son.
Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal
Author: Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Description: Shows the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult illnesses such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer—Childhood Disrupted also explains how to cope and heal from these emotional traumas.
to the end of june
Author: Cris Beam
Description: Beam shows us the intricacies of growing up in the system—the back-and-forth with agencies, the rootless shuffling between homes, the emotionally charged tug between foster and birth parents, the terrifying push out of foster care and into adulthood. Humanizing and challenging a broken system, To the End of June offers a tribute to resiliency and hope for real change.
Out of the Woods
Author: Gregg Oslen
Description: The book is a true crime non-fiction account that focuses on the life of Shasta Groene following her 2005 kidnapping and the murder of her family. A key part of her post-trauma story includes her experiences with various systems intended to help her heal, which she describes as often being unhelpful or even harmful.
CASA ON THE GO
Host: Texas CASA
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: This continuing education podcast connects CASA volunteers with engaging and relevant training designed to help strengthen advocacy for children and families. Each short, dynamic episode features informative discussions with subject matter experts exploring topics connected to child welfare and practical tips for informed CASA advocacy.
NATIONAL CASA PODCAST
Host: National CASA
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: In this series of interviews, we update you on National CASA, alert you to legislative action, share experiences from program staff and volunteers in the network, and direct first-person accounts from the youth we serve. In addition, you will learn essential staff and volunteer skills to help you advocate for abused and neglected kids.
CASEYCAST
Host: Lisa Hamilton, President & CEO, Annie E. Casey Foundation
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Welcome to the Annie E. Casey Foundation podcast. A monthly conversation focuses on how we can work together to build a brighter future for kids, families, and communities
The forgotten podcast
Host: The Forgotten Initiative
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Whether you are a part of the foster care community, passionate about serving, or simply interested in learning more, we are here for you!
child welfare information gateway
Host: A Service of the Children’s Bureau
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: The Child Welfare Information Gateway Podcast shares the innovations, lessons, and perspectives of those working to improve the child welfare system. Our mission is to help adoption, foster care, and child safety caseworkers by exploring new ideas and practices making a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families. Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services.
One in ten national children’s alliance
Host: National Children’s Alliance
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Engaging the brightest minds working to solve one of the world’s toughest challenges—child abuse. Join us for conversations with leading experts on science, law, medicine, morality, and messaging. This podcast is brought to you by the National Children’s Alliance, the largest network of care centers in the US serving child abuse victims. Visit us on-line at nationalchildrensalliance.org.
Doin’ the work
Host: Shimon Cohen
CE Credits: Podcast highlighting people working for social change. Interviews with social workers and those in related fields, educators, and activists about their work and personal stories of how they got into this work. Hosted by Shimon Cohen, LCSW.
trauma-informed lens podcast
Host: Matthew Bennett
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: The trauma-informed paradigm challenges traditional views and approaches in various areas of education, social work, psychology, and public health. Each week the Trauma-Informed Lens Podcasters Curt Mower, Jerry Yager, and Matthew Bennett explore aspects of the trauma-informed paradigm and how it challenges traditional views of service delivery and current events. Join the revolution!
unlocking us with brene brown
Host: Brene Brown
CE Credits: I’ve spent over 20 years studying the emotions and experiences that bring meaning and purpose to our lives, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: We are hardwired for connection, and connecting requires courage, vulnerability, and conversation. I want this to be an actual, unpolished, honest podcast that reflects both the magic and the messiness of what it means to be human.
Armchair Expert with Dax shephard
Host: Dax Shephard
CE Credits: Hi, I’m Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people’s stories. We will celebrate, above all, the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment.
Hidden Brain
Host: Hidden Brain
CE Credits: Time listened = CE credits
Description: Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.
do no harm
Host: Melissa Bright
CE Credits: Melissa Bright thinks she’s living every parent’s worst nightmare when her five-month-old baby tumbles from a lawn chair and hits his head on the driveway. But after she rushes him to the hospital, a new nightmare begins. The Brights are thrust into a medical and legal system so focused on protecting children from the abuse it has targeted innocent parents. With exclusive audio captured as the events unfolded, this harrowing six-episode series takes you inside the Brights’ fight to hold their family together against a system that can sometimes do more harm than good.
important: log continuing education hours in optima
Instructions:
- Log in to your Optima account. Locate the ‘Training‘ tab. From there, you can add a training under ‘In-Service Training‘.
- Schedule Date & Complete Date should reflect the day you started the training and the day you completed the training.
- Training Topic should reflect the type of material you learned about.
- Training Format reflects how you obtained the information.
- Trainer indicates whether or not this was a person facilitating or if it was media.
- Hours should be entered in quarter hour increments (.15, .5, .75, 1.5, etc.)
- Mileage documents how far you traveled for a CE opportunity.
- Notes can be as short as three sentences that explain the type of information you learned about. How did this relate to your advocacy? What are your major take-aways? If it was a class or workshop, who offered it? Please allow time for CASA staff to review and approve your submissions.
Continuing education Calendar
Below you will find training videos created by our CASA Case Supervisors to help support you in your role as a volunteer. These videos are designed as refreshers on core best practices, including navigating Optima, handling challenging situations, gathering information for court, writing effective court reports, and understanding the importance of confidentiality. We hope these resources give you clarity, confidence, and continued support as you advocate for children in foster care.
important: log continuing education hours in optima
Instructions:
- Log in to your Optima account. Locate the ‘Training‘ tab. From there, you can add a training under ‘In-Service Training‘.
- Schedule Date & Complete Date should reflect the day you started the training and the day you completed the training.
- Training Topic should reflect the type of material you learned about.
- Training Format reflects how you obtained the information.
- Trainer indicates whether or not this was a person facilitating or if it was media.
- Hours should be entered in quarter hour increments (.15, .5, .75, 1.5, etc.)
- Mileage documents how far you traveled for a CE opportunity.
- Notes can be as short as three sentences that explain the type of information you learned about. How did this relate to your advocacy? What are your major take-aways? If it was a class or workshop, who offered it? Please allow time for CASA staff to review and approve your submissions.
Continuing education Calendar
Below you will find training videos created by our CASA Case Supervisors to help support you in your role as a volunteer. These videos are designed as refreshers on core best practices, including navigating Optima, handling challenging situations, gathering information for court, writing effective court reports, and understanding the importance of confidentiality. We hope these resources give you clarity, confidence, and continued support as you advocate for children in foster care.