ProKids

Snapshot
2021-01-27 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join us at noon on Wednesday, January 27!

Because you will be the problem-solver, the researcher, the one person who can connect the pieces and put an abused and neglected child’s life back together. You will be the one who understands what’s in the best interest of the child you serve and who will call on others to make that a priority.
It all starts with attending this Snapshot. At a Snapshot you will learn about how we can provide training and support for you to become a CASA Volunteer in Hamilton County. Snapshots are free and you will not be asked for a donation.

CASA University Class One (Online)
2021-01-19 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
The CASA Volunteer Role in the Child Protection System

All prospective CASA Volunteers must take this class first as part of CASA University. To get signed up, attend a Snapshot session or please contact Zulema Ghohestani at zghohestani@prokids.org.
In this class, you’ll learn about the history of the CASA Volunteer role both nationally and locally, as well as how your role fits into the entire child protection system. Additionally, you will learn more about Hamilton County Job & Family Services (JFS) and how it works to protect children and serve families in our community.
“This training has been partially funded through a contract between Ohio CASA and the Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio CASA supports local CASA/GAL programs throughout Ohio with training, technical assistance, legislative support, and standards implementation so volunteers may advocate for abused, neglected and dependent children in the court system.”

Martin Luther King Day – ProKids closed
2021-01-18 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Detroit)

Snapshot
2021-01-12 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Join us at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 12!

Because you will be the problem-solver, the researcher, the one person who can connect the pieces and put an abused and neglected child’s life back together. You will be the one who understands what’s in the best interest of the child you serve and who will call on others to make that a priority.
It all starts with attending this Snapshot. At a Snapshot you will learn about how we can provide training and support for you to become a CASA Volunteer in Hamilton County. Snapshots are free and you will not be asked for a donation.

New Year's Day – ProKids closed
2021-01-01 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Detroit)

Christmas Day – ProKids closed
2020-12-25 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Detroit)

CASA University Class One (Online Session)
2020-12-14 16:45 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Home

CASA University Class Seven (Online Session)
2020-12-03 09:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Home
Gathering and Communicating Information

All CASA’s in Training must attend class one prior to attending classes two-seven.
In this session, you’ll learn about what information is important to gather as well as who to contact and where to get accurate and meaningful information, how to keep track of this information, what information is important to present to the court, and how to write an effective court report. Additionally, you will learn how to effectively communicate with others who may be in crisis or with whom there may be a conflict.

Snapshot
2020-12-02 17:30 - 18:30, 2020-11-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-10-26 09:00 - 10:00, 2020-10-15 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Home
ProKids volunteers say being a CASA Volunteer is different from other volunteer roles. You are empowered. You will make a difference.

Why? Because you will be the problem-solver, the researcher, the one person who can connect the pieces and put an abused and neglected child’s life back together. You will be the one who understands what’s in the best interest of the child you serve and who will call on others to make that a priority.

CASA University Class One (Online Session)
2020-12-02 09:15 - 12:30, 2020-11-23 16:45 - 20:00, 2020-11-09 09:15 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Home
The CASA Volunteer Role in the Child Protection System

All prospective CASA Volunteers must take this class first as part of CASA University. To get signed up, attend a Snapshot session or please contact Zulema Ghohestani at zghohestani@prokids.org.
In this class, you’ll learn about the history of the CASA Volunteer role both nationally and locally, as well as how your role fits into the entire child protection system. Additionally, you will learn more about Hamilton County Job & Family Services (JFS) and how it works to protect children and serve families in our community.

Thanksgiving holiday – ProKids closed
2020-11-27 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Detroit)

Thanksgiving Day – ProKids closed
2020-11-26 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Detroit)

CASA University Class Six (Online Session)
2020-11-18 09:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Home
Supportive Services for Children and Families

All CASA’s in Training must attend class one prior to attending classes two-seven.
In this session, participants will learn about supportive services available to young people and families involved in the child protection system as well

CASA University Class Four (Online Session)
2020-11-16 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Home
Working with Diverse Families and Individuals

All CASA’s in Training must attend class one prior to attending classes two-seven.
In this session, prospective CASA Volunteers will learn how to identify strengths in families as well as how to work as a volunteer in an inclusive and equitable manner. CASA Volunteers will explore the bias and expectations they bring to the role and identify future work they want to complete to learn about populations different from themselves.

ProKids Book Club (Online Session)
2020-11-12 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Detroit)
The book we are reading is “Three Little Words,” by Ashley Rhodes-Courter.
An inspiring true story of the tumultuous nine years Ashley Rhodes-Courter spent in the foster care system, and how she triumphed over painful memories and real-life horrors to ultimately find her own voice.
Participants who read the book will receive 4 hours of continuing education for reading the book and an additional hour for attending the online meeting. During the meeting there will be some guided discussion as we discuss our thoughts, the book’s impact, and share insights we had while reading.
To buy the book:

Veterans' Day – ProKids closed
2020-11-11 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Detroit)

JFS 201: Understanding and Communicating With Children's Services - postponed
2020-11-05 09:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Home
Participants will receive instruction for understanding and communicating with JFS.

In this course:
1. Participants will understand the Children’s Services vision, “To treat all families involved with Children’s Services with dignity, empathy and as a partner in our core belief that all children and families deserve to be safe.”
2. Participants will learn some of the roles and tasks of Children’s Services staff.
3. Participants will learn communication strategies for working with the Children’s Services worker assigned to a ProKids case.
4. Participants will learn about how Children’s Services staff manage situations where children are unsafe and when they seek court intervention.
5. Participants will understand how Children’s Services handles the process for behavior change and the tools used (the Case Plan, Case Review, SAR).
6. Participants will understand the possible outcomes for a Children’s Services case and the decision process.

Election Day – ProKids closes at noon
2020-11-03 12:00 - 16:30 (America/Detroit)

Building Blocks (Online Session)
2020-10-29 09:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Home
The ProKids Building Blocks program provides specialized training for CASA volunteers who work with children ages birth through 5 years old. Building Blocks CASA Volunteers receive additional training in assessment of child development, caregiver/child interaction, trauma, medical care, the law, resources and services.
CASA volunteers are asked to complete the required training within a year of being assigned a Building Blocks case.
Training will be presented by the ProKids Building Blocks Program Manager. In addition to presenting training like this, the Program Manager is available to consult on cases involving children ages birth through 5 years old. Along with your CASA Manager, the Program Manager can assist you in accessing information and resources.
This is a recurring course. If you have already participated, you are welcome to come again – as some of the material has been updated – but you do not need to attend a second time.
“This training has been partially funded through a contract between Ohio CASA and the Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio CASA supports local CASA/GAL programs throughout Ohio with training, technical assistance, legislative support, and standards implementation so volunteers may advocate for abused, neglected and dependent children in the court system.”

CASA University Class Three (Online Session)
2020-10-28 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Home
Navigating the Child Protection Legal Process

All CASA’s in Training must attend class one prior to attending classes two-seven.
In this session, prospective CASA volunteers will learn the lifecycle of a child protection case and the laws that define that lifecycle. Additionally, prospective CASA volunteers will build on their terminology and expectations to become proficient when working in the legal system.

Children of Chaos: Family Violence & Children (Online Session)
2020-10-28 09:30 - 12:30 (America/Detroit)
This event is open only to graduates of ProKids CASA University. If you would like more information about being a CASA Volunteer, please visit www.prokids.org/volunteer.
CASA Volunteers will learn how family violence/domestic violence/intimate partner violence and the resulting trauma and toxic stress impacts the health and well-being of the children and families involved. Additionally, CASA Volunteers will learn how to use behavioral observation tools to gather information and determine potential resources in order to make recommendations to the Court on appropriate interventions and services. Safety for the CASA, mandated reporting, and self-care will also be discussed.

“This training has been partially funded through a contract between Ohio CASA and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio CASA supports local CASA/GAL programs throughout Ohio with training, technical assistance, legislative support, and standards implementation so volunteers may advocate for abused, neglected, and dependent children in the court system.”

CASA University Class Five (Online Session)
2020-10-27 09:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Home
The Positive Development of Children

All CASA’s in Training must attend class one prior to attending classes two-seven.
In this session, participants will learn about the developmental needs of all children, how to identify when those needs are being met and how to provide educational advocacy for children.

CASA University Class One (Online Session)
2020-10-26 16:45 - 20:00 (America/New_York)

The 2020 Fall Fête
2020-10-22 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Detroit)
ProKids CASA Volunteers and members of our Committed Community are invited to join the 2020 Fall Fete. This online, hour-long event will include:

The swearing in of CASA Volunteers by Hamilton County Juvenile Court Presiding Judge John Williams
The presentation of four Darlene Kamine Advocate of the Year awards to CASA Volunteers who have done exemplary work
The honoring of Wynndel Watts, the 2020 Merilee Turner Volunteer of the Year
A special presentation for the Community Builder of the Year award

As a registrant you will be sent the code for attending the online event.

Redefining the Center: LGBTQ Youth & Families (Online Session)
2020-10-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
This class is held over six weeks, meeting an hour per week online. Participants must be able to attend all six weeks to register. All meetings will be held from noon-1pm on Thursdays.
Redefining the Center: LGBTQ Youth & Families
This curriculum is designed to help you begin centering LGBTQ youth in your work as an advocate.
As a result of completing this class, we expect you’ll:
-have a thorough understanding of the concepts of sexual orientation and gender identity and be able to understand common LGBTQ terminology,
-understand and have empathy for common issues LGBTQ youth and families experience as well as be able to recognize the resilience of LGBTQ people,
-understand how systems of oppression have been created at the societal and institutional level to purposefully disenfranchise LGBTQ people,
-have actionable strategies to advocate for LGBTQ people both individually and within systems.
More about our cohort continuing education classes:
You’ll complete the curriculum material within a cohort of other CASA Volunteers over six weeks. Each week, you and the other CASA Volunteers participating will complete materials to read or watch on your own and a homework assignment prior to attending a debrief session. This work on your own should take about an hour to complete. During the one hour debrief session with your cohort, you’ll be able to discuss the materials as well as listen to facilitated materials by a member of the ProKids team.
More about the Redefining the Center series:
As mentioned previously, this curriculum is designed to help you begin your journey centering LGBTQ youth in your work as an advocate. We hope that by completing this curriculum, you become inspired to explore more about the topics discussed and continuously learn how you can better show up for the LGBTQ community in your life.
Minority communities are over-represented in the child protection system. LGBTQ youth are represented in foster care at rates 3-5 times higher than in the general public.
When we center minority communities, it means solving problems from their perspective, and considering them first in every potential solution. We need to move beyond asking whether a strategy will serve everyone to focusing first on whether it will effectively address the needs of those most likely to be in need.
