Continuing Education
In-Service Training Opportunities​
To maintain eligibility to work on a case as a CASA Volunteer, you must complete a minimum of 12 in-service hours of ongoing training per calendar year.
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Below you will find a list of past training videos, as well as book and docu-series recommendations that you may utilize for Continued Education/In-Service credit.
Please remember to enter your training hours into Optima.
REQUIRED for ALL CASA Volunteers*
Essentials of Child and Family Welfare for Programs and Providers
Corinne Wolfe Center for Child and Family Justice
Description:
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Who are we in relation to the families we serve? The roles and ethics of professionals and volunteers in the legal system. ​​
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What are the key moments in a case? In-and-out-of-court proceedings that shape cases.
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For those working with children and families in the System who need an introduction to the legal Process in CYFD cases, including the application of the IFPA.
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Training Dates:
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February 24th: All day (appox 8:30 am- 4:30 pm) & March 3rd afternoon (approx. 1:00 pm-4:00 pm).
Register TBA
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Webinar: A View from the Bench: Advocating for Crossover Youth
National CASA/GAL Association
Description:
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A panel from the Judicial Leadership Council will join us to discuss, A View from the Bench: Advocating for Crossover Youth, for youth who are involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Crossover youth, also referred to as dual-jacket or dually adjudicated youth, experience higher rates of criminal justice involvement and use of public support services as adults compared to youth who are only involved in one system.
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Training Dates:
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January 30, 2026: 12:00PM - 1:00PM MST
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Ripple Effect: An Integrative Framework for Enhancing Trauma-Informed Practice Across Systems
Center of Innovation
Description:
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This 11-hour FREE virtual training presents and workshops an integrative framework for understanding and communicating across systems about how trauma can affect a child, a family, and a system. The Ripple Effect translates complex trauma concepts using metaphor, visual models, common language, and rich case examples.
This training is for community behavioral health providers, CYFD staff, and other community stakeholders who work with children, youth and families.
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Training Dates:
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January 29-30, 2026: 9:00 AM-2:30PM MST
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February 25-26, 2026: 9:00 AM-2:30PM MST
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Law and Mental Health
UNM Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Description:
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Consultation with criminal justice stakeholders in New Mexico--as well as with New Mexico's Behavioral Health Services Division--have consistently revealed concerns regarding the quality of forensic mental health evaluations in both criminal and civil cases. This maps onto nationwide concerns regarding the same issue, particularly as regards public sector forensic mental health evaluations.
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Training Dates: Self-paced
Webinar materials:​
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188 videos on various topics regarding Law & Mental Health. ​
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A View from the Bench: Parents Struggling with Mental Health Issues
National CASA/GAL Association
Description:
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Parents struggling with mental health issues are significantly more likely to become involved with the child welfare system, often facing a higher risk of having their children removed from their home due to concerns about their ability to adequately care for them. In addition to providing support to these children and youth, CASA/GAL volunteers can provide information to the court about the potential impact of a parent’s mental illness on parenting capabilities, and resources that are necessary to support parents, including support from relatives and fictive kin.
Webinar materials:​
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Online Introduction to ICWA Course
National Indian Child Welfare Association
Training Description:​
Introduction to ICWA, an online course covering the Indian Child Welfare Act, is one of the most accessible ways to train child welfare staff working with Native youth and families in ICWA.
In less than five hours, individuals can become certified in the basics of ICWA and be prepared to advocate for this important law, which protects Native children and preserves culture. The course can be completed on a timeline customizable to the learner and to the group.
This course will take you through the opening steps from the moment you realize you are working with a youth who may be Native. Being proficient in ICWA will ensure you can follow what a coalition of 18 national child advocacy organizations has labeled the gold standard in child welfare practice.
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Training Dates: Self-Paced
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Use code NMkidsICWA
Inclusive, Trauma-Informed Practices with Immigrants
The Center of Immigration and Child Welfare
Training Description:​
This is a 5-module online asynchronous, self-paced course that explores how service organizations and practitioners can implement policies and practices to increase inclusivity of immigrant families, and how trauma-informed practice can be tailored to address the unique experiences of immigrant families. It also includes discussion of a model for implementing immigrant specialist navigators within organizations. This course is intended for leaders, frontline practitioners, and other professionals in organizations that serve immigrant families across a variety of community settings. It is available in English and in Spanish.​
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Training Dates: Self-paced
The Modules:
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Module 1: Migration & Trauma
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Module 2: Historical & Political Contexts
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Module 3: Trauma-Informed Practices & Interventions with Immigrants
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Module 4: Immigrant-Inclusive Organizational Policies & Practices
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Module 5: Secondary Trauma Among Practitioners Working with Immigrant Populations
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Judge's Perspective: Preparing to Verbally Answer Questions in Court
National CASA/GAL Association
Judge's Perspective: Writing An Effective Court Report
National CASA/GAL Association
A View from the Bench: The Importance of Best Interest Advocacy
National CASA/GAL Association