TRAINING
§ 200.221. Training.
(a) The court-appointed special advocate (CASA) shall have the benefit of a training and skill development program that is offered by a CASA program and which is reviewed annually and revised based on the program’s assessment of its training needs.
(b) Training provided to CASAs shall conform to the curriculum ‘‘Comprehensive Training for the CASA/GAL,’’ available from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, or its equivalent.
(c) The training that is offered to CASAs shall utilize a variety of instructors, including CASA program staff, attorneys, judges, agency representatives and volunteers.
(d) CASAs shall successfully complete at least 30 hours of preservice training before being assigned to a case. This preservice training shall, at a minimum, include the following:
(1) The roles and responsibilities of a CASA volunteer.
(2) Court process, including dependency proceedings under 42 Pa.C.S. Chapter 63 (relating to the Juvenile Act) and involuntary termination of parental rights proceedings under 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2101—2910 (relating to the Adoption Act).
(3) The dynamics of human behavior associated with child abuse and neglect.
(4) Relevant State and Federal laws.
(5) Confidentiality and recordkeeping practices.
(6) Child development.
(7) Child abuse and neglect.
(8) Permanency planning and resources.
(9) Community agencies and resources.
(10) Communication and information gathering, to include interviewing and report writing skill development.
(11) Advocacy.
(12) Special needs of the children served, including differences in cultural and socioeconomic norms, values and heritage.
(13) The identification of personal and institutional bias or discrimination as it relates to the children and families being served.
(14) The opportunity to visit and observe court proceedings conducted by judges and masters involving hearings under 42 Pa.C.S. Chapter 63, as well as proceedings involving the involuntary termination of parental rights under 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2101—2910.
(15) Ethics relating to the role of the CASA.
(16) Expectations regarding appearance and demeanor.
(e) CASA volunteers shall be provided with at least 12 hours of in-service training annually.
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