IMPORTANT UPDATE
The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our community — including the children we serve, our volunteers, and our staff — is of great concern to us at Voices for Children. As the situation continues to develop, please check back here for updates regarding Advocate University in both counties.
All Advocate University training classes are currently being held virtually.
Voices for Children's training program, Advocate University, comprises 35 hours of classroom and online training and includes the following topics:
Introduction to Voices for Children
Understanding Childhood Trauma
Court Report Writing
Working with Biological Parents
Educational Advocacy
Relationship Building
Early Intervention
Identifying Bias and Privilege
Policies and Procedures
Overview of Child Welfare Services
Dependency Law
Courtroom Procedures and Court Files
Diversity
Advocating for Transitional Age Youth
Advocating for LGBTQ+ Youth
Domestic Violence
Substance Abuse
Training concludes with a graduation ceremony at which the volunteers are sworn in as officers of the Court by a Juvenile Dependency Court judge. There is a nominal fee for Advocate University, which can be waived if needed.
How to Apply
To be eligible for training, you must first attend one of our Volunteer Information Sessions and complete and submit our CASA Application for San Diego County or Riverside County. You must also interview with a Voices for Children staff member. Please keep in mind that there are application deadlines for each training session. Note: You must attend Advocate University in the county where you would like to volunteer.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
IMPORTANT UPDATE: San Diego County Advocate University training classes will be held virtually until further notice. We will be evaluating future trainings as the Coronavirus / COVID-19 situation continues to develop.
Below are the dates for our upcoming trainings. All classes for each training session are mandatory. Please note that interviews must be completed by the interview deadline to be considered for each training.
April-May 2021 (Evenings)
April 20 - Orientation (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
April 22, 27, 29, May 4, 6 (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
Graduation: May 27, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Interview Deadline: April 5, 2021
June 2021 (Saturdays)
June 3 - Orientation (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
June 5, 12, 19 (8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Graduation: July 6, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Interview Deadline: May 21, 2021
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to the Coronavirus / COVID-19 situation, Advocate University will now be offered in an online format for Riverside County as a precaution.
Advocate University is held in various locations throughout the County. Below are the dates for our upcoming in-classroom trainings. All classes for each training session are mandatory.
July 2021 Online Training - (Evenings)
July 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
August 2021 Online Training - (Evenings)
August 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
September 2021 Online Training - (Evenings)
September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
Our Thanks
Advocate University is funded, in part, by the generosity of Cox Communications, the Parker Foundation, the Leichtag Foundation, the Price Family Charitable Fund, the Galinson Family Foundation, an anonymous donor at the Jewish Community Foundation, and the Judicial Council of California. We are deeply thankful for their contributions.
