CASA and GAL Volunteer and Program Staff Academy

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的目的是开发，制作和评估一个十模块的多媒体培训计划的九个模块，为法院指定的特别辩护律师（CASA）和监护人诉讼（GAL）志愿者和计划工作人员。该项目名为CASA/GAL学院，将通过网络和DVD两种方式提供，为CASA/GAL志愿者和工作人员提供两种家庭技术，以接受高质量和全面的继续教育课程。志愿者和工作人员可以通过他们的CASA/GAL计划或单独注册课程，并完成他们，以满足培训要求。在第一阶段，我们为十个处理青少年问题的模块之一制定了内容和措施，这些模块与家庭或少年法庭法官作出知情的处置决定所需的信息有关。我们充分开发了在法庭上代表青少年模块测试DVD和网站版本的原型。该方案旨在以简单实用的方式向志愿者提供关于向成年过渡的青年的信息。该方案采用互动式多媒体格式，利用从涉及家庭或少年法庭、涉及青年和诉讼监护人的情况中得出的案例研究。第二阶段的评估研究将进一步评估CASA/GAL志愿者和方案工作人员，通过他们对九个额外模块的评估和与青少年合作的增强知识和技能的发展。该项目通过协助法院志愿者更明确地确定面临安置或持续忽视和虐待风险的青少年的需求，可能对参与儿童福利和法院系统的青少年的福祉产生重大影响。该项目将提供关于青少年及其发展状况和需要的信息。这一信息将导致更高质量的法院报告和更适当的与发展有关的建议。这些报告对于向法院（法官）提供信息并协助他们下达适当和必要的处置令至关重要。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of this project is to develop, produce, and evaluate nine modules of a ten-module multimedia-training program for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteers and program staffs. The program, called CASA/GAL Academy, will be delivered both on the Web and DVD, providing CASA/GAL volunteers and staffs with two home-based technologies for receiving high quality and comprehensive continuing education courses. Volunteers and staffs can register for courses through their CASA/GAL programs or individually and complete them to meet training requirements. In Phase I, we developed the content and measures for one of ten modules on dealing with adolescents in relation to information needed by family or juvenile court judges to make informed disposition decisions. We fully developed the Representing Adolescents in Court module testing prototypes of both DVD and Website versions. The program is designed to give volunteers information about youths in transition to adulthood in simple and practical terms. The program uses an interactive multimedia format utilizing case studies that are drawn from situations involving a family or juvenile court involved youth and a Guardian ad Litem. The Phase II evaluation study will further assess CASA/GAL volunteers and program staffs through their evaluation of the nine additional modules and development of enhanced knowledge and skills for working with adolescents. Project Narrative This project could have a significant impact on the well-being of adolescents' who are involved with the child welfare and court systems by assisting court volunteers to more clearly determine the needs of youth who are at risk of placement or continued neglect and abuse. The project would provide information on adolescents and their developmental status and needs. This information would lead to higher quality court reports and more appropriate developmentally related recommendations. These reports are crucial in informing courts (judges) and assisting them in handing down appropriate and necessary dispositional orders.