CASA and GAL Volunteer and Program Staff Academy

项目描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的目的是为法院指定特别辩护人（CASA）和诉讼监护人（GAL）志愿者和项目人员开发、制作和评估10个模块中的9个模块。该项目被称为CASA/GAL学院，将通过网络和DVD两种方式提供，为CASA/GAL志愿者和员工提供两种基于家庭的技术，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项目或个人注册课程，并完成课程以满足培训要求。在第一阶段，我们为处理青少年问题的十个模块中的一个模块制定了内容和措施，涉及家庭或少年法庭法官为作出知情处置决定所需的信息。我们充分开发了在法庭上代表青少年模块，测试了DVD和网站版本的原型。该计划旨在以简单实用的方式向志愿者提供有关青年向成年过渡的信息。该计划使用交互式多媒体格式，利用案例研究，从涉及家庭或少年法庭涉及青少年和监护人诉讼案件的情况。第二阶段的评估研究将进一步评估CASA/GAL志愿者和项目工作人员，通过他们对九个额外模块的评估，以及对青少年工作的知识和技能的提高。这个项目可以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，帮助法院志愿者更清楚地确定有可能被安置或继续被忽视和虐待的青少年的需求。该项目将提供关于青少年及其发展状况和需要的资料。这些资料将导致更高质量的法庭报告和更适当的与发展有关的建议。这些报告对于通知法院（法官）和协助他们下达适当和必要的处置命令至关重要。

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.