New advocate Trainees are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of initial training and 3 hours of court observations. Upon completion of training requirements and thorough background checks, volunteers are sworn in by the District Judge as a Court appointed special advocate – also known as Guardian at litem (GAL).
NEW Volunteer / Advocate training Calendar:
Each trainee will need to attend ALL of the classes for the session (Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall) they select. Can’t make every class in your session? Possible make-up sessions for 1 or 2 classes will be evaluated upon request.
*Please note all schedules are subject to change in time or format
2026 advocate training calendar
Winter Jan/Feb 2026
- Thurs Jan 22nd @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon Jan 26th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Jan 29th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Feb 2nd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Feb 5th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Feb 9th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Feb 12th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Spring March/April 2026
- Thurs Mar 19th @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon Mar 23rd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Mar 26th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Mar 30th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Apr 2nd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Apr 6th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Apr 9th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Summer May/June 2026 (Possible – Daytime Classes – Time is subject to change)
Overall needs of applicants will determine class times – If this session becomes an evening class, times will match other sessions.
- Thurs May 28th @ 9am – 10:30am – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon June 1st @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
- Thurs June 4th @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
- Mon June 8th @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
- Thurs June 11th @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
- Mon June 15th @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
- Thurs June 18th @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
Summer July/Aug 2026
- Thurs July 16th @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon July 20th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs July 23rd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon July 27th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs July 30th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Aug 3rd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Aug 6th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Fall Sept/Oct 2026
- Thurs Sept 10th @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon Sept 14th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Sept 17th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Sept 21st @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Sept 24th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Sept 28th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Oct 1st @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
All schedules and/or times are subject to change.
Please call office for more information and to confirm schedule.
For more information about new advocate trainings – contact Jennifer Lemke at 325-677-6448 or jenniferlemke@bigcountrycasa.org