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
2024 Advocate Training Calendar
Winter 2024
Thurs Jan 18th @ 6Pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
Mon Jan 22nd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Thurs Jan 25th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Mon Jan 29th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Thurs Feb 1st @ 5:45pm – 9:30pm
Mon Feb 5th @ 5:45pm – 9:30pm
Thurs Feb 8th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Spring 2024
Thurs Mar 21st @ 6Pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
Mon Mar 25th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Thurs Mar 28th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Mon Apr 1st @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Thurs Apr 4th @ 5:45pm – 9:30pm
Mon Apr 8th @ 5:45pm – 9:30pm
Thurs Apr 11th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Summer 2024
Thurs Jun 6th @ 6Pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
Mon Jun 10th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Thurs Jun 13th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Mon Jun 17th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Thurs Jun 20th @ 5:45pm – 9:30pm
Mon Jun 24th @ 5:45pm – 9:30pm
Thurs Jun 27th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
July 2024
**This is a Blended Format with complete chapters done online**
Mon Jul 8th @ 9am – 10:30am – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
Thurs Jul 11th @ 9am – 12:00pm
Mon Jul 15th @ 9am – 12:00pm
Thurs Jul 18th @ 9am – 12:00pm
Mon Jul 22nd @ 9am – 12:00pm
Fall Sept 2024
Thurs Sept 5th @ 6Pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
Mon Sept 9th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Thurs Sept 12th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Mon Sept 16th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Thurs Sept 19th @ 5:45pm – 9:30pm
Mon Sept 23rd @ 5:45pm – 9:30pm
Thurs Sept 26th @ 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 Michael Dean at 325-677-6448 or michaeldean@bigcountrycasa.org