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
2026-2027 advocate training calendar
Fall Sept/Oct 2026
- Tues Sept 8th @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Thurs Sept 10th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Sept 14th – NO Class scheduled for this date
- 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
Winter Jan/Feb 2027
- Thurs Jan 21st @ 9:30am – 11:00am – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon Jan 25th @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Thurs Jan 28th @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Mon Feb 1st @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Thurs Feb 4th @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Mon Feb 8th @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Thurs Feb 11th @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
Spring March/April 2027
- Thurs Mar 18th @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon Mar 22nd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Mar 25th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Mar 29th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Apr 1st @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Apr 5th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Apr 8th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Summer June 2027
- Wed June 2nd @ 9:30am – 11:00am – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon June 7th @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Wed June 9th @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Mon June 14th @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Wed June 16th @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Mon June 21st @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
- Wed Jun 23rd @ 9:00am – 12:15pm
Summer July/Aug 2027
- Thurs July 22nd @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Tues July 27th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs July 29th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Tues Aug 3rd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Aug 5th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Tues Aug 10th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Aug 12th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Fall Sept 2027
- Thurs Sept 9th @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon Sept 13th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Sept 16th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Sept 20th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Sept 23rd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Sept 27th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Sept 30th @ 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 – call 325-677-6448 or email info@bigcountrycasa.org