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
2025 advocate training calendar
Winter Jan/Feb 2025
- Thurs Jan 23rd @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon Jan 27th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Jan 30th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Feb 3rd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Feb 6th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Feb 10th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Feb 13th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Spring March/April 2025
- Thurs Mar 20th @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon Mar 24th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Mar 27th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Mar 31st @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Apr 3rd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Apr 7th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Apr 10th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Summer May/June 2025 (Flex – Daytime Classes)
- Thurs May 29th @ 9am – 10:30am – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon June 2nd @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
- Thurs June 5th @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
- Mon June 9th @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
- Thurs June 12th @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
- Mon June 16th @ 8:45am – 12:15pm
Summer July/Aug 2025
- Thurs July 17 @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon July 21st @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs July 24th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon July 28th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs July 31st @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Aug 4th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Aug 7th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
Fall Sept/Oct 2025
- Thurs Sept 11th @ 6pm – 7:30pm – Orientation/Hand out books and instructions
- Mon Sept 15th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Sept 18th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Sept 22nd @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Sept 25th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Mon Sept 29th @ 5:45pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs Oct 2nd @ 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