A Commitment to Excellence: CASA Volunteers, Staff, and Board Members Achieve New Certification
To truly serve the complex needs of children in foster care, members of the CASA network require more in-depth, specialized training. While initial training provides a solid foundation, ongoing education must delve deeper into the unique psychological, emotional, and developmental impacts of trauma, abuse, and neglect.
In a vital collaborative effort to strengthen mental health support for vulnerable youth, Kelly Benedict and Danielle Phillips, representing Centerstone, recently dedicated a full day to imparting invaluable skills to local Court Appointed Special Advocates, staff and board members, certifying them in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). This comprehensive training equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in young people. For CASA volunteers, who advocate tirelessly for children navigating the complexities of the foster care system – often survivors of trauma, neglect, and abuse – this certification is profoundly impactful. The ability to recognize early warning signs, de-escalate crisis situations, and guide youth towards essential mental health resources empowers them to provide even more holistic and effective support, ensuring the children they serve receive the immediate attention their emotional well-being demands. Centerstone's expertise in mental health services through in these training initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to community education and building a stronger network of support for vulnerable populations, ultimately fostering a more mentally healthy environment for the youth in their care.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Program Manager Michelle Zimmermann for coordinating another intense and important training for our network. Her expert planning and efforts ensured this rigorous training provided another invaluable opportunity for professional development, continuing to equip our members with critical new skills and knowledge. As a direct result of our commitment to excellence and Michelle's meticulous oversight, many dedicated members of our network - CASA’s, board members and staff have successfully achieved certification, which is now proudly listed below their photos on our official website. Her efforts continually strengthen our collective expertise and readiness, fostering a higher standard of excellence across our entire network.
