The units of the course prepare participants to appreciate the urgency and need for the court appointed special counsel/guardian ad litem (CASA/GAL) and to differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the CASA/GAL from those of other professionals. Participants also learn sensitivity to cultural differences in identifying the needs of children and families. One unit teaches the indicators of child abuse and neglect, and another prepares participants to make objective observations about a child's well-being. Other units instruct participants in how to participate in permanency planning for the child, how to apply communication skills in the performance of CASA/GAL duties, and the role of the CASA/GAL during court proceedings. The remaining units identify four steps to successful advocacy in representing the best interests of a child and teach participants to appreciate the need for supportive networks to help maintain personal and professional well-being through stress-management techniques and procedures. An index and glossary