Child & Adult Advocacy Studies offers two pathways to better advocate for children and adults in need.
CAASt Certificate
A 12-credit Child & Adult Advocacy Studies (CAASt) graduate certificate is available through the University of South Dakota. Classes begin each January and students graduate by the end of the year.
Through the online CAASt graduate certificate, working professionals and students gain knowledge and develop skills related to advocacy on behalf of victims and survivors of maltreatment. This certificate is a great complement to a wide range of careers and educational backgrounds related to children, families and public service, including those in social work, nursing, counseling and psychology, criminal justice, education, law and others.
Learn more and apply at USD.edu/CAASt
CAASt K-12 Training
The Child & Adult Advocacy Studies (CAASt) training program was created to provide education professionals with the tools necessary to advocate for children and adults in need while learning to work in interprofessional settings to overcome barriers associated with rurality, funding, and lack of services. CAASt programming creates trauma-informed advocates who can use critical thinking skills to align services, improve system collaboration, and identify resources to meet the unique needs of the children and families being served.
This training is now available as a free, 5-hour online course.
Complete Free Training Online
Register and enroll to access this free online training course.
Child & Adult Advocacy Studies
This 5-hour training provides school personnel with knowledge for working in school multidisciplinary teams and discussion on the perceived barriers to implementing trauma-informed approaches. Training participants will increase knowledge of mandatory reporting, youth suicide prevention, multidisciplinary approaches, and trauma-informed interventions.
