Engagement & General Well-Being
Understanding Executive Function
Cognitive scientist Sabinne Doebel shares highlights from her research on child development to explain our brains’ executive function, the factors that affect its capacity, and how to use it to reach your goals.
ReMoved
Film that portrays the experience of youth who are removed from their families and placed in foster care
National CASA Association
This website has a list of helpful resources, tips and organizations that you can turn to for help.
General Well-Being
Using the Protective and Promotive Factors to Support Youth Well-Being
A guide geared specifically towards CASA volunteers that presents questions framed around the Youth Thrive Protective and Promotive Factors in a young person’s life, each of which help to reduce risk, increase the likelihood of positive outcomes, and support healthy development and well-being.
Visit Ideas
If you are looking for new activity ideas to participate in with your CASA child, the following links provide some creative suggestions:
Youth Engagement
Recommendations from a study that investigated how to develop authentic youth-adult partnerships with your foster youth
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Connects professionals and the general public to essential information and resources targeted to the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families
Advocating for Specific Needs
Parenting a Child Who has been Sexually Abused
A guide for foster and adoptive parents parenting a child who has been sexually abused. Includes information about sexual abuse and guidelines for developing privacy and safety rules for the house.
Helping a Child whose Parent is Incarcerated
This federal website provides interactive tools and other resources to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships plan, implement, and participate in effective programs for youth.
Advocating for Pregnant and Parenting Teens
Understanding the legal rights of the youth you work with is one way to help address these challenges. Healthy Teen Network and the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law collaborated to provide answers to some common questions practitioners face when advocating for pregnant and parenting teens. The answers can be helpful in your advocacy efforts.
Supporting Transitioning Youth
Guide created by the US Department of Health and Human Services on how to support youth who are transitioning out of foster care.
Resources for Working with Young Children
The Sesame Street Workshop introduces a new neighbor, Karli, who is living with her “for-now parents” which is a great resource for helping young children understand foster care. They also have a variety of resources, coloring sheets and activities available for providers.
Education
Advocating for a Child’s Education Needs*
This handbook guides you through understanding and coordinating a CASA child’s education. By registering for the Prince George’s County Family Portal, volunteers can oversee their CASA Child’s education and even check their grades here.
*This is an older handbook, but still offers helpful guidance. Make sure to check with your supervisor about any more recent changes to policy.
Application Process for PGCPS Programs
Learn more about applying for speciality programs, career and technical education programs, or public charter schools
Graduating from High School
If you need to familiarize yourself with the graduation requirements for Prince George’s County Public Schools, the requirements are listed here
College Application Process
Tips for Helping Children with Learning Disabilities
Helpful guide on how to support and build the confidence of a child with a learning disability, including tips for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners
Education Planning for Youth
Maryland Tuition Waiver
Foster care youth in Maryland who are enrolled as a candidate for an associate, bachelor’s degree or vocational certificate at a Maryland Public institution of higher education are eligible to have their tuition waived.
Education and Training Voucher Program
This federally-funded program offers current and former foster youth up to $5,000 a year for school-related expenses on a first-come first-served basis.
College Scholarships and Grants for Foster Care Youth
This comprehensive list of college scholarships and grants available for current and former foster care youth contains both nationwide and state-specific resources. Scholarships can also be found here on the National Foster Parent Association website.
Youth Career Connect
A 4-year STEM education program that aims to provide over 2,500 high school students in Prince George’s County with education and skills training, internships, college prep and dual enrollment, mentoring, and job readiness.
Special Education Resources
Special Education Rights
A 58-page handbook designed as a guide for helping families navigate the special education system and IEP process. Includes sample forms and letters.
Extended School Year (ESY) Services
An advocate’s guide to the legal issues involved in obtaining ESY services for school-aged children.
Know Your Rights: Meaningful Progress
A guide on how to gauge whether your child is making meaningful progress.
School Discipline
The Maryland School Discipline Process
A handbook that describes the discipline process for all students, especially those with disabilities
Know Your Rights
A brief guide for parents of children with disabilities who are receiving special education amid COVID-19
What is a Behavioral Intervention Program (BIP), Individual Education Program (IEP), and 504 Plan?
If your CASA child has a BIP, IEP, or 504 Plan, it is important to understand these programs in supporting their educational experience. To start, read more about the difference between these three programs.
BIP
IEP
504 Plan
Transition-Age Youth
Housing Resources
FUP Fact Sheet
A guide on the Family Unification Program (FUP), including a program description and eligibility requirements. Frequently asked questions about the FUP are available at this page
Project Life
Provides questions to help youth determine if they are prepared to find stable, affordable housing after aging out of foster care
Maryland Independent Living Services
Explains the Maryland independent living services available to youth ages 14 to 21, including the Independent Living Services, Semi-Independent Living Arrangement (SILA), Enhanced Aftercare services, as well as the tuition waiver program.
Transitioning Youth with Disabilities Out of Foster Care
This website shares action-oriented steps you can take to help an individual with disabilities transition out of foster care
Disability Remodeling
Provides information on grants available to assist in remodel to create accessible homes and other spaces
Transitioning Youth Resource Guide
CASA has developed a Transitioning Youth Resource Guide that provides information on a wide-range of community resource providers that can assist youth as they transition out of foster care to adulthood
Ready By 21
The Prince George’s County Ready By 21 program provides transitional resources and services to youth in foster care, starting at age 14 up until age 21, regardless of their permanency plan or placement type. The goal is to prepare youth for life after foster care and to assist them with making a successful transition to adulthood. This site provides resources on topics such as housing and employment opportunities.
Transitioning Youth Resources
The US Department of Health and Human Services offers an array of information, resources and tips on assisting youth who are preparing to transition out of foster care and into independence. They have also compiled support services for youth transitioning out of foster care.
Finding Jobs & Apprenticeships
The Maryland Workforce Exchange is a great resource to help find a job along with several tools and other resources such as Job Seeker Solutions: Creating a Resume, Career & Workforce Information and more!
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
This initiative focuses on successful transitions to adulthood for older youth and provides a variety of resources and opportunities
Enduring Assets
Findings from a study on the financial lives of youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood
Physical Health
Youth with Specific Medical Needs
The Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) partners with people with developmental disabilities to provide support and resources to live fulfilling lives. To read more about the DDA and the services they provide, visit this page. Further questions about eligibility can be answered here.
There are several federal benefits programs that provide financial assistance to people living with disabilities:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): SSDI supports individuals who are disabled and have a qualifying work history, either through their own employment or a family member
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI provides financial assistance to older adults and individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, with limited income and resources
Below are two resource guides that have more information regarding Social Security benefits and direct services and assistance for individuals with special health care needs.
- Social Security Resource Guide – Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) has created a guide that includes extensive information on the Ticket to Work program, Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) program, representative payee information, etc.
- Community-Based Resource Guide – The Catalyst Center has compiled various resources and organizations within the community that support children and youth with special health care needs
Autism
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
A brief overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder, including signs and symptoms, diagnosing, and other factors
Championing Autistic Youth in Foster Care
This article shares tips for how CASA advocates can support autistic youth in foster care
National CASA Podcast: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Stacy Shook, a board certified behavior analyst and the director of Northwest Behavioral Associates in Seattle, discusses Autism Spectrum Disorder, how it may be treated, and possible services for children and their caregivers
National CASA Podcast: Speaking Up for Autism
This interview is a follow up to the previous podcast, “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” It is the story of a CASA volunteer from Coweta CASA in Newnan, GA, who advocated for a child diagnosed with autism. You will hear what resources she used and recommendations she made in order to ensure the best possible outcome for the child she served.
Substance Abuse In Utero
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning problems. Substance abuse during pregnancy can also result in long-term effects on children throughout development.
Interpreting Psychological Evaluations
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT)
- Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (A brief overview of the three Beery VMI subtests can be found here)
- Personality Assessment Inventory – Adolescent (PAI-A)
Mental Health
The Resilience Code
A guide to supporting adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guide is a summary of a webinar, where participants learned to acknowledge grief experienced by adolescents during the pandemic and how to establish continued communication between advocates and their youth.
Psychotropic Medication
Children in foster care are prescribed psychotropic drugs at more than four times the rate for all children. These drugs are effective for treating the mental illnesses they are designed to alleviate, but there is a growing concern that children in foster care are being overmedicated, sometimes as a form of behavior control. Your CASA child may be taking psychotropic drugs to address their mental health concerns, but side effects can impact an individual physically and mentally.
This website shares information on how to take psychotropic medications safely. Learn more about side effects of psychiatric drugs here.
Common Mental Illnesses
Learn more about common mental health diagnoses and behaviors in children. Each link includes descriptions and commonly used interventions, as well as specific resources and organizations that address each topic.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- ADHD
- Self-injurious Behavior
- Eating Disorders
- Oppositional and Defiant Disorder
- Suicide
To read about other common behaviors or diagnoses, visit the full Family Resource Kit.
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been shown to have long term negative consequences if unaddressed, which is why we offer so many resources on trauma below. Fast facts for ACEs are listed here.
Trauma Resources
Trauma has the capacity to negatively impact many parts of an individual’s life and, when experienced early in life, can shape a child’s physical, emotional, and intellectual development. The following articles, podcast episodes, and TED talks are important resources for learning more about trauma and its widespread impact on a child’s life.
Effects of Trauma:
- Trauma-Informed Practice with Foster Care Youth – Results of a study conducted on trauma experienced by foster youth and recommendations on trauma-informed approach to working with foster youth.
- How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime – This TED talk presented by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris dives into the lifelong impact and developmental effects of repeated stress from abuse, neglect, and parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues.
- The Neurobiology of Trauma – Dr. Rebecca Campbell explains the neurobiology of sexual assault trauma, including how the body and brain respond to trauma, implications for improved response to sexual assault, how victims behave during and after an assault, etc.
- Long-term Consequences of Child Abuse – A fact sheet on the emotional and physical impact of child abuse.
Understanding Trauma:
- Understanding Trauma and Recovery – An educational resource specifically for CASA volunteers working with youth who have experienced trauma, written by a CASA volunteer.
- Parenting a child who has been sexually abused – This guide provides advice on how to parent a child or youth who has been sexually abused, including signs and behaviors for identifying sexual abuse in children and youth.
- Caught by WNYC Studios: “I want someone to love me even for a second” – This podcast episode discusses the impact of trauma on girls in the foster care system, including the sexual abuse to prison pipeline. Desiree shares her experience with trauma and how that’s impacted other spheres of her life.
- Why Children Stay Silent Following Sexual Violence – This TED talk presented by Kristin Jones shares how caregivers can foster an open conversation about abuse to empower kids and encourage them to ask for help.
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
The AACAP is dedicated to treating and improving the quality of life for children, adolescents, and families affected by these disorders. They have also developed Facts for Families to provide concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families. After downloading the files, CASA Volunteers can print and distribute the PDF files as needed.
Cultural Competency
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is a framework for recognizing the overlap of an individual’s identities and how aspects of a these identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege. Understanding this concept will help you ensure your conversations with youth and families are coming from a place of understanding, support, and respect.
Antiracism
Antiracism incorporates actively becoming conscious about race and racism, and taking intentional actions to end racial inequities in our daily lives. Maryland CASA has also provided a list of many antiracism resources that you can watch, read, and listen to. A handout from The Racial Healing Handbook delves into antiracism and includes action-oriented steps for how to become an antiracist.
Learning about Other Cultures
The traditions and customs of an individual’s culture influences their upbringing, values, and development. Learning about your CASA child’s cultural background can contextualize and inform your experiences with them.
Latino Culture
- Understanding Hispanic culture
- Latinx and Hispanic Culture in the US
- An overview of Latino and Latin American identity
- 12 movies celebrating Latinx and Hispanic culture
West African Cultures
Immigration
Tips for Talking about Immigration
The Immigrant Learning Center provides tips for talking about immigrants and immigration
Acculturation and Adjustment for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URMs)
A guide providing more information on the cultural, social, and mental transition for URMs
Immigration-Related Trauma
Trauma has the capacity to negatively impact many parts of an individual’s life and immigration-related trauma can especially impact your CASA child. The following articles, webinars, and infographics are important resources for learning more about immigration-related trauma and delivering trauma-informed care.
Understanding Immigrant Trauma
An article that shares learning resources for understanding immigrant trauma
Tackling Immigrant Anxiety and Trauma
Jessica Gomez, Director of Clinical Innovation at Momentous Institute, discusses strategies for tackling immigrant anxiety and trauma specifically within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Immigrant Trauma and How to Deal With It
Infographic briefly explaining immigrant trauma and its impact, as well as helpful tips for how to offer support
Presenting with Politics: The Psychological Effects of Current Immigration Policy and Sentiment
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Usha Tummala-Narra discusses the context, causes and symptoms of immigrant trauma, as well as best practices to respond to it
Tips for Agencies Working with Immigrant Families
Shares warning signs of trauma and violence exposure, how to help children exposed to violence, and a few cultural responsiveness tips
Intersectionality in Immigration
Immigration and Race Equity
Dr. Kim Tabari discusses issues of economic and racial equity in the context of immigration
Immigration and LGBTQ/Gender
Amitesh Parikh explains how gender and sexual orientation intersects with immigration status and identity
Human Trafficking
Online Human Trafficking Training
Online training resources teaching sex and labor trafficking victim identification, along with how to work with victims of trafficking
Human Trafficking Awareness Media
Compilation of videos, documentaries, podcasts, books, and apps detailing stories of human trafficking survivors to raise awareness and encourage participation in combating human trafficking
Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Resource Guide
A guide compiling resources available in Prince George’s County, Maryland for human trafficking victims, including healthcare services, legal and case management services, victim housing and therapy, and residential programs
National Human Trafficking Resources
Brief review of nationwide human trafficking statistics, the different elements of human trafficking, and resources available nationwide for recognizing and reporting human trafficking.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Genderbread Person
Infographic that quickly explains gender, sexuality, attraction
Definitions of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Terms
A glossary of terms used to describe gender identity and sexual orientation
About LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Care
An overview of what LGBTQ+ youth face in the foster care system
Supporting Permanency
Resources provided through the Child Welfare Information Gateway on how to better understand the unique needs of LGBTQ youth and permanency planning
Tips for Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth
Tips for caring for LGBTQ+ youth. This short guide also shares what parents and families should know about supporting lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens.
Health Care Information and Resources
It can be difficult for LGBTQ folks to feel comfortable disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity to health care providers, and finding accepting health care providers can also be a challenge. The following articles are a resource to help LGBTQ individuals navigate health care.
- Information on LGBTQ health care
- Database to help patients find knowledgeable providers
- Transgender Health: What You Need to Know
- Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health Issues
- Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health Issues
LGBTQ Resources for Child Welfare Professionals
A resource guide for child welfare professionals with many LGBTQ-specific documents
Helping Parents & Caregivers Understand, Accept, and Celebrate LGBTQ Youth
An article that explains how parents, caregivers, and CASA advocates can support and celebrate LGBTQ youth
CASA Deep Dive: Supporting LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care
An article sharing how CASA advocates can support LGBTQ youth
Conversations with CASA: Riki Wilchins, Executive Director of TrueChild
This interview from Texas CASA discusses LGBTQ+ identity, expression, and concepts like challenging gender norms, implementing non-binary language and normalizing pronouns. Riki Wilchins offers tips for CASA volunteers on how they can help ensure a safe, trusting space for all children and youth.
Resources for the Latino Community
Understanding COVID-19 For Kids
Story for kids that presents questions that characters Trinka and Sam have about the coronavirus and ways to answer them.
Presenta algunas de las preguntas que tienen Trinka y Sam sobre el gran virus y formas de responderlas.
Sample Maryland Department of Education IDEA Complaint
Information on Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) complaint for Maryland Department of Education.
Muestra de la queja de la Ley de Educación para Individuos con Discapacidades (IDEA) del Departamento de Educación del Estado de Maryland.
About the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA)
Fact sheet about the DDA
Hoja informativa de la Administración de Discapacidades de Desarrollo
Mental Health Resources
This family resource guide provides information in Spanish about common mental health diagnoses and behaviors in children, such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, self-injurious behavior, etc.
Esta guía de recursos familiares proporciona información en español sobre los diagnósticos y comportamientos de salud mental comunes en los niños, como el TDAH, los trastornos de ansiedad, la depresión, el comportamiento autolesivo, etc.
Trauma Resources in Spanish
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Entendiendo las experiencias adversas en la infancia (ACEs)
Calculate ACEs Score
What is my ACEs score?
Cuál es mi Puntuación de Experiencias Infantiles Adversas (ACE)?
How to Help a Child Manage a Relationship with an Abusive Parent
Provides information for parents on how to talk to children about domestic violence.
Ofrece información para los padres sobre cómo hablar con los niños sobre violencia doméstica.
Managing Difficult Behaviors in Children Living in Domestic Violence
Provides information for parents on how to talk to children about domestic violence. This fact sheet talks about managing challenging behaviors in children living in a domestic violence environment.
Ofrece información para los padres sobre cómo hablar con los niños sobre violencia doméstica. Esta hoja informativa habla sobre cómo manejar comportamientos difíciles en niños que viven en un entorno de violencia doméstica.
12 Core Concepts of Traumatic Stress
Concepts for understanding reactions to traumatic stress in children and their families.
Conceptos para entender las reacciones al estrés traumático en los niños y sus familias.
Psychological First Aid
Psychological First Aid (PFA) summarizes eight core actions. This card is a quick reminder of the eight main actions involved in Psychological First Aid.
Resume los primeros auxilios psicológicos (PFA) ocho acciones centrales. Esta tarjeta es un recordatorio rápido de las ocho acciones principales involucradas en Primeros auxilios psicológicos.
LGBTQ+ Resources in Spanish
What is Sexual Orientation?
Explanation of sexual orientation with a glossary of common terms (Spanish)
Explicación de la orientación sexual con un glosario de términos comunes
Basic Concepts of Sexual Orientation
Pamphlet that explains basic concepts of sexual orientation (Spanish and English)
Folleto que explica los conceptos básicos de orientación sexual
What Does it Mean to be Trans?
Pamphlet that explains the gender binary and pronouns (Spanish and English)
Folleto que explica los pronombres y binarios de género
Talking about Gender & Sexual Orientation
Toolkit for parents and caregivers on how to start conversations about gender and sexual orientation (Spanish and English)
Kit de herramientas para padres y cuidadores sobre cómo iniciar conversaciones sobre género y orientación sexual
Entre Nos
Animated novela about family acceptance (Spanish with English subtitles)
Entre Nos es una series de dibujos animados que se trata de la aceptación familiar. En la primera parte, seguimos a una familia en su camino de aceptación de su hijo gay.
GLAAD Resources for Families
Explains how to support a child who identifies as LGBT and includes resources for supportive organizations and helpful articles (Spanish)
Explica cómo apoyar a un niño que se identifica como LGBT e incluye recursos para organizaciones de apoyo y artículos útiles
NOTE: Neither CASA/Prince George’s County nor its staff endorse or promote any third-party websites or organizations. All are provided for informational purposes only.
