BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Michigan CASA - ECPv6.15.17//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://michigancasa.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Michigan CASA
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Detroit
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20240310T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20241103T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T173000
DTSTAMP:20260407T101409
CREATED:20260302T222832Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T222832Z
UID:1611-1773936000-1773941400@michigancasa.org
SUMMARY:Rights of Youth Experiencing Foster Care
DESCRIPTION:Presented By: Sarah Goad\, MDHHS and Brina Williams\, Child Welfare Advocate \nYouth experiencing foster care have rights that policy requires case managers share with them and their caregivers when they enter care\, annually\, and when changing caregivers. It is important that youth are aware of their rights and what they can do if they feel that their rights are not being observed. The Children’s Services Administration has been working on updating the rights documents\, most notably removing responsibilities\, in collaboration with a team of lived experts. in this session we will review the rights\, policy regarding sharing with youth\, and the process we’ve engaged in to update the documents and develop dissemination plans. \nAfter attending this session you will: \n\nBe able to identify where to find the Foster Youth Rights.\nHave an understanding of policy related to Foster Youth Rights.\nHave an understanding of the recent changes to these documents and the youth centered process we engaged in.\n\nRegister Here!
URL:https://michigancasa.org/event/rights-of-youth-experiencing-foster-care/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://michigancasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/michigan-casa-u.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T173000
DTSTAMP:20260407T101409
CREATED:20251204T182946Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251204T182946Z
UID:1416-1771516800-1771522200@michigancasa.org
SUMMARY:Talking with Youth About Stress in a Stressful World
DESCRIPTION:Presented by Lacy Alana\, LCSW\, RSW\, MSSW\nIn today’s world\, stress is not only personal – it is collective\, ongoing\, and often overwhelming. For youth in foster care\, everyday stress is layered on top of trauma histories\, placement transitions\, and systemic instability. At the same time\, like all young people\, they are navigating school pressures\, friendships\, identity development\, and social dynamics\, while also being exposed to complex and often distressing global events.\nThis experiential training supports CASA advocates\, staff and other child-serving professionals in meeting youth within this full reality. Participants will learn ways of showing up that foster safety\, connection\, and regulation in the face of hard topics and big feelings.\nTogether\, participants will explore how to support youth facing both the ordinary stresses of growing up\, and the extraordinary stressors many foster youth carry. Advocates will leave feeling more confident\, grounded\, and equipped to support emotional regulation and connection during visits\, even when conversations feel complex or emotionally charged. \n___ \nMeet the Speaker:\nLacy Alana\, MSSW\, LCSW is a psychotherapist\, facilitator\, and founder of Yes And Brain. With over fifteen years of experience across community\, education\, and healthcare settings\, she specializes in nervous-system-informed\, experiential training that supports connection\, regulation\, and resilience. Her work integrates brain science\, psychology\, communication\, and play-based approaches to help caring adults show up with steadiness and compassion – especially in complex or emotionally charged situations. Lacy’s trainings emphasize practical tools\, relational presence\, and confident support for youth navigating stress\, uncertainty\, and change.
URL:https://michigancasa.org/event/talking-with-youth-about-stress-in-a-stressful-world/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://michigancasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/09_CASA_291_MED.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T110000
DTSTAMP:20260407T101409
CREATED:20251204T182838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251204T182838Z
UID:1414-1771320600-1771326000@michigancasa.org
SUMMARY:Cultural Humility in Practice - February 2026
DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dr. Crystallee Crain\nAlthough we missed Dr. Crystallee Crain’s session at the Michigan CASA Conference\, she has graciously agreed to present her session\, “Cultural Humility in Practice” for us. \nThis training introduces participants to the framework of cultural humility\, inspired by the work of Josepha Campinha-Bacote\, Melanie Tervalon\, and Jann Murray-García. This evidence-based approach emphasizes the importance of co-creating dynamic and generative relationships with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and different cultural experiences from your own. This could be in regards to a person’s race\, ethnicity\, class\, education level\, gender expression\, sexual orientation\, religion\, mental health capacities or disability status\, political affiliations\, or regional association. \nDuring this workshop Dr. Crain will work with participants to identify gaps in understanding\, capacity for humility and emotional responsiveness as it relates to their professional practice. Through a participatory framed experience\, participants will be able to heighten their efficacy in their work by understanding how their biases\, perceptions\, and worldview impact their service to the community. \nAll participants will receive access to Dr. Crain’s workbook “Cultural Humility in Practice” digitally unless you received a hard copy at the conference. \n___ \nMeet the Speaker:\nDr Crystallee Crain (she/her/hers) is an interdisciplinary public health scholar and human rights advocate. She has over 10 years’ experience consulting nationally with clients in a variety of sectors. \nDr. Crain facilitates training with an emphasis on addressing trauma\, prevention science\, and participatory capacity-building. She has worked with organizations across the country to support them in actualizing people-centered values in the development and implementation of their mission and vision. She specializes in revealing layers of institutional inequality while supporting communities to shift ways of being and practice to improve life chances by bridging the worlds of research\, healing justice\, and community capacity building. Crystallee’s body of work represents a collective need to strengthen our responses to violence through transformative means\, the need for liberatory practices\, and a focus on healing as a strategy for change. \nIn October 2024 Dr. Crain was awarded the International Impact Book Award\, in the Multicultural Category for her Cultural Humility in Practice Workbook.”
URL:https://michigancasa.org/event/cultural-humility-in-practice-february-2026/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260122T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260122T173000
DTSTAMP:20260407T101409
CREATED:20251204T182603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251222T171102Z
UID:1412-1769097600-1769103000@michigancasa.org
SUMMARY:Cultural Humility in Practice - January 2026
DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dr. Crystallee Crain\nAlthough we missed Dr. Crystallee Crain’s session at the Michigan CASA Conference\, she has graciously agreed to present her session\, “Cultural Humility in Practice” for us. \nThis training introduces participants to the framework of cultural humility\, inspired by the work of Josepha Campinha-Bacote\, Melanie Tervalon\, and Jann Murray-García. This evidence-based approach emphasizes the importance of co-creating dynamic and generative relationships with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and different cultural experiences from your own. This could be in regards to a person’s race\, ethnicity\, class\, education level\, gender expression\, sexual orientation\, religion\, mental health capacities or disability status\, political affiliations\, or regional association. \nDuring this workshop Dr. Crain will work with participants to identify gaps in understanding\, capacity for humility and emotional responsiveness as it relates to their professional practice. Through a participatory framed experience\, participants will be able to heighten their efficacy in their work by understanding how their biases\, perceptions\, and worldview impact their service to the community. \nAll participants will receive access to Dr. Crain’s workbook “Cultural Humility in Practice” digitally unless you received a hard copy at the conference. \n— ** 1.5 Michigan Social Work CEUs available.  This course is approved by the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative Approval #20251027-CA-MICASA ** \n___ \nMeet the Speaker:\nDr Crystallee Crain (she/her/hers) is an interdisciplinary public health scholar and human rights advocate. She has over 10 years’ experience consulting nationally with clients in a variety of sectors. \nDr. Crain facilitates training with an emphasis on addressing trauma\, prevention science\, and participatory capacity-building. She has worked with organizations across the country to support them in actualizing people-centered values in the development and implementation of their mission and vision. She specializes in revealing layers of institutional inequality while supporting communities to shift ways of being and practice to improve life chances by bridging the worlds of research\, healing justice\, and community capacity building. Crystallee’s body of work represents a collective need to strengthen our responses to violence through transformative means\, the need for liberatory practices\, and a focus on healing as a strategy for change. \nIn October 2024 Dr. Crain was awarded the International Impact Book Award\, in the Multicultural Category for her Cultural Humility in Practice Workbook.”
URL:https://michigancasa.org/event/cultural-humility-in-practice-january-2026/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251027
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251029
DTSTAMP:20260407T101409
CREATED:20250422T174028Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T174041Z
UID:1019-1761523200-1761695999@michigancasa.org
SUMMARY:2025 Michigan CASA State Conference
DESCRIPTION:Save the Date! More information will be available soon.
URL:https://michigancasa.org/event/2025-michigan-casa-state-conference/
LOCATION:MotorCity Casino Hotel\, 2901 Grand River Ave\, Detroit\, MI\, 48201\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://michigancasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/casa_conference5-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250612T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250612T173000
DTSTAMP:20260407T101409
CREATED:20250520T183203Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T184411Z
UID:1104-1749744000-1749749400@michigancasa.org
SUMMARY:Understanding and Responding to Generational Trauma
DESCRIPTION:In this interactive session\, authors and former foster youth Justin & Alexis Black guide participants through an exploration of generational trauma—emphasizing that it’s not about blaming parents\, but understanding how trauma is passed down and shapes identity. Participants will gain clarity on key mental health and child welfare terms like secondhand trauma\, boundaries\, and types of abuse\, while reflecting on how these terms show up in real life. Together\, we’ll examine how language and coping strategies can support or harm healing\, build empathy\, and learn practical tools to foster healthy\, strategic relationships with foster and adoptive youth. \nLearning Objectives.\nUnderstand different forms of trauma and abuse and their generational impact.\nLearn how to support youth while avoiding secondhand trauma as a caregiver or advocate.\nApply affirming language and relationship-building strategies to support healing and resilience. \n* * * \nJustin Black is an author\, speaker\, and serial entrepreneur. Black studied public relations and African studies with a focus on urban and community development as well as political and economic philosophy in countries such as Rwanda\, Uganda\, Senegal\, and South Korea. He is a part of Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneurs for 2021. Justin and his wife\, Alexis\, have published an award winning\, bestselling book titled Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat The Odds and Discovered Healing\, Happiness and Love that has impacted over 40\,000 individuals\, families\, and communities. With the Redefining Normal company\, they hope to continue the conversation on healthy relationships\, mental health\, community growth and healing through speaking engagements\, trainings\, book clubs\, and workshops.
URL:https://michigancasa.org/event/understanding-and-responding-to-generational-trauma/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250515T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250515T173000
DTSTAMP:20260407T101409
CREATED:20250422T015533Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T174500Z
UID:954-1747324800-1747330200@michigancasa.org
SUMMARY:The Power of Questions: Building Trust Through Better Communication
DESCRIPTION:SIGN UP HERE \nJoin Leslie in this interactive training exploring the power of questions to build trust and help us better communicate in our work as youth advocates. \nObjectives: \n\nEnhance Communication Skills: Equip volunteers and staff with techniques to ask powerful\, open-ended questions that foster deeper understanding and dialogue.\nPromote Critical Thinking: Encourage volunteers and staff to use questioning to challenge assumptions and explore different perspectives.\nBuild Trust and Rapport: Teach volunteers and staff how to use questions to establish trust and build stronger relationships with the children and families they serve.\n\n\nPresenter: Leslie Fiorenzo \nLeslie Fiorenzo is a seasoned business professional with over 30 years of experience in human resources and employee assistance. A lifelong learner\, she has achieved a number of certifications and taught human resources\, business\, and marketing courses as an adjunct faculty member at Davenport University. She has experience leading teams in profit and non-profit organizations alike. Leslie’s unique perspective and approach comes from her corporate career using the skills she now teaches. She is author of “Twenty-One Lessons to Master the Difficult conversation” and “Find Your Voice: Conquer Your Fear & Share Your Story with Confidence” available on Amazon.
URL:https://michigancasa.org/event/the-power-of-questions-building-trust-through-better-communication/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://michigancasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/girls-children-kids-friends-50581.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250513T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250513T210000
DTSTAMP:20260407T101409
CREATED:20250402T163555Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T174443Z
UID:693-1747157400-1747170000@michigancasa.org
SUMMARY:Belonging Begins with Us Fundraiser
DESCRIPTION:SIGN UP HERE\n\nOur Belonging Begins with Us Gala will be held on Tuesday\, May 13th at Watermark Country Club in Grand Rapids\, Michigan. We invite you to be a part of our special evening!
URL:https://michigancasa.org/event/belonging-begins-with-us-fundraiser/
LOCATION:Watermark Country Club\, 1600 Galbraith Ave SE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49546\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://michigancasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/annual-gala-2025.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR