The CAST (Child Advocacy Studies) minor was created as a collaborative approach to training and educating front line professionals and the next generation of child welfare practitioners. The core UIS CAST courses are certified by the ZERO Abuse Project and UIS Cast students are eligible for a certificate as proof of their knowledge, skills and abilities in child maltreatment prevention and intervention.  Upon completion for the 15-hour minor, students are eligible to receive credit for both the minor at UIS as well as the certificate awarded externally. Students may complete the CAST minor on-campus or fully online.

ZERO Abuse Project Certified

The core UIS CAST courses are certified by the ZERO Abuse Project. UIS CAST students are eligible for a certificate as proof of their knowledge, skills and abilities in child maltreatment prevention and intervention. Upon completion of the coursework, students are eligible to receive credit for both the UIS minor as well as the external certification.

Workforce Development

The UIS Child Protection Training Academy provides simulation training for frontline child protection professionals, including child advocacy center teams and DCFS, juvenile justice and school personnel. Researchers note four advantages for incorporating experiential learning in child welfare training:

• Allows students to explore ways that theories and research inform practice.
• Helps students develop skills in using their theoretical classroom knowledge in practice settings, hopefully enhancing their confidence and competence.
• Enables students to consider the ways that their personal and professional values and beliefs influence judgments.
• Increases students’ ability to manage within changing landscapes by developing their skills as reflective practitioners.