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  2. Office of the Child Advocate
  3. Resources & Training

Resources & Training



For Attorneys


The Office of the Child Advocate is now providing Web-based Continuing Legal Education and Professional Trainings online in addition to the traditional onsite continuing education opportunities. Many courses will include Free Legal Education Credits or Professional Credits. These trainings are primarily designed for Child Attorneys, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and parent attorneys.

Court-Appointed Attorneys

Below are training and resources available to you if Family Court has appointed you in a private matter before the Court such as: Custody, Guardianship, TPR, Visitation, Substantiation, or PFA. The following trainings are available on the Delaware Learning Center:

  • Delaware's Child Protection Registry (Part 1 and 2)
  • The Family Court Called - You've Been Appointed
  • Youth Engagement in Court
  • Mandatory Reporting Training for Legal Professionals

To access the trainings listed above, please visit the Delaware Learning Center. Please note that OCA transitioned to this new training platform at the DLC as of October 1, 2019. Therefore, you must register as a new user if this is your first time accessing the new site.

For assistance with registration or questions, please email our training department at OCA.Training@delaware.gov.

If you have been appointed to represent a child in a Substantiation Hearing you may access the Child Protection Registry Guide. If you were appointed to represent a Parent in a Family Court matter then you may access the Parent Attorney Manual.

OCA Volunteer Child Attorneys

Below are training and resources available for current or prospective OCA Volunteer Child Attorneys who represent children in DSCYF custody matters (i.e. children experiencing foster care). The following trainings are available on the Delaware Learning Center:

  • Youth Engagement in Court
  • Introduction to Child Welfare Agencies/Services: 101 Trainings
  • Legal Permanency Options for Children in Foster Care
  • Mandatory Reporting Training for Legal Professionals

Click the links below to view the current onsite training schedules.

2024 New Volunteer Attorney Trainings: Nuts & Bolts of Representing Children in DSCYF Custody

2024 Advanced Topic Trainings for OCA Attorney Volunteers

Volunteer Child Attorneys may also access shorter recorded trainings on specific topics such: Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA), Representing Older Youth: ILS, EJ and Board Extensions, and Reinstatement of Parental Rights. Please contact OCA Chief of Legal Services, Kelly Ensslin, Esq., for assistance at Kelly.Ensslin@delaware.gov or (302) 255-1728.

Wilmington
900 King Street
Suite 350
Wilmington, DE 19801
Main line: (302) 255-1730
Fax: (302) 577-6831

Dover
400 Court Street
Dover, DE 19901
Fax: (302) 672-1125

Georgetown
6 West Market Street
Suite 2
Georgetown, DE 19947
Main line: (302) 856-5720
Fax: (302) 677-7027