Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) is a nationally-recognized curriculum to train students at colleges and universities how to effectively identify and address child abuse/neglect, report child maltreatment appropriately, and become a viable community team member in the prevention and remediation of child maltreatment.

Child Advocacy Studies programming is designed to be flexible and easy to implement, with minimal demands on time and resources. Faculty and institutions can weave content into current programming, offer standalone courses, or create whole modules for in-depth studies. Child Advocacy Studies may be implemented at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and faculty may use existing materials or develop their own content based on student or community needs. Child Advocacy Centers of Mississippi in partnership with the Zero Abuse Project, welcomes collaboration and has a network of experts ready to assist with curriculum design and program management. For more information please email cast@mschaptercacs.org 

Child advocacy programming

Universities & Colleges

To ensure that Child Advocacy Studies programming promotes best practices around child maltreatment, Zero Abuse Project engages its educational partners through a formal approval process for this curricula. The Child Advocacy Studies approval process helps establish or validate a baseline in the curricula core competencies for students. Graduates of formally approved Child Advocacy Studies programs will attain certificates of completion from Zero Abuse Project. Click below to learn more.

In Mississippi, Child Advocacy Studies are provided at: