
About Child Advocacy Studies
The Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) Minor started at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. The curriculum brings the vision of Zero Abuse Project to reality by providing students with real-world experience in a classroom setting.
CAST focuses on developing students’ understanding of the factors that lead to child maltreatment and the currently existing responses to incidents of child abuse and neglect, so they work more effectively within multiple systems and institutions that respond to these situations. Students learn about the various professional responses to child maltreatment and develop a multidisciplinary understanding of the most effective responses. Learners completing the courses in this program will be better equipped to carry out the work of different agencies and systems (healthcare, criminal justice, social services) as they advocate on behalf of the needs of children as victims and survivors of child abuse.
Universities seldom prepare students for the reality of child protection. Successful professional training will produce child maltreatment professionals who will be knowledgeable enough to competently manage child maltreatment cases. Beginning in college, we must produce an army of front line workers well equipped to organize all the players in their local communities for the benefit of children.
Each member of the CAST front line has experience interviewing, on a witness stand testimony, conducting a home visit and planning case management. While these experiences increase professional competency, the most compelling reason to provide this training is that it may prevent a child maltreatment case from being mishandled or overlooked.
Join us for our Inaugural CAST Seminar!
CAST Universities
Featured Institutions
Universities Map
Approved Universities
Implemented Child Advocacy Studies
- Alcorn State University
- Alvernia University
- Arkansas State University
- Athens State University
- Auburn University at Montgomery
- Belhaven University
- Buffalo State College
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College
- Culver-Stockton College
- Delta State University
- East Carolina University
- East Central MS Community College
- East MS Community College
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Hinds County Community College
- Holmes County Community College
- Houston Community College
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Indiana Wesleyan
- Jackson State University
- Jones County Community College
- Judson University
- Kennesaw State University
- Liberty University
- Meridian Community College
- Miami of Ohio
- Mississippi College
- Missouri State University
- Montclair State University
- MS Delta Community College
- MS Gulf Coast Community College
- MS State University
- MS University for Women
- MS Valley State
- New Mexico State University
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Northeast MS Community College
- Northwest Community College
- Oklahoma City University
- Rust College
- Shoreline Community College
- Southeast Missouri State
- Southwest Community College
- State University of New York at Fredonia
- Tougaloo College
- Tulane University
- University at Buffalo
- University of Arkansas
- University of the District of Columbia
- University of Houston-Downtown
- University of Mississippi (Judicial College)
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of South Florida
- University of Southern Mississippi
- University of Toledo
- University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville Online
- William Carey University
- Wilmington University
- Winona State University
Seminaries
Law Schools
Medical Schools
International CAST Programs
- Academy of Postgraduate Studies
- Belarus State Medical University
- Institute of State Committee of Forensic Expertize
* Some of the institutions listed are currently in development for CAST launch
Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) Coordinators

CAST Approval Process
Desiring to maintain the best practice model, informed by research and practical experience, Zero Abuse Project has engaged its current educational partners in the development of a program approval process for the CAST curricula. The goal of the program approval is to establish a baseline of knowledge in the core competencies for students completing a course of study in the CAST curricula. At its most basic level, CAST students will be substantially better prepared for a front-line career than at any time in the past.
To learn more, please contact Tyler Counsil at [email protected].
CAST Job Opportunities
Assistant Teaching Professor, Applied Psychology of Child Advocacy Studies
The University of Missouri – St. Louis is seeking an Assistant Teaching Professor of Psychology for a 75% undergraduate teaching load. Coursework includes Introduction to Child Advocacy Studies, Traumatic Stress in Childhood and Adolescence, Policy and Global Issues in Child Advocacy, and Internship seminar in Child Advocacy. The position entails overseeing the internship and service-learning components required for the Applied Psychology of Child Advocacy Studies (AP-CAST) BA degree and certificate.

CAST Program News & Announcements
Read about how the CAST program is changing the lives of students and educators throughout the country.
CAST Quarterly Newsletter: March 2023
The team at Zero Abuse Project is excited to share our quarterly CAST newsletter!
CAST 2021-2022 Impact Report
Please click the image below to view the full report. January 11, 2023
Upcoming ACEs Health Champions Gathering: The Impact of CAST Education on the Next Generation of Frontline Professionals
Please join University of Illinois Springfield CAST instructor, Dr. Betsy Goulet, and Zero Abuse Project CAST Director Dr. Tyler Counsil, for the next AVA ACEs Health Champions Event, where...
CAST Quarterly Newsletter: December 2022
The team at Zero Abuse Project is excited to share our quarterly CAST newsletter!
Virtual Conference for Faith Leaders Open to CAST Community
Zero Abuse Project, alongside partners from CAST collaborative organizations such as APSAC and the New York Foundling’s Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection, will be hosting a...
New CAST Resources from Pennsylvania and NPEIV Collaboration
Dr. Pearl Berman, Child Advocacy and Adult Studies (CAAST) faculty at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Immediate Past President of the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence, or NPEIV,...
CAST Quarterly Newsletter: September 2022
The team at Zero Abuse Project is excited to share our quarterly CAST newsletter!
WAMW Interview with Zero Abuse Project Staff
Listen to Zero Abuse Project staff and Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) Director Dr. Tyler Counsil discuss our mission, impact, and some exciting upcoming events on this episode of WAMW...
Ready to Get Involved?
We are always looking for new partnerships and leaders in the academic world to help make a difference in the lives of children through our Child Advocacy Studies programs. Contact us today to see how we can work together towards a safer future for everyone.