Medical and legal experts share COVID-19 vaccination considerations for CASA/GAL volunteers and staff

NEWS

CASA/GAL staff and volunteers continue to navigate how to provide strong best-interest advocacy to children, youth and families as courts and child protection systems return to in-person operations. To address legal and medical questions and concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination programs and safety for its network of 948 state organizations and local programs, the National CASA/GAL Association hosted a webinar for its member programs on April 23, 2021.

Webinar presenters, Dr. Armando Correa and Barry Hartstein, shared invaluable expertise during the webinar. Correa is an infectious diseases physician and medical director of International Patient Service of Texas Children’s Hospital. Hartstein is a shareholder at Littler, the world’s largest labor and employment law firm, and co-chair of the firm’s EEO & Diversity Practice Group and lead of the firm’s Vaccination Working Group. Moderated by National CASA/GAL General Counsel and Chief Public Policy Officer, Russell Jacobs, topics discussed included employees’ requests to be excused from vaccination programs, wage and hour issues, employee safety, workers’ compensation, privacy related issues, diversity and equity issues and safety measures. This is just one of the many ways National CASA/GAL provides ongoing training and support to our network during the pandemic. To learn more, read our COVID-19 Impact Report.