RCC’s Child Advocacy Studies program tackles critical needs in community
Randolph Community College is taking bold action to strengthen child welfare education with the launch of its new Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) courses — the first program of its kind in the county. Backed by the national Zero Abuse Project, these fully online courses deliver trauma-informed, interdisciplinary training that empowers professionals and volunteers to recognize, respond to, and prevent child maltreatment.
Starting Aug. 18, this engaging 32-week program — offered through RCC’s Continuing Education Division — is open to everyone. Each of the four classes is just $125, and with no book costs, it’s an affordable way to invest in both the success of RCC students and the future of Randolph County.
“CAST graduates have the potential to influence more than 64 cases per year each,” Mandy Christian, MS, LPC, Assistant Professor at Davidson-Davie Community College and the instructor for RCC’s courses, said. “That is more than 32,000 children nationwide whose lives could be impacted every year. As someone who has worked with the CAST curriculum, I can say it is one of the most transformative experiences we offer. It teaches participants to lead with empathy, collaborate across systems, and advocate effectively for children and families. Offering CAST through continuing education makes this powerful training accessible to the broader community, and that is how real change begins.”
The CAST curriculum consists of four online courses:
- Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Advocacy
- Cultural Awareness in Child Maltreatment and Advocacy
- Professional and System Responses to Child Maltreatment
- Responding to the Survivor of Child Maltreatment
Courses are designed for both newcomers and seasoned professionals in child- and family-serving fields, including healthcare, education, early childhood development, criminal justice, behavioral health, and social services. The training integrates real-world learning with hands-on system collaboration, giving participants both practical tools and the deeper context needed to advocate meaningfully for child victims and survivors.
“True community leadership means stepping up where the need is greatest, and that is exactly what we are doing with CAST,” RCC President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “This program empowers people with the tools, knowledge, and empathy to intervene in some of the most difficult situations a child can face. At RCC, we are not just offering education — we are equipping champions for change. This is how we build a safer, stronger, and more compassionate future for our communities.”
From July 2022 to June 2023, more than 116,000 North Carolina children were part of child protective services investigations, and over 23,000 were confirmed victims of abuse or neglect. RCC’s CAST offerings are designed to provide timely and essential training to those working on the front lines of advocacy, ensuring they are prepared, informed, and connected.
Registration is now open. To learn more or enroll, visit http://rccurl.com/cast or call 336-633-0200.
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About Randolph Community College: Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina by Niche.com and SmartAsset and second in the nation by SmartAsset, the College offers affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs that start throughout the year, both in-person and online. To register for Fall or Winter 2025, visit randolph.edu/register or call 336-633-0200 and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.