As part of the IDOL Academy program, students are given the opportunity to work on real-world projects that not only enhance their skills but also make a positive impact on the community. One such project was completed by Kari Ostler, a dedicated and passionate student who took on the challenge of creating a learning solution for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

CASA is a non-profit organization that aims to advocate for the best interests of children who have been placed in the State’s custody due to abuse or neglect. As a volunteer, Kari noticed a common issue among her fellow volunteers - the lack of knowledge on how to write a Court Report. This led to increased workloads for the CASA Advocate Supervisors who had to spend a significant amount of time reviewing and revising the reports.

With this problem in mind, Kari set out to create a comprehensive training program for the volunteers to learn how to write effective Court Reports. She used various tools such as Section 1 of the Design Workbook, The Do It Messy Approach, and the Green Possum Brand example to guide her in the project. Through demonstration and application, Kari meticulously analyzed each section of the report to understand the required content and formatting, ensuring that the volunteers would be well-equipped to write their own reports.

The impact of this project is yet to be fully realized as the training program is still in development. However, the results that Kari has seen so far have been significant. She has not only experienced personal growth through this project, but she has also learned a great deal about the process of instructional design and development. This project has also given her the opportunity to make a positive impact on the volunteers and the CASA Advocate Supervisors, who will benefit from the reduced workload and improved Court Reports.

Kari's dedication and hard work in completing this project are truly commendable. Her passion for helping others and making a difference in her community is evident in her project and her commitment to the IDOL Academy program. As she continues to work on the final stages of the training program, we have no doubt that it will have a big impact on the volunteers and the CASA organization.

We are proud to have Kari as a student in the IDOL Academy program and we look forward to seeing the full results of her project. Congratulations, Kari, on a job well done! To learn more about Kari and her achievements, connect with her on LinkedIn