From CASA for Children of Essex County:
Court Appointed Special Advocates — or CASA — is seeking additional volunteers to become advocates for children in foster care.
There are still many children waiting for a CASA advocate to be assigned to their case. CASA will be conducting two volunteer training classes this winter. The 28-hour training course will be offered in January 2017 and again in March 2017.
CASA Advocates are volunteers appointed by the Family Court to gather information about a child’s needs while in foster care and to represent a “child’s voice in court.” For the almost 2,200 foster children in Essex County, their time in out-of-home placement can often be lessened and their chances for trauma recovery greater through the presence of trained CASA Child Advocates. Every day, ordinary people make a difference in the lives of the county’s most vulnerable citizens by becoming a CASA volunteer.
In order to be considered for the volunteer training, interested applicants need to complete an application, an interview and background check. There is still room in the January training class that begins January 19th. Contact CASA Volunteer Director, Carol Costello, to learn how you can become a child’s advocate: 973-622-4831, ccostello@casaessex.org or visit the website at: www.casaessex.org.
