Court Appointed Special Advocates Training

Champaign County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is looking for volunteers. From yesterday's News-Gazette:

Champaign County CASA to begin training new advocates next week
The Champaign County Court-Appointed Special Advocates begin training classes for new advocates next week.

Volunteer advocates are the "eyes and ears of the court" for more than 380 abused and neglected children whose parents are the subject of court action in Champaign County.

Their job is to work with the child and social-service agencies to ensure that the best interests of the child are met throughout the court process..

No experience is necessary, and CASA will train interested advocates who are at least 21 years old, willing to make the time commitment and can pass a background check.

The 30-hour training program for new advocates begins Jan. 22. Training is held three times per week through Feb. 13. The deadline to apply is Jan. 20.

Full blurb here. A brief overview from the CASA website here:

Having a CASA volunteer means having a trained and committed adult, by your side, who has been appointed by a judge to watch over you and advocate for your best interests. That volunteer will make sure you don't get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. They will be there for you until your case is closed. It can make the difference between homelessness and a safe home, between dropping out and completing school, between unemployment and success, between jail and becoming a productive member of society.

Champaign County CASA currently serves approximately 350 children, thanks to our 100 volunteer advocates. The children we serve range in age from newborn to 18 years of age. Last year over 35% were under age 6.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact our office at 217-384-9065 or by email at casa@casa4kids.org.