Court-appointed child advocate volunteers needed
The Office of the Child Advocate - Court Appointed Special Advocate Program of Delaware is expanding its efforts to represent the interests of abused and neglected children. The program is seeking qualified adults to serve as CASA volunteers after undergoing specialized training.
CASA volunteers are community members appointed by a Family Court judge to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court proceedings. The CASA volunteer conducts an independent investigation into the child’s life and provides information and recommendations to the judge. CASA volunteers work with attorneys, social workers and family members to attain a safe and permanent home for each child.
CASA volunteers have varied professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. They are selected on the basis of their objectivity, competence and commitment. Each volunteer accepted into the program must complete 30 hours of initial training. Casework supervision is provided by full-time program coordinators.
Currently there are 220 CASA volunteers who advocate for more than 300 children, but there are 200 or more children in foster care who do not have CASAs to be their voices. Volunteers are needed now more than ever.
Classes are forming now for training statewide. For more information or to request an application link, contact Lauren Brueckner at 302-245-1895 or email lauren.brueckner@delaware.gov.
