Volunteers sought to be 'voice' for a child

The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program of Monmouth County is seeking adults 21 years and older to act as advocates for children who have been removed from their homes because they have been abused and neglected.

A CASA volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. In Monmouth County there are approximately 700 children who are victims of abuse and neglect. Currently there are only 30 CASA volunteers. Caring, committed adults who are willing to speak up for a child as they go through the court system are needed now.

A CASA volunteer assists the Family Court and the Division of Youth and Family Services in protecting abused and neglected children and ensuring that their interests and needs are most accurately represented in court hearings.

Tasks performed by CASA volunteers include gathering information, researching family history, investigating circumstances interviewing relevant parties to a case, reviewing files, documenting findings, preparing reports and making recommendations to the court. The volunteer keeps the judge informed about the child and progress of services provided to the family. The CASA volunteer usually carries only one case or sibling group at a time.

Volunteers are professionally trained, court appointed community members who dedicate their time, talents and hearts by advocating on behalf of their assigned child.

According to a press release from CASA of Monmouth County, research suggests that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers tend to spend less time in court and have less time within the foster care system than those who do not have CASA volunteers. Judges have also observed that CASA children have a better chance of finding permanent homes than non-CASA children.

CASA is considered a judiciary "best practice" and fully supported by the Family Division in the Monmouth County vicinage.

Potential volunteers must complete a background check, fulfill 30 hours of training provided by the program and be able to spend between five and 15 hours a month working on a child's case.

For more information call (732) 660-0015.