CASA 101 Volunteer Training

CASA 101 Volunteer Training
Foster Child Advocacy Group Seeks Volunteers
Training Begins September 14th; Opportunity to Make a Difference
Training Location: CASA of Ulster County, 209 Clinton Avenue, Kingston, NY

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) is hosting CASA 101, a comprehensive training for individuals interested in becoming an advocate for children in foster care.

CASA is offering an opportunity for individuals to work one-on-one with children in foster care. Volunteers visit regularly with the children to whom they are assigned, advocate for the child’s best interests and work with others in the child welfare system to ensure that children’s needs are met. The goal is to ensure that children have a voice, that they can heal from the trauma they have faced and, ultimately, that they have the love and guidance of a safe, permanent home. The relationship that develops over time between volunteer and child is often an important constant for a child in foster care.

The need is real. There are approximately 200 children each year in Ulster County who are neglected or abused by their parents and who must be removed from their home.

The mandated thirty hour training continues through the month of October and November. No specific background is required to apply. Applicants should have the ability to give at least ten hours a month and be willing to make a commitment of at least eighteen months.

The training, beginning September 14, 2017, will be held at the organization’s office in uptown Kingston. It will run 10 weeks, through November 16th, from 5:30-8:30pm. An application and interview must be completed before training and individuals are subject to a background check. Must be 21 or older to apply. For more information or to receive an application, call CASA at 339-7543 or visit www.casaulster.org.

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, also known as CASA, is central to fulfilling society’s most fundamental obligation to our children. CASA’s specially qualified, compassionate volunteers guide and support abused, neglected and abandoned children through a time of great vulnerability, fighting for and protecting a child’s right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect and to thrive in the security of a loving family. Our goal is to ensure that children’s needs are met, to promote their healing and to keep the promise of that foster care be temporary. CASA was founded in Ulster County in 1987 and is one of over 950 CASA programs across the country. More information about CASA can be found at www.casaulster.org.