Each year, more than 2,100 children across Essex County are removed from their birth parents due to abuse, neglect or abandonment and their cases come before Family Court. Through CASA for Children of Essex County, everyday citizens are trained and empowered as officers of the court to help these children and the Judges hearing their cases.
CASA for Children of Essex County is currently seeking volunteers across Essex County to join the 223 advocates that currently serve 530 foster children in the County. New training classes begin September 9, 2014, and applications can be downloaded at www.casaessex.org.
There are more than 1,000 foster children in Essex County who do not have a CASA advocate, and are in need of one. CASA volunteer advocates are appointed by family court judges to serve one child or sibling set at a time and their critical volunteer role is to:
· Dedicate 4 hours per week, on average.
· Visit the child in their foster placement monthly.
· Gain their trust as the “Judge’s Helper”.
· Confirm their safety, wellbeing and identify any unmet needs of the child.
· Visit their teachers and school to advocate for their unmet educational needs, if any.
· Report to the Judge monthly on the child’s well being.
· Become part of a collaborative team serving the child within the child welfare system in Essex County.
Prior to taking on the CASA volunteer’s roles and responsibilities, a CASA advocate must attend a 33-hour basic training program. The Advocate partners with a CASA Case Supervisor who will help guide their work. CASA trainee cohorts start 5 times a year, with the next one taking place September 9, 2014 through October 2, 2014. The CASA trainee cohort will take place Tuesday and Thursday evenings (5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.) with Saturday, Sept 13, 2014 and Saturday, Sept 27, 2014 (9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) included.
If citizens are interested in getting involved with CASA for Children of Essex County as an advocate, please reach out to Volunteer Director, Carol Costello at 973-648-3351.
For additional information on CASA-Essex, please visit www.casaessex.org.
