Virtual training sessions set for CASA volunteers

“Being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is not only a rewarding experience, but also life-changing for children who need a caring adult to intervene on their behalf, ” according to Advocacy for Children President Rachel Castillo. “Our CASA volunteers provide a source of support for children in foster care and are a vital part of the process to move these children to a safe and permanent home.”

Beginning Oct. 1, a series of virtual training sessions will prepare new volunteers to assess a child’s situation by talking to anyone who knows the child and reporting recommendations in the best interest of the child to a judge. CASAs are vital to the outcome of children in the foster care system, according to Castillo.

Because of the pandemic, Advocates has arranged virtual training so the program can keep up with the high demand. In Bartow County alone, more than 300 children were in the foster care system this past year, each of them needing an advocate. And the numbers are rising. Castillo says about 60% of those children were victims of drug and alcohol abuse, a heartbreaking statistic.

“We need CASA volunteers with strong communication skills, compassion for children and ability to be objective,” she said. Typically, Dept. of Family and Children’s Services caseworkers have such an extensive caseload that their time with each child is limited. CASA volunteers can invest time in observing, interviewing and researching what and who will best serve the children.

“CASA volunteers are the support and the voice for the children we serve,” Castillo explained. Abused or neglected children can have multiple DFCS case managers and even multiple foster family placements. The one constant and stable presence in their lives is their CASA volunteers. “The relationship is valuable in so many ways.”

The qualifications are simple. In addition to deep compassion for children, volunteers must be 21 or older and undergo a background check. In addition, a 40-hour training program prepares prospects for a wide array of situations and guides them in managing the process.

Each day, Georgia has an average of 33 confirmed cases of child abuse. That devastating figure is indicative of a broad spectrum problem that stems from drug and alcohol abuse, anger, a family history of abuse and other issues. CASA volunteers can help children navigate the foster system in an effort to find safe and stable homes.

While the training will equip volunteers to help transform the lives of children who need trusted adults., it also enhances the person volunteering, Castillo explained. “Helping an at-risk child is life-changing for the child, but it’s also life-changing for the volunteer. We can’t put into words the impact this volunteer program is making.”

For details on the training program, call Scott Sherwin at 770-386-1060, ext. 241 or email scott@advochild.org.