HADLEY — The Franklin/Hampshire Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program run by Friends of Children is seeking volunteers to help advocate for children in the foster care system.
Over its 30-year history, Friends of Children has served many struggling through difficult times in their lives. According to a Friends of Children press release, CASA volunteers are trained to help children and youth in Franklin and Hampshire counties, from birth to age 18, who are involved in the Juvenile Court system, many of whom have been abused and neglected.
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children’s best interests and stay with each case until it is closed. According to the release, volunteers work with legal and child welfare professionals, educators and service providers to ensure judges have the information they need to make well-informed decisions for each child.
“Best-interest advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin, if that can be safely achieved,” CASA Director Debi Belkin said. “Most of the children we work with are in foster care, but some are with their family of origin.”
Volunteers are asked to make an 18- to 24-month commitment, pass background checks and attend a 24-hour training program, according to the release. Once a CASA volunteer, there is ongoing professional supervision as well as peer support and topical training opportunities.
“CASA volunteers lend a voice to children involved in the court and the child welfare systems,” Belkin said. “We need volunteers more than ever as we strive to work with all children needing advocacy services in Franklin and Hampshire counties.”
No special experience is required. Interested potential volunteers can visit friendsofchildreninc.org/volunteer-form or call 413-586-0011. Training is scheduled to begin in March.