The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program of Monmouth County is seeking adults age 21 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 about 600 children who are victims of abuse and neglect.
A CASA is a caring, committed adult who is willing to speak up for a child as he or she goes through the court system.
According to a press release, a CASA volunteer assists the Family Court and the Division of Child Protection and Permanency 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.
A CASA volunteer keeps the judge informed about the child and progress of services provided to the family.
According to the press release, research suggests that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers spend 7.5 months less time in 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.
To become a volunteer, an individual 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.
The next training session will be held during April.
An information session for interested candidates will be held on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. at the CASA office, 40 Broad St., Suite 202, Eatontown. Individuals interested in becoming a CASA volunteer may call Mary Ellen Rinaldi at 732-460- 9100, ext. 11, for more information.