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Become a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or a
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)Volunteer
Are you mature, resonsible adult?
Can you talk to people who are having problems? Are you sensitive to diverse
cultural values? Do you have time to commit to children? Are you looking
for an opportunity for personal growth?
If you answer "yes" to these questions,
you may qualify to be a CASA/GAL volunteer.
CASA/GAL volunteers come from all
walks of life. They have a variety of professional, educaitonal and ethnic
backgrounds. No speaical experience is required. Volunteers are selected
on the basis of their objectivity., competence and commitment.
Once accepted to the program, volutneers
receive speical training prior to being assigned to a case. They learn
about courtroom procedure, the social service andjuvenile court systems,
and the special needs of children who have been abused and neglected.
It takes about 10 to 15 hours of
your time a month to be a CASA/GAL volunteer. It's hard work, but you will
find the results are extremely gratifying.
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Dedicated CASA/GAL volunteers are confronting cases such as these:
Born six weeks premature, a drug-addicted and abandoned child faces an uncertain future. CASA/GAL volunteers are men and women who are concerned about their community's children and willing to commit time to making a difference in their lives. They work for the judge, alongside attorneys and social workers, as appointed officers of the court. They are advocates solely for the child. When a CASA/GAL volunteer is appointed to a child's case, she or he is responsible for taking the time to find out as much as possible about the child. They review records, interview parents, talk to teachers, neighbors, mental health professionals, social workers, therapists, and most important, the child. |
Why is there a Need for CASA/GAL Volunteers? All children have a right to a home with loving people to care for them. But each year int he United States, millions of children are abused, neglected or abandoned by their families. Over 430,000 children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care or institutions. Eventually, they end up in court. Their only "crime" is that they have been victims. In Washinton state, more than 10,000 abused and neglected children are caught up in the court system, where a judge decides their future. In these cases, many children become victims a second time, lost in an overburdened child welfare system that cannot pay close attendtion to each child. Sometimes a child can remain adrift in foster care for months, even years, losing all sense of security and permanency. However, a CASA/GAL volunteer can make the difference. CASA/GAL volutneers are court appointed special advocates who serve as guardians ad litem - trained lay people fromt eh community who act as independent advocates for children. They are appointed by a judge to speak up for abused and neglected children in court.
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| You Can Support Your Local CASA/GAL
Program
The CASA/GAL program was created to support the children of our community. Our goal is to have a CASA/GAL volunteer for every abused and neglected child who needs one. Your local CASA/GAL program is only a postage stamp or telphone call away. Become a volunteer. Make a contribution. Tell others about how CASA/GAL is helping children survive and sustain hope during a frightening and bewildering time. Please take a moment now to fill out the attached form and mail it to us or call our office to express your interest in volunteering or being a contributor. Make a lasting difference in the life of
a child!
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Name (please print) Address: CIty: State: Zip: Phone (work) Phone (home) ___ I would like to receive more information about becoming a CASA/GAL volunteer. ___I can offer the program my sepcial skills as a: ___ Public Speaker
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| Strictly Boys |
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| Juvenile JusticeI Q |
| Juvenile Justice Diversion Program | |
| Juvenile Justice Family Support Center | |
| What is SSODA? |
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Program by Brad Blair