AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program will hold training for volunteer advocates from Aug. 16-19, 2016 in the Augusta area.
The four-day training is free. Attendees will learn about all aspects of child advocacy work in order to be certified as a volunteer guardian ad litem for the Maine District Court.
Advocates serve children whose parents are involved in a child protection court case. They conduct an investigation and then advise the judge in writing of what they believe is in the child’s best interest. They come from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds and are guided throughout the process by staff attorneys.
Volunteers must be at least 21, but do not need any special training to apply other than having a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Along with the application, three references are required and candidates must complete a background check that includes disclosing any criminal or child protection history.
For further information, visit www.casaofmaine.org. To become a volunteer, contact Maine CASA legal services adviser Darren Defoe Esq. at 213-2864 or Darren.Defoe@courts.maine.gov.
