Child advocacy training set
AUGUSTA — The Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program will hold training for volunteer advocates from Aug. 16-19 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.
Last year, nearly 400 children involved in a child protection court case had a volunteer CASA who served as the child’s voice in court.
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.
