Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children in Cumberland County, NJ

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Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a national organization with nearly 940 local CASA programs and state organizations. CASA of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties (CGS) recruits, screens and trains volunteers from the community whose role is to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties. These volunteers collect information to provide an objective comprehensive picture of the child's well being to the family court judge. CASA volunteers keep in regular contact with the child and interested parties in the case. Volunteers meet at least monthly, face to face, with the child. They also make regular contact with attorneys, biological parents, caseworkers, therapists, agency providers, teachers and foster parents to keep the judge updated on the current status of the child and to work towards a permanent home for the child living in foster care.

• .Volunteer Advocates are appointed by the judge to conduct independent investigation and to monitor court orders pertaining to the child.
• Volunteer Advocates provide facts to support their recommendations in the written report that is submitted to the family court judge. In their recommendations, they recommend services for children and their families to address their medical, psychological, educational, recreational and permanency needs.
• Volunteers must be at least 21 and must pass all background checks.
• Volunteers must go through a 30 hour pre-service training program and graduates are sworn-in by the court before taking a case.
• Volunteer Advocates must have their own transportation and be willing to travel out of county since a number of our youth are placed in foster homes or group homes out of county.
• In-service training is offered on a monthly basis providing opportunities for continuous learing about the child welfare system, court system and providers throughout the area addressing challenges for children in foster care.
• Each Advocate is assigned to an Advocate Coordinator who provides guidance and resources to the Advocate throughout the case.

Take the first step by signing up for an information session offered 1-2 times a month at wespeakupforchildren.org You may also reach out to us at info@casaofcgs.org to epress interest and a staff person will respond to our inquiry.