Child Advocate for CASA of Camden County

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Volunteer With CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Camden County INC.

Are you looking for an opportunity to give back to your community and help a child in need?

Each year, hundreds of children in Camden County are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. The state of New Jersey assumes custody of these children. The state may place them in a foster home or other residential facility. Through no fault of their own, these abused children have become a part of an overburdened child welfare system. This is where CASA comes in.

Expectations

CASA volunteers are dedicated individuals who care about kids. A lot is expected of our volunteers, they have an important job to do. Volunteers will not only meet with the child, but talk with child services to learn more about the case, meet with the child’s foster parents, biological parents, teachers, therapists, doctors, and anyone else with knowledge about the child in order to get a clear picture of what this child wants and needs. CASA volunteers will report all this information to the courts and recommend services for the child.

Volunteers will spend a lot of time working independently on these tasks. A supervisor will be assigned to volunteers for when they have questions or concerns. CASA has had fantastic experiences with prior volunteers with backgrounds in education, child services and the legal system. Retirees are also ideal since they bring a lifetime of relevant experiences, strong work ethic and the availability to serve our children best.

Research has shown that children with CASA volunteers

• Are half as likely to re-enter foster care

• Are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care

• Are more likely to be adopted

• Have more services ordered for them

• Are more likely to have a consistent, responsible adult presence

• Spend less time in foster care

• Do better in school

Volunteers qualifications

• Be 21 or older.

• Be able to dedicate time every month to visit the child.

• Proficient in Microsoft Word in order to write court reports and complete volunteer logs.

• Comfortable with visiting homes and going to court in Camden City.

• No prior criminal history or child abuse charges.

• Relevant experience preferred but not required: Past experience working with children or the court system.

If you would like to become a CASA volunteer , please call 856.361.7180 or email blwilliams@casaofcamdencounty.org

For more information about CASA visit www.casaofcamdencounty.org