-
19 people are interested
Volunteer CASA Child Advocate
ORGANIZATION: SERVICEHEART
Please visit the new page to apply.
-
19 people are interested
CASA volunteers are everyday people - teachers, business people, retirees, stay-at-home moms, and grandparents - who are committed to making a difference for children who might otherwise slip through the cracks in an overburdened foster care system. They are appointed by judges to guide one child or one set of siblings through the system to a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible. CASA volunteers research case records and speak to each person involved in a child’s life, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and social workers. They monitor the progress of the child and family throughout the case and advocate for the child’s current and future needs in court in school, and in agency meetings. Their independent evaluations allow the court to make better informed decisions.
Because Court Appointed Special Advocates serve on one case at a time, they truly get to know the child and can give each case the sustained, personal attention it deserves.
We invite you to join our family of volunteers and make a difference in a child’s life - and your own.
More opportunities with SERVICEHEART
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About SERVICEHEART
Location:
700 1st St. #713-B, Alamogordo, NM 88310, US
Mission Statement
The mission of Serviceheart, inc. Non-profit, CASA Program of Otero and Lincoln County is to provide specially selected and trained community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the pursuit of safe and permanent homes. The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who advocate for this vulnerable population. CASA’s goal is to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect, in our commitment in advocating for the children in foster care. CASA works within the 12th Judicial Court.
Description
The average case in the foster care system lasts 18 - 24 months, and many times a CASA volunteer is the only constant presence in the child’s life during this time, and foster homes and social workers change. We provide a positive adult role model, and ensure that these children to not get lost in the legal or foster care system by acting as their voices and advocating for their best interests.
These children are already suffering the effects of abuse, neglect and trauma. They have been removed from familiar environments and placed into strange confusing situations, often separated from siblings. Our goal is to provide court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in the Otero and Lincoln counties foster care systems can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. The effects of having a CASA to a foster child are many and I would like to share just a couple with you. Children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to be adopted. They spend less time in long term foster care, and are half as likely to reenter the system. They do better in school and have a more positive outlook towards their future. We currently serve over 125 children in our local communities.
Our goal is to provide court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in Otero and Lincoln counties foster care systems can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. To keep our program growing and accomplish our goal of advocating for these children in crisis this we need your help.CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
700 E. 1st St.Suite 713-BAlamogordo, NM 88310
DATE POSTED
May 26, 2023
SKILLS
- Youth Services
- Child Welfare
- Advocacy
- Child Advocacy
- Verbal / Written Communication
- Social Work
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Background Check
- Must be at least 21
- Orientation or Training
- Averaging 3-5 hours a month to include monthly visit with child, writing reports and attending hearings.