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14 people are interested
Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children
ORGANIZATION: CASA of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties
Please visit the new page to apply.
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14 people are interested
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained volunteers whose role is to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Juvenile Court System. CASA volunteers keep in regular contact with the child and interested parties in the case. Regular contact is at least monthly contact, preferably face to face, with the child. Attorneys, caseworkers, therapists, agency providers, teachers and foster parents need to be contacted to keep updated on changes in the child's situation.
- Advocates are appointed to advocate for the long-term best interest of the child
- Advocates must be consistent in their contacts. Regular, timely contacts are must more credible and show a truer picture of the case than the contacts made just prior to the court hearings.
- Advocates are not mandated by law to "reunite the family" as is true with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
- Advocates work with the professionals who aim in that direction but are expected to work in the best interest of the child, even in the face of a disagreement with DCFS
- Advocates are appointed by the judge to conduct independent investigation and to monitor court orders pertaining to the child
- Advocates may agree to disagree with other professionals
- Advocates must have facts to support their recommendation
- Best interest of the child may require a recommendation of Termination of Parental Rights. The decision for termination should be reached only if all other options have been tried and were unsuccessful (or not appropriate for the child), or the parents failed to cooperate with services to correct the conditions of abuse/neglect. The judge makes the final decision on termination
- Advocates must deal with their personal feelings regarding the permanent severing of the parent-child relationship and the sadness that may be felt towards the parents
- Advocates must focus on the "best interests" of the child
- Advocates strive to make certain that the judge has all the facts, so that the best possible decision can be made for the children in the case
Follow this link to access our volunteer interest form or sign up for an upcoming information session:
Upcoming Trainings | CASA CGS (wespeakupforchildren.org)
More opportunities with CASA of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About CASA of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties
Location:
40 east commerce st, Bridgeton, NJ 08302, US
Mission Statement
The Mission of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties is to ensure that every abused and neglected child has the right to a safe, permanent and nurturing home. We provide a highly qualified and trained volunteer to advocate for the child in the Family Court System. We are a child's voice in Court.
Description
CASA is an agency of community volunteers dedicated to the welfare of abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers stand up for abused and neglected children in court, advocating for their best interests by providing a voice in court proceedings that determine their fate.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
40 east commerce stBridgeton, NJ 08302
DATE POSTED
October 13, 2023
SKILLS
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Background Check
- Must be at least 21
- Orientation or Training
- Advocates volunteer anywhere from 5-20 hours per month depending on what is happening in their case at the time.
- The volunteer will be responsible for meeting with their CASA child at least once per month in-person, unless they sign up as a virtual only advocate.