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Qualifications and application process: |
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Must be 21 years of age and willing to
submit to a criminal
background check and check of the CPS
registry
Ability to commit at least 8 to 10 hours per
month
Ability to work with diverse populations
Ability to work with at risk children (birth
to age 18), family members, professionals, community agencies, and
diverse populations
Ability to communicate both verbally and in
writing
Ability to meet deadlines |
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Pre-Service Training |
• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained
volunteers
who advocate for children who are victims of abuse and neglect.
• The volunteer advocate receives 40 hours of training
before staff, judges, social services staff, probations and
parole officers, guardian ad litems, along with educational
and psychological experts as well. In addition, each
volunteer must complete 4 hours of scheduled court
monitoring at the Newport news juvenile and domestic court
building.
• Following the completion of training, the successful
volunteer
advocate will be sworn as an “officer of the court” and may then
be assigned as a volunteer advocate.
It is then he or she
becomes the voice of a child.
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Specific Duties of the Volunteer Advocate: |
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Visit the child
at least twice monthly and ensure the child’s wishes and desires are
communicated to the court. Ensure that the present
placement is appropriate and is meeting the child's needs.
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Interview the parents, guardians, caretakers, social workers.
Review all records related to the family
to include educational and
medical records when appropriate.
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Gather and assess independent information.
Collaborate with other participants in the
case to ensure the best outcome for the child.
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Prepare written reports for court hearings and attend and
participate
in court hearings. Attend other related meetings
while monitoring the court's
mandates.
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Keep all records and information confidential
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Keep the child
and
caregiver
informed of all aspects of the court
proceedings
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Communicate effectively with all parties involved in the
child’s case |
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