AUGUSTA — The Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates program is seeking volunteers to serve as advocates for children in child protection court cases.
CASAs, or guardians ad litem, conduct an investigation and then advise the judge in writing of what they believe is in the child’s best interest. The foundation of the CASA’s work is getting to know the child so he or she can tell the judge what the child wishes, according to Maine Judicial Branch’s GAL Services Coordinator Libby McCullum.
CASAs come from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds and are guided throughout the process by staff attorneys. Last year, nearly 400 children involved in a child protection court case had a volunteer CASA who served as the child’s voice in court.
Volunteers must be 21 or older and have a high school diploma or general education diploma equivalent. They must also provide three references and complete a background check, including the disclosure of any criminal or child protection history.
The next free training session will be held from Aug. 16 to 19 in Augusta. Attendees will learn about all aspects of child advocacy work in order to be certified as a volunteer guardian ad litem for the Maine District Court.
FMI: 207-213-2864, darren.defoe@courts.maine.gov, www.casaofmaine.org, www.facebook.com/MaineCasa.
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