A local child advocates' organization is recruiting volunteers. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
Blue Ridge CASA for Children is a nonprofit that trains community volunteers throughout the Shenandoah Valley to become court appointed special advocates, or CASAs. They look out for the best interests of children placed in foster care, usually due to abuse or neglect.
ANGELA CRAWFORD: Really giving the judge eyes and ears into the life of that child.
Angela Crawford is the organization's CEO. She said they're currently able to serve just a third of the children in need of their advocacy, and recently expanded into Shenandoah and Page counties after being requested by judges there.
CRAWFORD: Whoever the children were removed from are typically working to try to take the steps to have the children returned to their home, and so the CASA volunteer monitors that that plan is being followed, and they report back to the judge on the progress of that. Depending on how that plan is being worked, that will determine whether the judge feels that the child can safely return home.
After 40 hours of training, volunteers take on one case at a time, which can last up to a year. The CASA meets regularly with the child or sibling group, and compiles information from social workers, therapists, teachers, and medical professionals.
CRAWFORD: To see a child be reunited with their family, or to see a child possibly in a different relative placement and they're thriving, and you feel like you've had a part of that, is just so rewarding.
No experience is necessary, although you do have to be at least 21 years old with a valid driver's license and pass a background check. The nonprofit is most urgently recruiting advocates in Page, Rockingham, and Shenandoah counties. Applications are available online at blueridgecasa.org through January 17.
