Advocates Needed for Local Foster Youth: Casa Offers New Flex-Trainings in Dec, Jan

CASA of Union County is seeking Summit residents to step up and be the voice for one of the nearly 600 Union County youth, ages 0-21, currently in foster care through no fault of their own.
Traditionally, the required 30-hour training is held over six weeks, with volunteers meeting several evenings each week. However, two new training options are now available, in response to prospective volunteers seeking more scheduling flexibility. A December training — which begins Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 — allows those home during the day to complete all training within five days from 9 am to 4 pm at the CASA offices; the January training — which begins Thursday, Jan. 12 — continues the traditional six-week format, but incorporates online learning at the volunteer’s convenience, and fewer in-person sessions. Lunch or light dinner is provided. At the conclusion of training, a Superior Court judge swears in the new child advocates at the Union County Courthouse.
Trained CASAs are court-empowered to speak to foster parents, teachers, doctors, lawyers, therapists and more. CASAs visit the youth regularly and incorporate findings into a report for the judge. They attend quarterly court hearings, working to ensure a youth’s time in care is as short as possible and their best interests remain the priority. Although not required, there is an additional need for male advocates and advocates who speak Spanish. Just who is a typical child referred to CASA of Union County? Meet 12-year-old Marissa:
When my mother was pregnant with me, she drank alcohol and used cocaine, and I was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Even though the state was working with my mom to help her get clean and be a better mom to me and my brother, she couldn’t stay away from the drugs and alcohol. My older brother tried to take care of me, but he said it was too hard, and our house was so dirty and cluttered. A worker from the state came and took me, and put me into a foster home. That worker left and I have a new worker. When I met her, she said the plan was for me to go back with my mom as soon as she’s better. I was so happy. But I just found out that now my mom is missing! I’m so worried and hope she’s okay. Is she drinking again? Is she hurt? Every day I wonder what will happen to me and what’s happened to her. I’m so scared. I don’t see my brother anymore at all. My family is so broken and I feel all alone.
Summit residents are encouraged to contact Rachel at (908) 527-7044 or rwhite@casaofunioncounty.org to RSVP for an information session below, or for more details on claiming a seat in the December or January class.
Evening information sessions are: Thursdays, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15 at the County Clerk Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield; morning sessions are 10 a.m. Fridays, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16 at CASA’s offices, 1143-45 East Jersey Street, Second Floor, Elizabeth.