Volunteers are needed to provide a powerful voice in a child’s life. If you are over 21 years of age, have a strong commitment to children, great communication skills, your own transportation, can pass a background check, and are available during the business day for 10-12 hours per month over the course of the next year, please contact CASA of Ulster County at info@casaulster.org or 845-339-7543 by April 16, 2010 to apply for an upcoming training. CASA of Ulster County promotes the best interests of children who have been abused or neglected and are involved in the Family Court system—there are children who need your help!
You Can Speak Up for a Child
Are you a mature, responsible adult?
Do you care about children?
Do you have good communications skills?
Do you have time to commit?
If you answered “yes” to the above questions, you could be a CASA volunteer.
What does it take to become a CASA volunteer?
Commitment
When you take on a case, you take on a child’s future. If you can commit approximately ten to twelve hours per month for one year, you can make a positive difference in a child’s life. It is hard work, but very gratifying.
Objectivity
The CASA volunteer’s role is to promote the best interests of the child. That may not always be what the child wants. CASA volunteers are particularly valuable to the Courts because they must be able to remain objective while gathering information from everyone involved in a child’s life.
Good communications skills
CASA volunteers must be able to talk with a wide variety of people from healthcare professionals to school officials to hurt, angry parents. The CASA volunteer must be willing to consistently communicate with family members and service providers and monitor the child’s progress. CASA volunteers present formal written reports to the court, sometimes speaking in the courtroom on behalf of the child’s best interests.
Training
Applicants to the CASA program are carefully screened and then provided in-depth training on issues including the Family Court system; the child welfare system; family dynamics; the special needs of abused and neglected children; cultural awareness; as well as advocacy and interviewing techniques. Applicants must complete the thirty hour classroom training, as well as six hours of observations in the Family Courts.
Volunteers are required to participate in at least 12 hours of in-service training that is provided throughout the year. Staff is available to discuss your case, offer guidance and make sure you get the support you need.
Who are the volunteers?
CASA volunteers are ordinary people who care about children. They come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. Some work full time, some part time; some are students; some retired; some do not work outside the home. No particular education or work experience is required.
Contact CASA about volunteering today.
We are located on the third floor of the YWCA, at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Maiden Lane on Academy Green in uptown Kingston. Our address, phone and fax are:
209 Clinton Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401-5030
845.339.7543 voice
845.338.0620 fax
Generally, our office hours are 9am to 4pm, Monday through Friday.
We do, however, have a small staff and, at times, we may be in family court or at another appointment.
We encourage you to call first to be certain we are in the office.
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