Join the Child Abuse Response Team at For The Child

It’s not an easy job, For The Child admits, but those who have become advocates for children suspected of being sexually abused say it is the most meaningful volunteer work they do.

For The Child, a Long Beach-based nonprofit providing both comprehensive child abuse treatment and trauma-informed mental health care, counseling, and therapy to children and families, is searching for dedicated volunteers to be trained and added to their CART (Child Abuse Response Team). CART is a group of dedicated volunteers available to respond 24/7 to local hospitals in Long Beach, Torrance, and San Pedro when law enforcement believes a child or adolescent has been recently sexually assaulted. The advocate accompanies the victim of any age (from toddler to 21) at the hospital and provides accompaniment and support during their visit, even in the middle of the night.

Volunteers recently shared the details of the job in a video available through the organization’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CUkK3-P5Gc&t=5s In the video, veteran CART members discuss what it’s like to be on the Team and the commonly asked questions potential members have before signing up.

“The training is very good,” said Lisa Callamaro, a 14-year member of the CART, “I didn’t realize how prepared I was until I went on my first case and was able to help the child without a problem.”

For The Child prepares the advocate with 40 hours of training to be ready for any scenario and understand the circumstances. When arriving at the hospital, the advocate has a teddy bear to present to the victim along with materials to color, play games, read books, or other activities in a dedicated room away from a medical exam room when law enforcement brings the child to the hospital.

Each month, the CART advocates participate in a supervision meeting to review the prior month’s cases and learn from each other and support each other.

For the Child is opening its 40-hour virtual training program beginning Saturday, August 19, 2023 via Zoom and ending September 23, 2023 (no class Labor Day weekend). Classes take place Tuesday evenings from 6:00 until 8:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am until 2 pm.

After the training, each new advocate must go on two practicum calls where a senior member of the CART shadows them, ready to assist if needed.

For The Child requires CART volunteers to pass a background check with Live Scan and the DMV. Volunteers must be fully vaccinated and submit proof of COVID vaccinations. After completing the mandatory 40-hour training, they will attend monthly supervision meetings on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. and commit to sign-up for one CART volunteer shift per month (evenings or daytime shift opportunities) for one year.

For more information, contact Isabel Pasillas at ipasillas@forthechild.org or 562-422-8472. CART and follow-up counseling at no charge to families is made possible by a grant from the California Office of Emergency Services and private foundation grants. For more information visit: https://forthechild.org/volunteer/

For The Child's mission is simple and important. Children should be treated with respect and protected from abuse. The nonprofit 501c3 meets this challenge by providing both comprehensive child abuse treatment and trauma-informed mental health care, counseling, and therapy to strengthen families and provide the tools of healing to children.

For The Child’s Vision

All children will have the opportunity to reach their natural potential free from abuse or neglect. Children will be nurtured and cared for in loving families, they will be safe in their homes, their schools, and their neighborhoods.