CASA Now Accepting Applications for January Training

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Prince George’s County is now recruiting volunteers to be court appointed advocates for children living in foster care. CASA currently has 75 children waiting for an advocate who will help ensure they receive the best care while living in the child welfare system. Applications are now being accepted for a training class that begins in January. Individuals interested in learning more should attend “Cookies, Coffee, and CASA”, an informal information session to be held on December 6th at the CASA office at 6811 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 402 in Riverdale, MD or contact Keyanna McGriff at (301) 209-0491 or volunteer@pgcasa.org. Online volunteer applications can be found at www.pgcasa.org/become-a-volunteer/.

“Currently, CASA has the volunteer capacity to serve about 30% of the 500 children living in foster care in Prince George’s County. Additional volunteers are needed to provide an advocate to every child who needs one,” said CASA’s Executive Director Ann Marie Binsner.

Binsner goes on to say: “Volunteers are trained and supported throughout the entire process so they do not need any special skills. A CASA volunteer is a trusted adult advocate who makes sure that each child has access to services and resources while they are not living with their family. By visiting with the child and others, the advocate makes objective recommendations to the Juvenile Court regarding the well-being of the child and helps facilitate a safe, permanent home as soon as possible."

CASA is central to fulfilling society’s most fundamental obligation by assigning a qualified, compassionate adult who will fight for and protect a child’s right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect and to learn and grow in the safe embrace of a loving family. For more information about CASA, visit pgcasa.org.

About CASA/Prince George’s County:

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Prince George's County is a volunteer-based organization that partners with the juvenile court to improve the lives of children living in foster care who have suffered from abuse and neglect. With a strong commitment to diversity, CASA trains and supervises volunteers from the community who advocate for the best interest of children, recognizing and respecting each child's individual needs. By providing a voice to children in the foster care system, CASA’s goal is to help children and promote the timely placement of those we serve in safe, permanent homes.

To volunteer with CASA, call 301-209-0491 or go to www.pgcasa.org.