A Local Child In Foster Care Needs You!
Juvenile Court Advocates Needed for Local Youth in Foster Care
Informational Session Offered at Parma-Snow Rd. Library on Thursday, July 25th
CASA of Cuyahoga County, a youth advocacy organization, is seeking caring adults to serve as Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers and work directly with local children and foster-system-involved youth at risk for abuse, neglect, dependency, and aging out of the foster care system. Register online here for the July 25th in-person session and learn how you can impact a local child or youth in foster care.
CASAs advocate for the best interests of vulnerable children, both in courtrooms and in the community. CASAs are legally appointed to children’s cases by the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, and help to provide information the Court needs to make critical decisions in a child’s life. To be effective, CASAs get to know the child(ren), work with family members and caregivers, and interview other significant individuals associated with the child(ren), review educational and medical records, attend Court hearings and make recommendations in court regarding how the child(ren) can achieve permanency, meaning a safe and loving family.
Due to large numbers of local youth in foster care, many more community volunteers are needed to serve as CASAs. CASA volunteer candidates must be age 21 and up, complete an application and interview, pass a background check, and complete 30 hours of Pre-Service training before being formally sworn in by the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court and being assigned to a child’s case.
There is no cost to become a CASA volunteer, but the personal reward that comes from serving a local child in foster care can be great! To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit CASA online, follow @CFAdvocates on social media (FB, LI, X and IG), or contact us: 216.325.7747 or info@cfadvocates.org.
Tricia Kuivinen
Tricia L. Kuivinen is a licensed social worker and versatile nonprofit leader engaged with mission and faith-based organizations. She is currently the Executive Director of Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County.