Kristian Dowling, Getty Images
Kristian Dowling, Getty Images
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There are abused and neglected children in the Pike County court system waiting for a Court Appointed Special Advocate (C.A.S.A.) volunteer.  C.A.S.A. of Pike County, a program of Advocacy Network for Children, is recruiting volunteers for its upcoming accelerated training. 

Training will be held Friday, November 15, from 12:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, November 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 17, from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Training will conclude with court observation and swearing in of volunteers on a Thursday date not yet scheduled with the court.  Training will be held at the Pike County C.A.S.A. office located in the Pittsfield United Methodist Church at 222 North Monroe Street in Pittsfield.

Interested individuals are asked to attend the informational meeting on Wednesday, October 30, at 5:15 p.m.  The informational meeting will also be held at the Pike County C.A.S.A. office and should last no more than 30 minutes.

C.A.S.A. volunteers are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for abused or neglected children in the court system.  Volunteers receive 30 hours of training prior to case assignment.  Training includes courtroom procedures, working with social service agencies and the special needs of abused and neglected children.  Training is free with training manuals and materials provided.

Once trained, C.A.S.A. volunteers work alongside attorneys and social workers from case inception to its completion.  C.A.S.A. volunteers come from all walks of life and no special experience is required.   These trained volunteers will represent abused and neglected children in the Pike County court system.

For more information or to obtain an application, please call Karolina Anton at 217-617-6058 or email kanton@advonet.org.  You can also visit the agency’s website at www.advonet.org.

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