State Superior Court Judge Teresa Kondrup-Coyle recently swore in 10 members of the community as Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers for abused and neglected children.
Family members and friends gathered in Superior Court, Freehold, to watch the volunteers take an oath promising to advocate for the best interest of the child, according to a press release.
The newly appointed CASA volunteers join 80 other community members who have been trained and are advocating for foster children in the county’s juvenile dependency court system. As officers of the court, they ensure the children’s needs are recognized and best interests are considered in the courtroom and in the community, according to the press release.
CASA volunteers are asked to meet with the child regularly and are authorized to interview people in the child’s life such as social workers, attorneys and teachers. They attend court hearings with the child and report their findings to the judge.
“Our volunteers pledge to stay with each child until the case is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home,” said Cindi VanBrunt, director of the CASA for Children of Monmouth County. “The advocate can often times be the only consistent adult presence in the child’s life.”
With more than 600 children waiting for a CASA volunteer, many more advocates are still needed, according to the press release. A CASA volunteer must be at least 21 years of age, clear an extensive background screening and successfully complete 30 hours of training.
The next advocate training session for Monmouth County will be held in October. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, call 732-460-9100 or email cindi@casaforchildrenmc.org
