The Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates Program will hold spring training for volunteer advocates March 3-6 in the Augusta area. The four-day training is free. Attendees can learn about all aspects of child advocacy work in order to be certified as a volunteer guardian ad litem for the Maine District Court.

Maine CASAs are community volunteers who are appointed to serve as advocates, called guardians ad litem (GALs), for children whose parents are involved in a child protection court case. CASAs conduct an investigation and then advise the judge in writing of what they believe is in the child’s best interest. The foundation of the CASA’s work is getting to know the child so they can tell the judge what the child wishes, according to a news release from the Maine Judicial Branch’s GAL Coordinator Libby McCullum, Esq.

CASAs come from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds and are guided throughout the process by staff attorneys. CASAs each bring a unique perspective from their own life and community to their work as a volunteer.

Last year almost 500 children involved in a child protection court case had a volunteer CASA who served as the child’s voice in court. Right now there are more foster children than CASA volunteers. If you have a big heart and are willing to speak up for a Maine child apply to become a CASA volunteer. You do not need any special training to apply other than having a high school diploma or GED equivalent. You must be older than 21. Along with the application you will also need to provide three references and must complete a background check that includes disclosing any criminal or child protection history.

For more information about the program, visit www.casaofmaine.org.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact Maine CASA Program Volunteer Coordinator Tracy Leigh, Esq. at 287-5829 or email: Tracy.Leigh@courts.maine.gov.