MHA Westchester's Training to Be a CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocate Begins in January

PRLog (Press Release) - Dec. 13, 2012 - Help a child in foster care by volunteering for The Mental Health Association of Westchester’s (MHA) Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.  CASA uses trained volunteers - Advocates - to assist Family Court Judges in making decisions regarding placement for children who have been abused or neglected, and are in foster care or are at-risk for foster care.  CASA volunteers are assigned by Family Court Judges to monitor cases and advocate for needed services and assist in identifying any barriers to accessing services including education, medical care and mental health treatment.
Dr. Phil and his wife, Robin, official spokespersons for National CASA invite the community to take action: “By either becoming a trained CASA volunteer or donating money, you can make a huge difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. Let’s get involved and keep these kids from falling through the cracks.”  You don’t have to have a specialized education or background; your desire to help children is enough.
Volunteers typically work with only one or two families at a time to assist the Family Court and the child welfare system in making the best possible permanent plan for the child.  Each volunteer participates in a 40 hour training program consisting of class work and court observation, and MHA staff provides ongoing supervision.

CASA’s next volunteer training will begin on January 22, 2013.   For more information on becoming a CASA Volunteer, contact Jackie Boissonnault at 914-345-5900 ext. 7518 or boissonj@mhawestchester.org.
“Making a difference in the lives of these kids is enormously satisfying,” says Barbara Morgen, a CASA Supervisor from Scarsdale, who started out as a volunteer.  “It’s challenging, but we get back as much as we give.”
MHA is a community-based mental health agency that has been helping Westchester County residents for 66 years through direct services, professional and community education and advocacy. MHA supports 20,000 individuals annually through a comprehensive array of mental health services striving to help each individual to achieve their personal goals and to lead independent, healthy and successful lives. For information, visit www.mhawestchester.org.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/12042790/1