“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Gandhi
By Carol Leish, MA
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Ventura County has been servicing foster youth since 1985,” according to Barbara Parks, MBA, Marketing Communications & Recruitment Coordinator. “Originally CASA of Ventura County operated under Interface Family & Children Services. In 2011, we emerged from Interface and became a fully independent 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. The CASA program originated in Washington State in 1977 and is a national organization, with programs across the country supporting children in foster care.”
CASA of Ventura County believes that every court-dependent abused or neglected child should be save, have permanence and the opportunity to thrive, and have a strong compassionate volunteer advocate.
“In 1983, a Ventura County public defender brought the concept of CASA to the attention of the Dependency Court. The judge presiding over the court was fully aware of the growing need for ‘a consistent adult to look out for the best interest of an individual child.’ The CASA of Ventura County program supports youth in foster care ages 0-21,” according to Parks. “Currently, a large portion of our waitlist consists of infants and toddlers (ages 0-5). We are actively seeking more volunteers to advocate for our youngest children and also seeking bilingual volunteers.
“We ask volunteers to commit to their case until the end of dependency. Cases typically last 12-18 months, though timelines can vary. CASA volunteers are often the only consistent, positive adult in a foster youth’s life, making reliability essential. This is a unique and meaningful volunteer opportunity. In addition to traditional advocacy, CASA also offers a Tutoring Program that provides academic support to help youth thrive in school, as well as a Juvenile Justice program in which trained volunteers support youth involved in the juvenile justice system, ensuring that they receive guidance, encouragement, and a dedicated advocate during a critical time in their lives.”
In regards to becoming a volunteer, Parks said, “The first is to attend an information session. You can sign up by completing an inquiry form at www.casaofventuracounty.org; or, by calling us at: 805-389-3120. You will initially learn about the requirements, rules and responsibilities of a CASA volunteer. After attending the initial information session, applicants apply, complete a background check, and once approved, participate in our 40-hour training program. Janet Barron, MPH, does our training sessions. We offer four training sessions per year. After training, volunteers are sworn in as officers of the court.”
Make a difference by becoming a CASA volunteer in an important program within Ventura County.
