FRANKLIN COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Franklin County is looking for more mandated reporters of abuse and neglect when it comes to children in the county.
There are currently 26 court appointed special advocates and more are needed to help with an increase in cases. To continue making a difference in a child's life, the Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center is recruiting volunteers to serve as advocates for children in the community.
"To investigate the case they have been assigned. The other is to write a report and make recommendations, monitor the case for court compliance. We stay involved with the case until there is no longer an issue before the court and the judge makes a final order and we assist guardians ad Litem," said Karen St. Clair, the director of volunteer services for Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center.
Volunteers will speak up for children who are involved in judicial cases related to abuse, neglect, or children needing supervision. For the past year, Nanette Lester has been a court appointed special advocate. Lester said she was drawn to the program because of her passion for children.
"Seeing a child go from a perhaps dangerous situation to somewhere safe and somewhere they can grow and develop and be okay," said Lester.
The program covering Pittsylanvia and Franklin counties currently has a waiting list of about seven children needing advocates.
"I am fortunate that I have 26 wonderful volunteers and they work very hard, but they are only allowed to have two cases at a time." said St. Clair.
"This does take some time. More time than I realized it would but that does not stop me from wanting to do it," said Lester.
Previously a volunteer, Neil Stone has been a mentor for the program for three years, helping to train others.
"One of my responsibility is to help the new CASA get organized and how they go about work. I happen to use at notebook method and the other is to make sure they're interviewing parents and teachers properly. It is a major part of our investigation," said Stone.
"One of the wonderful things about the program here that not all cost of programs have is we have mentors. I have been on two cases where I have had a mentor. And that's been helpful in getting started. I am now on my first case alone," said Lester.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SOUTHERN VIRGINIA CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER:
Before entering the CASA new recruit training class, a number of local, state, and national background checks will be conducted. Staff will also conduct character reference checks and personal interviews. Individuals entering into the training program will receive 40 hours of intense training related to their volunteer duties and two additional 2 hours of court observation. After being sworn-in they are mentored by an experienced volunteer for their first two cases. All CASA volunteers are asked to make an annual commitment of service. CASA volunteers should be able to commit to 5-10 hours a month, after new recruit training, and should be able to appear in court for hearings.
Training begins March 27th and will be at the Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center located at 300 South Main Street in Rocky Mount. For more information, on CASA and all our service programs look at our website at www.southernvacac.org