by Donna McBride, Pinal County Juvenile Court Program Administrator II
The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) programs have launched a new volunteer recruitment campaigns, “Talk About CASA in Your CASA” and “Get on Board with the FCRB.”.
The campaign was announced during the Arizona Supreme Court’s Dependent Children’s Services Division biannual volunteer conference, with this year’s theme being “Volunteers Light the Way.” Volunteers from across the state who share a dedication to the best interests of children in foster care attended.
The campaign emphasizes the power of word-of-mouth by capitalizing on equipping volunteers to be multiples in the lives of the children they serve. The goal is to spread awareness and educate others about what CASA and FCRB volunteers do, and how they advocate for and truly make a difference in the life of a child in foster care.
“With almost 10,000 children in Arizona’s foster care system, there are numerous volunteer opportunities in every county to get involved,” said Charles Gray, CASA Program Manager. “The CASA and FCRB programs are asking people to join as they recruit volunteers to support, mentor, and most importantly, advocate for children in foster care. Pick the program that best fits you! Because each program’s training is so in-depth, experience is not required,”
As a CASA volunteer, you will visit the child, get to know their lives, and advocate for their best interests by making recommendations to the juvenile court regarding services, placement and permanency goals.
Appointed by the court, CASA volunteers dedicate an average of 12 to 15 hours per month. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, pass a fingerprint background check, and complete the required pre-service training.
FCRB volunteers serve on a five-member review board comprised of citizens from across the community.
The board meets via ZOOM one weekday per month from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the board review the cases of children in foster care, speak with the interested parties, consider appropriate services and permanency goals, and makes recommendations to the juvenile court.
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, pass a fingerprint background check, and complete the required new board member orientation.
To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer visit,
www.AZCASAVolunteer.org.
To learn more about becoming a FCRB volunteer visit, www.azfcrb.org.
