AUGUSTA — Interested in speaking up for a Maine foster child? The Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program is holding its spring training for volunteer advocates on March 19 to 22, in the Augusta area.

The four-day training is free. Attendees learn about all aspects of child advocacy work in order to be certified as a volunteer guardian ad litem in the Maine District Courts.

Maine CASAs are community volunteers who are appointed to serve as guardians ad litem for children whose parents are involved in a child protection case. The foundation of the CASA’s work is learning about the case and then advising the judge in writing of what he/she believes is in the child’s best interest.

CASAs come from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds and are guided throughout the process by staff attorneys. CASAs bring their own unique perspectives to their work as volunteers.

Last year, hundreds of children involved in a child protection 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 also be over 21. Along with the application, you will need to provide three references and must complete a background check that includes disclosing any criminal or child protection history.

Are you ready to stand up for a child who needs you? If so, come to the March 19 to 22 training. You can find out more about the Maine CASA Program and the application by visiting the website www.casaofmaine.org.  You can “like” the program on Facebook at Maine CASA.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact Maine CASA Legal Services Advisor Darren Defoe, Esq. at 213-2864 or e-mail: darren.defoe@courts.maine.gov