Interested in speaking up for a Maine foster child? The Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is holding its summer training for volunteer advocates August 12-15 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 for the Maine District Court.

Maine CASAs are community volunteers who are appointed to serve as guardians ad litem (GALs) for children whose parents are involved in a child protection court case. CASAs conduct an investigation and then advise the judge in writing of what they believe is in the child’s best interest. The foundation of the CASA’s work is listening to and letting the judge know what the child wishes, according to Maine CASA Program Manager Libby McCullum, Esq., and Maine CASAs excel in that area.

CASAs come from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds and are guided throughout the process by staff attorneys. CASAs each bring a unique perspective from their own life and community to their work as a volunteer.

You can find out more about the Maine CASA Program by visiting our website at www.casaofmaine.org. Please like us on Facebook at Maine CASA.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact Maine CASA Program Volunteer Coordinator Tracy Leigh, Esq. at 287-5829 or email tracy.leigh@courts.maine.gov.