PHOENIX – Each May, during National Foster Care Month, CASA of Arizona (CASA) and the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) raise awareness for children and families involved in the Arizona foster care system and the need for more people to volunteer to make a difference.
Earlier this month, CASA launched two new commercials to help with its ongoing recruitment efforts: “That Voice Could Be Yours” and “Become a CASA.”
CASA of Arizona and the FCRB train volunteers throughout the state to help children navigate what is often an unfamiliar environment, new people in their life and/or a new school. These volunteers are highly trained and passionate about making a difference in and advocating for the children.
These children deserve a voice, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) and FCRB members serve as their voice in court.
A CASA volunteer will get to know the child and every aspect involved in the dependency case and then advocate for the best interest of the child to the judge. That information aids the judge in determining the best course of action for the child, while reunification remains the goal.
A FCRB volunteer is appointed by a judge to serve on a 5-member panel that meets online once a month to review the cases of children in foster care.
Each of Arizona’s 15 counties is seeking CASA and FCRB volunteers to meet the needs of children. Anyone 21 years of age or older, who can pass a thorough background check and complete training, is encouraged to apply.
Be informed and get involved. Learn more:
- To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer visit, www.AZCASAVolunteer.org
- To learn more about becoming a FCRB volunteer visit, www.azfcrb.org
- To learn more about becoming a Foster Parent visit, dcs.az.gov/foster/learnmore
