AUGUSTA — The Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program is holding its spring training for volunteer advocates on Tuesday through Friday, March 13 to 16, in the Augusta area. The four-day training is free.

Attendees will 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 (GALs) for children whose parents are involved in a child protection case. The foundation of the CASA’s work is learning about the case, 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.

Along with the application, those interested will need to provide three references and must complete a background check that includes disclosing any criminal or child protection history.

For more information or for an application, visit www.casaofmaine.org or “like” the organization on Facebook at Maine CASA.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact Maine CASA Legal Services Advisor Darren Defoe, Esq., 207-213-2864 or e-mail darren.defoe@courts.maine.gov.