http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/CASAofKernCounty Making a difference...one child at a time en-us http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/CASAofKernCounty/5381 <p>Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Kern County is asking for volunteers to help children in the foster care system.</p> <p>Volunteers spend 10 to 15 hours each month visiting with a child, gathering information and making recommendations to the court in the best interest of the child.</p> <p>One-hour orientations are held throughout the year&nbsp;in conjuction with the three&nbsp;volunteer trainings held in the winter, spring and summmer.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer or learning more about being a CASA, please contact Kate Kenney, CASA Recruiter/Training Coordinator at 631-2272.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/CASAofKernCounty/5379 <font color="#000000"><strong><font face="Arial">Become a CASA</font></strong> </font><font face="Arial" color="#000000">in your community. Be a child's voice in court!<br /> <br /> </font><font color="#000000">Your local CASA program will tell you: how to learn more; when to apply; how you will be screened to assure this is the right volunteer job for you, how you will be trained for this powerful and important role; and how big a time commitment you will need to make. Although it varies from child to child, usually being a CASA means devoting about 8 to 16 hours a month for at least 18 months. The initial training class is 40 hours long. Screening includes an application, written references, interviews, DMV check, and a criminal background check. And its worth it . . . to make a difference in the life of a child.<br /> <br /> Volunteer in another way, contact the <a href="http://www.kerncasa.org/Pages/contact.htm">CASA of Kern County</a>. If you are a professional, you can make a difference by volunteering your expertise as a lawyer, accountant, therapist, or computer expert. If you have skills in public relations, marketing, advertising, fundraising, or public policy, join our board of directors and help assure more children will have advocates in the future. If you like to word process, photocopy, file, and mail, we can use your help in the office. If you are part of a company, club or association, ask us how to make an even even bigger difference with your group</font>!