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Child Advocates of Montgomery County stands at the intersection of compassion and circumstance to provide hope for the most vulnerable children and families in our community. We provide support, knowledge, and guidance 1) for prevention through community education, and 2) through volunteer advocacy, for every child we serve.
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Children at Risk
“Children from hard places” is a phrase used to describe children who have experienced difficult circumstances early in life, also known as adverse childhood experiences.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include any potentially traumatic experiences that occur to people under the age of 18. They are common. About 64% of U.S. adults reported they had experienced at least one type of ACE before age 18, and nearly 1 in 6 (17.3%) reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs.
Toxic stress from ACEs can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse
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Child Advocacy
100% of the children served by volunteer Advocates are children and youth from “hard places.”
Advocates provide valuable information and assistance to help ensure a child’s best interest is met.
CHILD WELFARE ADVOCACY: Court Appointed Special Advocates® (CASA) supporting children in foster care whose families are involved in the child welfare system
JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH ADVOCACY: Court Appointed Special Advocates® (CASA) supporting youth involved in the juvenile justice system
EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY (Truancy Prevention): Volunteer Advocates supporting youth struggling with school attendance or participation
Advocates stay by a child’s side and remain a consistent presence throughout each case.
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Prevention Services
Child Advocates of Montgomery County offers prevention services through our Community Education Division and Educational Advocacy Division.
“Children from hard places” is a phrase used to describe children who have experienced difficult circumstances early in life, also known as adverse childhood experiences.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include any potentially traumatic experiences that occur to people under the age of 18. They are common. About 64% of U.S. adults reported they had experienced at least one type of ACE before age 18, and nearly 1 in 6 (17.3%) reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs.
Toxic stress from ACEs can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse
100% of the children served by volunteer Advocates are children and youth from “hard places.”
Advocates provide valuable information and assistance to help ensure a child’s best interest is met.
CHILD WELFARE ADVOCACY: Court Appointed Special Advocates® (CASA) supporting children in foster care whose families are involved in the child welfare system
JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH ADVOCACY: Court Appointed Special Advocates® (CASA) supporting youth involved in the juvenile justice system
EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY (Truancy Prevention): Volunteer Advocates supporting youth struggling with school attendance or participation
Advocates stay by a child’s side and remain a consistent presence throughout each case.
Child Advocates of Montgomery County offers prevention services through our Community Education Division and Educational Advocacy Division.
How can you help?
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Educate Yourself
What does it mean to be an Advocate?
Child Advocate volunteers are everyday people – teachers, business people, retirees, stay-at-home parents, and grandparents – who are committed to making a difference for children and families.
We invite you to join our family of volunteers and make a difference in a child’s life – and your own.
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Become a Volunteer
How do I become an Advocate?
QUALIFICATIONS
A Child Welfare Advocate, Justice-Involved Youth Advocate, or Educational Advocate volunteer must:
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- Be 21 years of age or older.
- Successfully pass screening and background check requirements.
- Complete initial training provided by the CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County program.
(39 hours of initial training (18 in-person classroom hours and approximately 20 online/independent reading hours), plus 3 hours of courtroom observation) - 12 hours of continuing education annually related to the work of best interest advocacy.
- Be able to make a 12-month minimum commitment to a child welfare case (an average of 10-15 hours per month) and/or a 6-month minimum commitment to a Justice-Involved Youth or Educational Advocacy case.
- Be able to keep information confidential and work within established program guidelines.
- Be computer-literate.
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Find a way to Donate
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Change Lives Daily
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Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod. Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Praesent commodo cursus magna, vel scelerisque nisl consectetur et.
What does it mean to be an Advocate?
Child Advocate volunteers are everyday people – teachers, business people, retirees, stay-at-home parents, and grandparents – who are committed to making a difference for children and families.
We invite you to join our family of volunteers and make a difference in a child’s life – and your own.
How do I become an Advocate?
QUALIFICATIONS
A Child Welfare Advocate, Justice-Involved Youth Advocate, or Educational Advocate volunteer must:
-
- Be 21 years of age or older.
- Successfully pass screening and background check requirements.
- Complete initial training provided by the CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County program.
(39 hours of initial training (18 in-person classroom hours and approximately 20 online/independent reading hours), plus 3 hours of courtroom observation) - 12 hours of continuing education annually related to the work of best interest advocacy.
- Be able to make a 12-month minimum commitment to a child welfare case (an average of 10-15 hours per month) and/or a 6-month minimum commitment to a Justice-Involved Youth or Educational Advocacy case.
- Be able to keep information confidential and work within established program guidelines.
- Be computer-literate.
Malesuada Vulputate Ullamcorper Fringilla
Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Cras mattis consectetur purus sit amet fermentum. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis.
Lorem Bibendum Malesuada Tellus
Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod. Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Praesent commodo cursus magna, vel scelerisque nisl consectetur et.