Advocates Needed to Address Abuse & Neglect Case Increase

As businesses and service providers have been reopening throughout the state, adults have been returning to their workplaces and some students have also returned to classrooms, child welfare advocates have been nervously waiting for the inevitable increases in cases of abuse and neglect that have been revealing themselves for weeks.

Thousands of children were largely isolated from social activities with their peers and from being in the presence of adults outside of their families for the last several months, which means that some instances of abuse and neglect continued much longer than would normally be the case in the past, when children were regularly attending sporting events, visiting school nurses, and attending classes.

The Rio Grande Valley Court-appointed Special Advocates (RGVCASA) program announces a recruitment drive for volunteer advocates who would serve as voices for children. The program’s district—spanning northern Catron County as well as all of Sierra, Socorro and Torrance counties—is the largest geographical service area for CASA programs nationwide.

CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of children within the Seventh Judicial District of New Mexico and serve as officers of the Court.

To become an advocate, successful candidates must complete about five weeks of training available and through video conference meetings with staff guiding them through the coursework. CASA program coordinators will train and mentor the volunteer advocates, assisting them with becoming familiar with the casework and meetings, and eventually with drafting court reports.

CASA volunteer advocates are assigned to specific cases within the 7th Judicial District of New Mexico, and serve as the eyes and ears of the court in cases of neglect and abuse. Advocates are powerful voices in each child’s life, and make a lasting impression on the children they serve.

The reports generated by these advocates and presented to the court directly assist judges in developing informed decision and determining the best course of action in each case based on the needs of these children. Advocacy is a very important and essential duty performed by volunteers for these children.

For more information on how to become a CASA volunteer advocate, or to see how you can help our program, please contact me at 575-894-4437 or rgvcasadirector@gmail.com.

Advocacy is open to those who are legally eligible and who are interested in making a real, positive difference in the lives of children. Consideration is not limited to anyone regardless of national origin, cultural heritage, religious beliefs, racial or gender identity, age, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal Fair Labor Standards.

Together, we can make a difference in a child’s life. Contact RGVCASA today. Training will begin in November. Carlos Padilla, Executive Director Rio Grande Valley CASA