Question: I am a junior in college and am thinking about going to law school after I graduate. I want to become an advocate for children. This summer, I have time to volunteer. Can you recommend some agencies that will provide me with some experience in child advocacy?

Response: Child advocates represent the rights and interests of children and their families in educational and legal matters.

While there is no specific training required for this work, advocates generally have education and experience in the area in which they are functioning. For instance, a background in special education or teaching is critical for advocates of children with special needs, who are seeking services from school systems and community organizations.

Child advocacy is often provided by mental health counselors, social workers, or lawyers. Many advocates have master's level education in their field.

Volunteer Resources:
CASA
201 Centre Plaza Drive
Los Angeles, CA 91754
(323) 526-6666
Fax (323) 264-5020
www.casa.org
E-mail: casala1@earthlink.net
Contact: Christine O'Rourke, Recruitment/ Training Coordinator
Court Appointed Special Advocate, CASA, is a court appointed special advocate program that recruits volunteers from the community to investigate the circumstances of the child, facilitate the provision of services, monitor compliance with court orders, and advocate in court and in the community for the best interests of the child. CASA is a national program with more than 52,000 volunteers, a quarter of them over age 50.

Volunteers work in over 900 US communities and represent more than one-third of the nations' half-million-plus foster children. There are currently over 200 volunteers in Los Angeles. The task of each volunteer is to focus on the needs of one or a small number of children who are in foster care because of abuse or neglect. The CASA volunteer role is to represent the best interests of the child.

The volunteer program involves in-depth training on issues of the court process, child development, abuse and neglect, cultural competency, advocacy and interviewing techniques, HIV and other public health topics. A volunteer supervisor or program director is available to discuss cases, help problem solve and make sure volunteers get any legal support they need. Many programs have mentor components where experienced volunteers are matched up with new volunteers.

In order to become a volunteer with CASA, candidates must have basic communication and writing skills. The volunteer role is to make independent assessments of children in foster care through interviews, by attending the child's school and meeting with teachers. Volunteers monitor what is happening with a child, and keep in contact with all of the parties involved with the child.

Investigations by volunteers lead to evidence as to what the child needs. Volunteers submit written reports on cases. There is no particular educational or experience requirement but volunteers need to be available 5 to 6 hours per week over a one-year period.
Mental Health Association in Los Angeles County
1336 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90017-1705
(213) 413-1130
Fax (213413-1114
www.mhala.org/advocacy
E-mail: mailbox@mhala.org
This is an association of a staff of attorneys, social workers, and education and government benefits experts, along with volunteer attorneys and student interns, who provide legal assistance to more than 2,000 individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities each year. The association has set up an advocacy program titled Mental Health Advocacy Services with an emphasis on improving treatment, increasing benefits and funding, and securing housing.
Team of Advocates for Special Kids, T.A.S.K.
Southern California's Family Information and Resource Center
100 W. Cerritos Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 533-TASK
www.task.org
This is a non-profit, charitable organization, whose mission is to enable individuals with disabilities to reach their maximum potential by providing them, their families and the professionals who serve them with training, support, information, resources and referrals, and by providing community awareness programs.

The organization offers a variety of training and workshops around Southern California for families and individuals interested in issues relating to children with special needs. The workshops are scheduled in the afternoon and/or evenings. The types of workshops offered are as follows: 1/2 Day Workshops ($25/per person), Basic 1 Day Workshops ($35/person), 2 Day Workshops ($45/person), Multi-cultural Outreach How-To ($200 + travel — includes 4-5 multicultural staff). Annual individual membership is $30.
Connections For Children
2701 Ocean Park Blvd. #253
Santa Monica, CA 90405 v(310) 452-3325
Fax (310) 452-3984
www.cfc-ca.org
This is a nonprofit agency serving child care providers, educators, and parents in the West Los Angeles and South Bay communities that offers assistance to parents and child care professionals seeking information, referrals, and education. The agency web site provides a link where potential candidates can post their resumes.
2nd Agency Location:
South Bay Office
2850 West Artesia Blvd. #206
Redondo Beach, CA90278
(310) 921-9924
Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services
3200 Motor Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 89934
(310) 836-1223
Fax (310) 204-4134
www.vistadelmar.org
Contact: Karina Foonberg, Volunteer Coordinator
This is a nonprofit agency that's dedicated to the well-being and care of children and families in Southern California who suffer the emotional, physical, psychological and social consequences of abuse, neglect and abandonment. Those wishing to work as a volunteer must be at least 21 years of age, willing to make a commitment of at least six months, undergo extensive screening and attend orientation and training sessions.

The many types of volunteer services include remedial tutoring, playgroup buddies, and agency fundraising. Interested candidates can apply for volunteer positions on their web site through an online application. The agency web site also provides an online listing of job opportunities.
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 620-3660
Fax (703) 264-9494
www.cec.sped.org
E-mail: service@cec.sped.org
California Chapter
Long Beach
Contact: terrarc@aol.com
This is an international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. Membership benefits include career development programs, network and leadership opportunities at local chapters, receipt of industry publications and an online link of job opportunities in special education. Individual membership dues for California residents are $99.

Advocacy Resources Online
LDOnline
www.ldonline.org
LDOnline is the interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and children.
National Parent Network on Disabilities (NPND)
www.npnd.org
National Parent Network on Disabilities is to provide a presence and national voice for ALL families of children, youth and adults with disabilities.
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights (PACER) Center
www.pacer.org
www.ideapractices.org

This site answers your questions about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, keeps you informed about IDEAs That Work, and supports your efforts to help ALL children learn, progress, and realize their dreams.
Learning Disabilities Association (LDA)
www.ldanatl.org
Learning Disabilities Association is a national organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all individuals with learning disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, research and service, and through collaborative efforts.
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD)
www.rarediseases.org
National Organization for Rare Disorders is the only organization of its kind--a unique federation of more than 140 not-for-profit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders and disabilities.
Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI)
www.seriweb.com
Special Education Resources on the Internet is a collection of Internet accessible information resources of interest to those involved in the fields related to Special Education. This collection exists in order to make on-line Special Education resources more easily and readily available in one location. This site will continually modify, update, and add additional informative links.
The Nation's Disability Rights Network
www.protectionandadvocacy.com
Exceptional Parent Magazine
www.eparent.com
Exceptional Parent Magazine's online resource - information, support, ideas, encouragement and outreach for parents and families of children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.
For Parents and Caregivers of Children with Special Needs
www.specialchild.com