SMETHPORT — CASA of McKean County has scheduled the next volunteer training session to begin on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m.

The location for this first session is at Lantz Corners Getaway Conference Center at the intersection of U.S. routes 6 and 219 in Lantz Corners. The remainder of the training session dates and times will be established at this meeting.

“If you have ever thought about being a volunteer for vulnerable children, CASA of McKean County is the volunteer experience for you,” according to Suzy Meyer-Page, executive director of CASA of McKean County.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers are specially trained citizen-volunteers who are appointed by the Juvenile Dependency Court to advocate for abused and neglected children. Authorized by the Juvenile Act, the CASA serves as the eyes and ears of the Court by providing fact-based information the Judge needs in order to make informed decisions that are in the child’s best interest. Prospective volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, undergo background checks and fingerprinting. Candidates complete a volunteer application, participate in an interview and complete 30 hours of training.

“Being a CASA volunteer assures that abused and neglected children have a voice in the court system with the goal of a safe and permanent home for each child,” Meyer-Page noted.

It is not too late to sign up for the training session starting next week. If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, whether it is for next week’s session or a later training session, contact CASA of McKean County at 568-2170 or by email at casa@mckeancountypa.org. An on-line application can also be filled out via this link: https://pa-mckean.evintosolutions.com/VolunteerApplication/.