SMETHPORT — Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of McKean County has scheduled the next Volunteer Training session to begin on March 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Sessions will occur at the CASA office at 201 West Main St., Smethport, and will be held for 9 consecutive weeks, ending on May 11.

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. Prospective volunteers must be at least 21 years of age plus undergo background checks and fingerprinting. Candidates complete a volunteer application, participate in an interview and complete 30 hours of training.

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

Once volunteers are successfully trained, they will be appointed to a case involved in the dependency system and will remain with that child until his or her case is permanently resolved. CASA volunteers are asked to be available 10 to 15 hours per month for a minimum of 18 months.

Studies show that children who have a CASA volunteer reap significant benefits: They spend less time in foster care, have fewer out-of-home placements and perform better in school. They’re also more likely to find a safe and permanent home and receive the necessary services they need to succeed. More than 90 percent of children with CASA volunteers never re-enter the child welfare system.

“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.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should 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/.