CHILD ADVOCATES OF CONNECTICUT INC
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Mission Statement
Child Advocates of SW Connecticut (CAC) is a non-profit that transforms the lives of vulnerable children and youth by providing trained and supervised volunteer advocates in the community and the courtroom.
About This Cause
CAC is a volunteer-powered organization of committed people who believe society has a fundamental obligation to improve the lives of our most vulnerable children. We serve children and youth, ages 0-23, who reside in and around Fairfield County. CAC’s trained volunteer advocates are supervised by CAC staff to advocate for the best interests and well-being of the child. Child advocates use a child-centered, strengths-based approach in 3 program areas - Child Protection Court, Probate Court, and Community Advocates for Children & Youth. Volunteer advocates perform similar functions across all 3 program areas, with some variations particular to each program. All volunteer advocates will use a child-centered, strengths-based approach. All volunteer advocates will perform an independent investigation of the facts, collaborate with the service providers involved in the child’s case and assist both in and out of court to ensure that a child’s needs are met. In addition, oftentimes and very importantly, CAC volunteer advocates become a trusted, caring, and consistent adult in the child's life. Some of the tasks of a child advocate could be, but not limited to: • Meet and spend time with the child on an ongoing and consistent basis. • Investigate the facts; interview all parties involved; review files and records. • Meet and interact with foster parents and guardians. • Interface with medical/mental health, educational and other community stakeholders and systems to assure that the child’s needs and best interests are met. • Attend all meetings related to the child as appropriate, such as PPT's and other school meetings, service provider coordinating meetings, DCF meetings, etc. • Advocate for and serve as a connection to clinical and support services in the community. • Participate in court hearings, conferences, and trials. • Write court reports; make recommendations to the court. • Work closely with attorneys assigned to the case, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and other agencies, to advocate for what is in the child's best interest. • Advocate for increased access to housing, employment, financial stability, unmet educational needs and health care if needed. • At all times, keeping the best interest of the child in mind.