Hagerstown, MD (May 10, 2010) - Court Appointed Special Advocates of Washington County has recently been awarded renewed Certification of Membership status by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. This certification is renewed from a 2005 - 06 Membership Application and Compliance Review, and effective until April 2014. It recognizes that the Washington County program is in compliance with National CASA's Association's high standards for quality child advocacy, scoring a 97% cumulative compliance rating.

According to Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association, "The National CASA quality assurance process is very rigorous, and reflects our commitment to ensure every child we serve has the most powerful volunteer advocate working on their behalf. This certification says Court Appointed Special Advocates of Washington County has demonstrated to us a strong capacity to provide excellent services to the abused and neglected children within their community."

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Washington County, under the administration of the Washington County Health Department since 2005, cites that "Washington County has historically had one of the highest rates of indicated child abuse and neglect in Maryland. In 2008, Washington County ranked 21st highest in the rate of indicated child abuse and neglect investigations per 1,000 children. The total number of investigations in which there was irrefutable, credible evidence found was 396, some involving more than one child.' (WC Community Partnership for Children and Families, 2009 Annual Report).

Program officials appreciate Washington County Health Department recognition that child abuse and neglect is a public health care issue, with many families facing alcohol and substance addictions, mental health issues, and teen pregnancy as lead precipitators in child abuse cases, all of which are challenges addressed by the Health Department. He credits the Health Department administration's progressive efforts to alleviate these and many other public health care issues in Washington County as the key to program success.

Officials also applaud the many program volunteers; Advocates who have worked with children of adjudicated cases of child maltreatment in Washington County over the years, and Advisory Council members who provide program guidance and direction. Today, a roster of 30 volunteers, serve as Advocates to children on a one-to-one basis, conducting case background research and interviews with parents, children, family members, mental/medical care providers, foster care providers, school officials and others to determine the needs of each child.

The Advocate's work is culminated in a written report to the court which holds jurisdiction of the child in these adjudicated cases, providing recommendations regarding the "best interests" of the children as it regards family preservation, reunification or out of home placement (foster care), visitation with parents and/or siblings, and mental and medical health care, educational services, and spiritual and community outreach needs of each child.

All volunteers must be over 21 years of age, commit to 30 hours of pre-service training and 12 hours annually of in-service training, commit to 10 hours per month of service work, and commit at least one year of service to provide continuity and stability to the child assigned. Bonebrake states, "the commitments are high, the rewards are intangible, and the cases are highly adversarial, making the service they provide to children of maltreatment invaluable."

Equally, the program values the support to children received from the Washington County Health Department, officials and of the Washington County Circuit Court, the members of the Advisory Council, the Washington County Department of Social Services, and the many community human service agencies and programs serving our community.

Lastly, the program recognizes the friendship to youth through the financial support provided from grants received from the Maryland Department of Family Administration/Administrative Office of the Courts (DFA/AOC), Governor's Office on Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP), Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families, Community Foundation of Washington County, and Antietam Exchange Club, and from private, corporate, civic, fraternal/sorority contributions to the Child Advocacy Endowment Fund, providing support to the programs activities for children.

For more information regarding the program, please call 240-313-3383, TTY 240-313-3391.