PORT TOWNSEND — An orientation session for volunteers who want to enter training to help abused children takes place today in the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St.
The session begins at 10 a.m. in room 160, and is intended to solicit applicants for a training course that begins Sept. 24.
Jefferson County’s Guardian ad Litem program, which has been functioning since 1989, provides volunteers as caseworkers for abused children, investigating individual cases and providing recommendations to the court as to what would be best for the child.
The training session, which includes daily six-hour training sessions for six weeks, covers topics such as relating to children, understanding the court system and problems faced by the parents.
“They are there to advocate for the needs of the children,” said Kristina Whipple, who works as a trainer.
“They gather as much information as they can, talking to everyone who is involved in the child’s life, so they can make an informed recommendation as to the next steps.”
The program has about 30 volunteers. Whipple said she would like to recruit 10 more for the upcoming session.
The kids in crisis tend to be young, with a majority younger than 5 years, Whipple said.
There are some older kids and teenagers, too.
Jake Meyer, who went through the training earlier this year after which he got his first client, said he has found the work rewarding so far.
“These kids need support and at this stage of my life I have the time to help,” Meyer, a retired nonprofit administrator, said.
Whipple said many of those in the program are retired due to the time demands for the job and the training, but there are several younger participants who are looking for new challenges.
“Sometimes a stay at home mom isn’t as busy when the kids are older and they are looking for something useful to do in the daytime,” she said.
Attendance at today’s orientation is not a prerequisite for participation.
Those interested who cannot make the session can catch up in other ways, Whipple said.
For more information, call Paula Martin, 360-385-9190.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.