Our advocates are appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in dependency court. To do this, advocates investigate case facts, recommend a course of action to the court, facilitate the resolution of problems, and monitor progress towards establishing permanency for the child.
Child Advocates are people from all walks of life who step forward to make a difference in a child’s life. Appointed by a judge, they work as trained advocates for children who have entered the court system as victims of abuse or neglect on the part of their caregivers. In many instances, the the child advocate is the one consistent adult in the life of a child, who has already lost so much by the time he or she enters an over-burdened system. Children with an advocate representation generally spend less time in the court system, less time in foster care, and have a better chance at a safe, stable home.
No previous experience is necessary to become a a child advocate! – when you become a volunteer, we’ll provide you with extensive training, constant backup support, and the power to positively influence life-changing court decisions.
In 2019, over 1,500 child advocates provided advocacy for nearly 5,000 abused and neglected kids across Washington. Unfortunately, thousands of children are still unserved. They need your voice!