For The Child - Volunteer Opportunites - Child Abuse Response Team

The Child Abuse Response Team (CART)

What is CART?

CART is a group of dedicated volunteers who accompany a child and his/her family through the child’s examination for suspected sexual assault or molestation. Members of the CART team sign up for a week’s shift to carry a pager and respond immediately when they receive a call that a child is being brought in to one of the hospitals served by For The Child for such an exam.

As the child’s advocate, CART members may accompany the child into the exam, help the parents cope with what has happened, and help occupy any other children who have come to the hospital with the family. CART members also provide information for the family about the treatment services offered by For The Child for both the child and the parent(s).

How do I qualify to be a CART volunteer?

Have a desire to help children and their families at a time of great vulnerability and confusion for them.
Have transportation and the ability to respond within an hour between 5:00 PM and
8:00 AM on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and holidays of the week chosen for a shift. Daytime responders are also needed to answer call outs between 8:00 AM and
5:00 PM one day a week or several days a month, by the volunteer’s selection.
Be able to attend supervision and ongoing training for the team on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Attend the 40 hours of training required and provided by For The Child. Contact the number below to inquire about the schedule for the training.

Our July 13, 2010 class schedule:

The 40 hour training will begin on Tuesday evening July 13th at 6 p.m. at our facility on California Avenue – it will last for 3 hours.
A potential volunteer must be interviewed before that meeting and have begun the screening process (fingerprinting, DMV, referrals).

The balance of the schedule will be as follows:

Tuesday, July 20th 6-9
Tuesday, July 27th 6-9
Saturday, July 31st 8:30 to 3:30
Tuesday, August 3rd 6-9
Tuesday, August 10 6-9
Tuesday, August 17th 6-9
Saturday, August 21st 8:30 to 3:30
Tuesday, August 24th 6-9

When a volunteer completes the training they will have a minimum of 2 call-outs where they shadow an experienced advocate.

How Do I Apply?

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