Child Advocates

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Walla Walla Child Advocates provides culturally sensitive best interest advocacy
to children within the court system who have experienced abuse or neglect.      

Our statewide Core Training offers 30 hours of required education to become a Child Advocate.
The schedule is Mon-Thurs, and you can choose between the 10AM-12PM session or 5:30PM-7:30PM session.

After training is complete, advocates are sworn-in as officers of the court. 

Core Training Dates for 2024!

  April 8 - May 1
June 10 -July 3
September 9 - October 2


FILL OUT A  Volunteer Application! 

County Website Road to Becoming an advocate (1)

Volunteer:
Become a Court Appointed Advocate!

County Website Advocate Rainbow
Who can be a Child Advocate/GAL?
Child Advocate volunteers come from a variety of educational, professional, and cultural backgrounds. No special skills are required, only someone who is passionate about supporting the children in Walla Walla and Columbia counties.

To become a Child Advocate/GAL volunteer, you must be at least 21 years of age, be able to pass a background check, participate in an in-person interview, complete 30 hours of pre-service training, and be able to commit 18 months to the program.

Want to help but can't volunteer?
You can donate directly to our program by purchasing items on our Amazon Wish List . 
All donated items are given directly to the children we serve!


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)County Website What does a Child Advocate do (1)


What is a Child Advocate?
Child Advocates are volunteer Guardians ad Litem (GAL) who are appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of children in foster care. Advocates ensure that each child's needs are brought to the forefront of every case and met in a timely manner.

Why Volunteers?
Volunteers bring with them all kinds of professional and life experience. By pairing up the skills and talents of our volunteers with the needs of the case, we can have a greater impact in the lives of the children we serve.

County Website Best Interest 2 (1)What is best interest advocacy?
Child advocates must consider a child's safety, wellbeing, and need for permanence when making recommendations to the court. 

How do Child Advocates serve children?
 We are not mentors but consider ourselves to be case historians. Child Advocates spend 5 to 15 hours a month on average attending court hearings and meetings, visiting the child, making calls and emails to the social workers, and reviewing important records and documents. Advocates compile their findings into a report that is given directly to the judge to review prior to a court hearing. 

How does a Child Advocate make a difference?
We identify barriers and challenges to keep the case moving forward and not become stagnant. We hold the system accountable to further protect a child's right to a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible. Child advocates improve outcomes for children in foster care by helping to decrease their time in the system, ensure their needs are met while in care, and improve the permanency of their case resolution (and not reenter foster care.)

Our goal is for every child in our program to have their very own advocate who can discover and understand the unique needs of their case.

 

Want more information?

CONTACT US

Zach Meyer (509)524-2807 - Program Supervisor
Xochitl Espana (509)524-2809 - Volunteer Coordinator

455 W. Rose Street Walla Walla, WA 99362
E-mail: casainfo@co.walla-walla.wa.us
Facebook: Walla Walla Child Advocates

Fill out a Volunteer Application

Already a volunteer and need to complete your monthly case hours?
Click Here