For The Child, a child-abuse prevention and treatment agency, is seeking volunteers for its Child Abuse Response Team (CART).
CART is a group of “highly dedicated volunteers” who accompany a child (infant to 14) and their family through the child’s forensic medical exam for suspected sexual assault or molestation, according to For The Child. Members of the CART team sign up for a four-day weekday shift (daytime or evening) or a weekend shift to respond immediately (be at the hospital within one hour) when law-enforcement activates the team. CART volunteers respond to hospitals in Long Beach, Torrance and San Pedro.
As the child’s advocate, CART members meet the victim at the hospital and provide companionship during their visit by playing games, reading books, doing puzzles or other activities and helping them understand the process. CART members help the parents cope with what has happened and provide information for the family about the treatment services offered by For The Child for both the child and the parent(s).
Volunteers are required to attend 40 hours of training provided by For The Child.
Training includes shadowing an experienced CART team advocate on a minimum of two calls. Training will begin Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 6pm to 9pm. Interviews and screening will be conducted as part of the application process. References will be checked.
Volunteers must supply their own transportation and be able to respond within one hour of being called. Daytime responders are needed Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm, nighttime responders are needed between 5pm and 8am Monday through Thursday, and weekend responders are needed for 24 hours on weekends and holidays, beginning at 5pm Friday.
Interested volunteers should contact Chris Gutierrez as soon as possible so the screening process can begin. Call (562) 422-8472 or email cgutierrez@forthechild.org. A volunteer application is available at forthechild.org .
