WHAT'S HAPPENING

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Step 1: Attend a Mandatory Orientation
Orientations are a great way to find out more about becoming an advocate, have your questions answered, and meet current advocates and our staff. Orientations are held in our Milpitas office. You must attend an Orientation before starting the training program. Check the Orientation schedule now.

In lieu of becoming an Advocate, you might consider other volunteer opportunities.

Download the Application and Trainee Agreement

Step 2: Complete 30 Hours of Training and a Successful Background Check
Training is essential to ensure the best possible experience with your child. Training consists of nine sessions and teaches you how to be an effective Advocate for your child. During training, you will learn about the child welfare system, how to work with children involved in the system, how to answer questions about the court process and educate the child and the family about available services, plus other skills necessary to help your advocate child.

Why do we perform a background check? Just as a social worker provides an in-depth report on each advocate child, we similarly perform a background check on each potential Advocate, so we can build a trusting and open environment for Advocates and their child.

Step 3: Meet Your Advocate Child
After you complete training, and work with our staff to choose a child that is right for you, you will have the opportunity to meet with that child. This is the time to determine whether your personalities go together and to make sure both of you are excited about spending time together.

Step 4: Serve as an Advocate and Mentor for Your Advocate Child
This is by far the most rewarding step. Regular meetings with your child allow you to gauge how he/she is doing in school and in their foster home, and to provide guidance, if needed. Taking your child out for activities he/she enjoys not only gives them an opportunity to open up and feel special, but also builds their self-esteem. Spending time with an adult who they can look up to and trust makes all the difference in the world.