DANVILLE — CASA of Vermilion County has about 40 "dedicated" volunteers advocating for about 65 local abused and neglected children.

But, agency officials said, they need more court-appointed special advocates, particularly men.

"It's huge," advocate coordinator Kerrie Gill said of the need. She said the county has about 350 children in the foster care system, and the agency would love to be able to serve all of them.

"We especially need male volunteers," Gill continued. "It's so important for boys to have a good role model and someone to look up to."

To become an advocate, volunteers must pass a background check and complete a 30-hour training course.

A fall training course will be held from Sept. 13 through Oct. 13. Training sessions are from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the board room of the Danville Township Building, 101 W. North St.

Training is conducted by CASA staff in small groups of six to eight. The nationally-recognized curriculum includes information on the juvenile court process, child abuse and neglect laws, child development, risk factors of child abuse and much more. Training also will include guest speakers with expertise relating to advocates' work.

Upon successful completion of training, advocates will be sworn in as officers of the court and become eligible to advocate for a child, ranging from a newborn to age 18, or sibling group.

Advocates will gather information about the child or children by talking to caretakers, caseworkers, teachers, doctors, counselors and other service providers, then report their findings to a judge. Then the judge will use the information to help make decisions about the child's case.

Advocates will receive step-by-step guidance and support from CASA staff as they work their assigned case.

Call the CASA office at 446-5975 to sign up for the training or get more information.