Friends of Children Inc.

Friends of Children has three main programs to meet the needs of vulnerable children and young people. Our Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program provides training and supervision for community volunteers to serve as best interest advocates for abused, neglected and other vulnerable children and youth involved in the Hampshire/Franklin Juvenile Court. Our FOCUS: Foster Futures program provides trained and supported volunteers in teams of three to match with one young person, 18-24, who has aged-out of the foster care system. This opportunity is, at this time, located in western Massachusetts. Our Children's Union addresses the needs of children in the child welfare system by advocating for statewide policies to improve their lives.

We do this by:

• Encouraging civic engagement in all aspects of the organization
• Informing the public and critical decision makers to promote needed change
• Connecting children, young people and families to critical resources
• Advocating for services when they are needed or denied
• Facilitating collaboration and coordination
• Developing innovative models to support children when service gaps exist
• Conducting Research linked to best practices and public policy