The Child Abuse Response Team (CART)
What is CART?
CART is a group of highly dedicated volunteers who accompany a child and his/her family through the child’s examination for suspected sexual assault or molestation. Members of the CART team sign up for a 4 day weekday shift (daytime or evening) or a weekend shift to respond immediately when they receive a call that a child is being brought in to one of the hospitals served by For The Child for such a forensic medical exam.
As the child’s advocate, CART members may accompany the child into the exam, help the parents cope with what has happened, and help occupy this child and any other children who have come to the hospital with the family. CART members also provide information for the family about the treatment services offered by For The Child for both the child and the parent(s).
How do I qualify to be a CART volunteer?
- Have a desire to help children and their families at a time of great vulnerability and confusion for them.
- Have transportation and the ability to respond within an hour of a “call-out” during the shifts you choose: Daytime responders are needed Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM; night time responders are needed between 5:00 PM and 8:00 AM Monday through Thursday and weekend responders needed for 24 hours on weekends and holidays (beginning at Friday 5 PM). Shifts range from 3 to 5 consecutive days on the week the volunteer chooses depending on the time of shift.
- Be able to attend supervision and ongoing training for the team on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in Long Beach.
- Attend the 40 hours of training required and provided by For The Child. Training includes shadowing an experienced CART team advocate on a minimum of two calls.
- A potential volunteer must be interviewed before the training begins and must have completed the screening process (fingerprinting, DMV, referrals) prior to training or within 2 weeks of the beginning training.
Call 562-422-8472 to inquire about the next 40 hour training available.
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