Want to make difference to families and children who are hurting?

The Covington County Child Advocacy Center is looking for few good men or women to step up and be volunteers.

The child advocacy center opened earlier this year and brings professionals together in one location to help investigate reported child abuse and neglect.

District Attorney Walt Merrell said the CAC incorporates volunteers for numerous purposes.

“The time contributed by volunteers makes a great impact on the lives of the children and are vital to the CAC success,” he said.

Merrell said volunteers will provide support for clients and their families.

“For example, the volunteers will be with the family while the child is talking to the forensic investigator,” he said. “Then, a volunteer will stay with the child, while the forensic investigator talks with the family.”

Merrell said CAC officials didn’t want families to have to be by themselves.

“Volunteers are to greet the families and children who enter the CAC, make sure they are comfortable in the settings, ensure all necessary paperwork is filled out by the parents or guardians, make sure the children are comfortable in the setting, and assist the forensic interviewer and team members as needed,” he said.

A training session has been tentatively set for July 23.

Volunteers will undergo an initial background screening.

Those interested should contact Erin Wilson at the district attorney’s office. She can be reached at 222-2513 or erin.wilson@covicoda.net.