Volunteer training for Court Watch, the Family Court Advocacy Project

Want to help identify and respond to gaps in local services for victims of domestic violence and their children who are navigating the family court system? Volunteer for Court Watch, the Family Court Advocacy Project. Volunteers are needed to observe at least two half-day sessions per month at Los Angeles, Santa Monica, or Van Nuys Courthouse and complete observation forms.

Volunteer training will be held on Monday, August 1, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 2, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The training includes:

* Domestic Violence Basic Training (required for volunteers who have not had approved domestic violence training)--Learn about the dynamics of power and control in a battering relationship, the cycle of violence/control wheel, and the impact of domestic violence/trauma on victims and their children.

* Family Court Systems Training (required for volunteers who do not have legal training)--Learn about the differences between family court, criminal court, and dependency court, gain understanding of family court proceedings, and learn about laws and protections affecting victims of domestic violence.

*Court Watch Observation Training (required)--Learn how to observe and document family court proceedings using an observation form. Training includes definitions of terms, a review of observation protocols, and questions and answers.

Court Watch was launched in 2007 as a project of the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles (NCJW/LA) in collaboration with Westside Domestic Violence network, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, LA Gay & Lesbian Center, Haven Hills, and Sojourn Services for Battered Women and Their Children.

To sign up for the training or for more information about Court Watch, contact Abha Verma, MSW, NCJW/LA Domestic Violence Service Coordinator, at 323-852-8522 or abha@ncjwla.org.