‘Friends of Court’ training underway for volunteers

Lending a helping hand is what Harrison County volunteers do as training begins for ‘Friends of Court.’

People who signed up with the Harrison County Advocacy Center have spent some time this week preparing to work alongside chancery court judges with family-related issues to assist those in need.

The trainees have two more days of eight-hour training sessions left.

Tuesday, the volunteers discussed numerous court cases and were lectured by mental health specialist Ciara Hout on how to identify various symptoms and triggers in children and vulnerable adults alike.

One Chancery Court judge tells News 25 how impactful these new volunteers will be to the local community. Judge Margaret Alfonso said, “I mean, it helps me make better decisions by getting the background information by getting the facts. They’re able to go into the home. Make sure that we’re placing kids in good placements, making sure that the elderly are being taken care of in their homes if they’re under a conservatorship, making sure that vulnerable adults have what they need.”

Judge Alfonso says it is not too late to join the volunteer group. If you’re interested contact the Harrison County Advocacy Center for more information at 228-241-1837.