mh/abuse.pr                               Contact:  Shelley Lipton or
                                             Hannah Sassoon, (301) 986-5885

COUNTY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS 
FOR ABUSED PERSONS PROGRAM              For Immediate Release: June 6, 1996


     The Abused Persons Program of Montgomery County's Department of Health
and Human Services is seeking volunteers to work with victims of domestic
violence who are seeking legal remedies for protection.
     Volunteer are being recruited to serve in any of the following
positions:
     o Court Companions -- who accompany clients to civil and criminal court
     proceedings and offer support and information to victims throughout the
     legal process; and
     o Victim Assistants -- who work in court house providing information and
     practical help to domestic violence victims seeking protective orders; 
     Volunteers are required to attend a 20-hour course to learn about
 the program, the court system and domestic violence laws.  Training is
conducted at the Bethesda offices of the Abused Persons Program, with site
visits to the courts.  
     In addition, court companion volunteers must be available "on-call" one
day a week for morning or afternoon court sessions.  Volunteers are expected 
to serve for at least one year.
     Interested citizens may apply for this position.  Bilingual persons are
                                  -more-


ABUSED PERSON PROGRAM                                  2-2-2-2

encouraged to apply.  Applications will be accepted through August 1.  To
apply, or for more information, call the Abused Person Program at 986-5885,
weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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