DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A program that assigns a volunteer to speak on behalf of a child in Iowa’s foster care system is looking for more participants. Organizers behind the Court Appointed Special Advocate program say they currently have 460 volunteers advocating for more than 900 children in the system. They want to double the number of volunteers over the next two years.

Jim Hennessey, an administrator who helps oversee the program, says judges and service providers believe an increase in volunteers would benefit the children. The volunteer’s main job would be to represent the interest of a child during any judicial proceeding. A volunteer will complete a 30-hour training course and spend an average of 10 hours per month getting to know the child and his or her circumstances.