CASA OBSERVING APRIL AS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

  

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, CASA for Kids of South Central Texas is issuing a call to action for residents of Austin, Colorado, Waller & Washington Counties to stand against child abuse and take-action to support children who have been abused or neglected.

At any given time, there are 185 children in foster care in these 4 counties. These children come into the child welfare system through no fault of their own. More and more children are coming into care due to substance abuse.

“The needs of these children coming into care are more complicated than ever before, and life in foster care can be chaotic,” said Deanna Warmke, Executive Director. “Every child deserves the support of a caring, consistent adult with the training to help them heal and thrive.”

Throughout the month of April, CASA for Kids of South Central Texas is calling on members of the community to help the program serve more  vulnerable children. Community members are invited to join CASA on Saturday, April 29th for our Kids Fun Day.  It will be held in Hempstead at The Gazebo from 10 am – 2 pm.

Without intervention, the odds are stacked against children in foster care. A child with a Court Appointed Special Advocate, however, will leave the foster care system two-and-a-half months earlier, on average, compared to a child without a CASA. Studies show children with a CASA volunteer receive more services that are critical to their well-being than children without an advocate, and those children are more likely to achieve educational success.

“CASA volunteers are a constant for the child in a time of chaos,” said Warmke. “A child may have multiple social workers, attorneys, therapists and foster placements throughout the life of the case but only one CASA volunteer, which can make all the difference for the child’s future.”

Celebrating 10 years of service this year, CASA for Kids of South Central Texas is a member of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (National CASA), a nationwide network of programs in nearly 1,000 communities. At the heart of the movement are nearly 77,000 highly trained volunteers who advocate for the best interests of more than 250,000 of America’s children who have been abused or neglected. In Austin, Colorado, Waller & Washington Counties, there are 46 volunteer advocates fighting for the best interests of over 100 children but about 20 more children need the care and support of a CASA volunteer.

For more information about CASA for Kids of South Central Texas, to become a supporter or to volunteer, visit wespeak4kids.org or call 979.277.0088.