April is National Child Abuse
Prevention Month
CASA OF GALVESTON COUNTY
By : Kathryn Holmes
CASA of Galveston County Kathryn @ casagalveston . org
Throughout April CASA of Galveston County is raising awareness about child abuse and neglect in the community and the need for more CASA volunteers to help make a difference in a child ’ s life .
In honor of each child currently in the foster care system in Galveston County due to abuse or neglect , CASA of Galveston County has placed pinwheels at the Galveston County Courthouse ( 722 21st Street , Galveston , TX ) through our Pinwheels for a Purpose campaign . Many of the children represented on this lawn are living in a stranger ’ s home , going to a different school , and sleeping in a different bed due to no fault of their own .
Court Appointed Special Advocates , or CASA Volunteers , are individuals from all walks of life who speak up for a child or sibling group ’ s best interests while they are in the care of the state .
According to the Department of Family & Protective Services ( DFPS ), there were 3,789 victims of child abuse or neglect and a total of 399 children in the child protection system in Galveston County last year .
“ CASA ’ s role is more important than ever with all of the challenges currently facing the child protection system ,” said Connie Ricketts , executive director of CASA of Galveston County . “ It is our goal to be able to provide every child with a voice in court to ensure that they do not get lost in the system .” system continued , leading Gov . Greg Abbott naming CPS reform his No . 1 emergency item for the 85th Legislative Session .
CASA volunteers work on a case-to-case basis , getting to know the child and everyone involved in that child ’ s life , including family members , foster parents and teachers , so that they can represent the child ’ s best interests in court and other settings until the child reaches a safe , permanent home .
Last year , 74 CASA volunteers served 227 children in the welfare system in Galveston County , but 57 children still need a volunteer to advocate for their best interests . Consider making a difference for these children by becoming a CASA volunteer .
“ Our top priority is always the best interest of the child ,” said Ricketts . “ We will continue to provide the highest quality of advocacy for our most vulnerable children in care until the day that we are no longer needed because every child has the happy , safe home they deserve .”
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month . If you see abuse , report it to 1 ( 800 ) 252-5400 or go to www . txabusehotline . org . If a child ’ s life is in danger , call 911 . For more information on CASA , visit www . casagalveston . org .
In December 2015 , U . S . District Judge Janis Jack ruled that the Texas child welfare system fails to protect kids in the long-term care of the state – ultimately violating their constitutional right to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm . The challenges and struggles plaguing the
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