Go Blue for CASA This April and Show Your Support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month

SOMERS POINT — Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children is recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a Go Blue for CASA theme throughout the month. First, schools and businesses are encouraged to dress down or wear blue to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect in our communities any day throughout the month of April. Second, the annual Kids Fit Mile, in conjunction with the April Fools Half Marathon and 11K & 7K races in Atlantic City, is on April 22. Finally, the fifth annual Go Blue for CASA cocktail party and auction takes place April 27 from six to 9 p.m. at the Linwood Country Club. To register for any of these Go Blue for CASA events, please visit www.AtlanticCapeCASA.org email katherine@AtlanticCapeCASA.org or call (609) 601-7800.
“I believe, as I am sure most people do, that all children deserve a childhood that provides a safe, loving, stable home with adults that support their hopes and dreams,” said CASA Board President David Hieb. “Sadly, for many children in Atlantic and Cape May Counties, that home does not exist as hundreds of children suffer abuse and neglect each year and are placed in the foster care system. Going Blue for CASA in April is a way for us to raise awareness of the hardships these children face and highlight the roles that CASA advocates, and all of us, play in helping these children succeed.”
CASA advocates help provide a better place for children by ensuring that their families have the resources they need to keep or get their families back together. Research shows that when parents have the knowledge, skills, and services they need to care for their children, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families prevail.
“April is a time to celebrate the important role that CASA advocates and communities play in protecting children,” said CASA Executive Director Angie Waters. “It is a time when communities come together to raise awareness of child abuse prevention and show support for programs and activities that help our children succeed. Research tells us that childhood trauma has long-term negative impacts for the child and for society. The rising cost of health care and mental health services, substance abuse, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency and drop-out rates affect us all and have a negative impact on our community. Programs that support parents and give them the knowledge that helps them provide their children with positive, nurturing environments have been shown to reverse that negative impact. I encourage everyone to get involved with an organization in our community that helps children and families, become a CASA advocate, a mentor or financially support a group that makes sure children are safe and families have access to resources.”
A new CASA volunteer training begins in May. For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, contact CASA for Children at (609) 601-7800 or www.AtlanticCapeCASA.org.
About CASA of Atlantic and Cape May Counties:
Trained CASA volunteers speak in family court on behalf of abused and neglected children in the foster care system and are dedicated to ensuring these children find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. In Atlantic and Cape May Counties, over 1,000 children live in foster care annually. Last fiscal year, CASA served 550 abused and neglected children with over 200 CASA volunteers and helped place 146 children in permanent homes. For more information about CASA, visit www.AtlanticCapeCASA.org. CASA is a United Way Partner Agency.
About National CASA:
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children is a network of 946 community-based programs that recruit, train and support citizen volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities. The only program of its kind, CASA volunteers are empowered by the courts to provide children with one-on-one advocacy. CASA volunteers see their assigned children regularly and interview all the adults who influence their lives. Volunteer advocates offer judges the critical information they need to ensure each child’s rights and needs are being attended to while in foster care, staying with the child until she is placed in a loving permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer is the only constant adult presence in their lives. (www.casaforchildren.org)