City Will Not Renew Longtime CASA Contract
File photo. CASA workers at the statehouse.
The city of Indianapolis won’t renew its contract with the nonprofit providing Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs, for youth in the child welfare system. The change comes after an external report examined expenses for Child Advocates.
The Office of Public Health and Safety, OPHS, notified Child Advocates of the decision last week. The report finds insufficiencies in spending that the nonprofit disputes.
Child Advocates CEO Cindy Booth said the move is concerning.
“That uncertainty and the quick way in which this has been done has really made us nervous about the safety and wellbeing of the children we currently have responsibility for,” Booth said.
April is National Volunteer Month and the staff of CASA of Gila County expresses its appreciation for the men and women who stand up for abused and neglected children in Arizona.
These dedicated Count Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are making a difference in childrenâs lives, giving them a voice in court and advocating for their best interests.
This month is dedicated to honoring all the volunteers in our communities as well as encouraging volunteerism throughout the year.
âOne of the most gratifying things Iâve ever done is helping abused and neglected children navigate the overwhelming foster care system so they can find safe and permanent homes,â says local CASA volunteer, Bob McLarty.
Brown County Judge, Dr. Paul Lilly, has declared the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. He read the proclamation during Commissioner’s Court on Monday morning, April 5, then presented the framed proclamation to members of the Brown County Child Welfare Board and members of CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates. In addition, Commissioners approved a request by the Child Welfare Board to place pinwheels in front of the Courthouse for Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
DailyTrib.com Support Community Press You can show your support of a vibrant and healthy free press by becoming a voluntary subscriber. Subscribe Now Since 1983, when President Ronald Reagan designated April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, individuals and organizations have used the 30 days to highlight how to identify and prevent child abuse. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
Even though April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, child advocates hope people look out for children in danger throughout the year.
“Child abuse is all around us in various forms. We want people to be mindful of it and learn to identify the signs associated with it,” said Conrad Arriola, executive director of CASA for the Highland Lakes Area. “I believe there are a lot of ways to help. It’s about having an awareness and be willing to look out for kids.”
Kicking off Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, a Colorado Springs-based nonprofit is taking the fight against child abuse virtual this year with a monthlong online fundraising campaign to help them meet increased need during the pandemic.
The “Month of Hope” campaign takes the place of Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Pikes Peak Region’s annual Light of Hope fundraiser, typically held in April, spokeswoman Keri Kahn said. The annual event won’t happen this year because of pandemic concerns, but nonprofit leaders hope to raise $144,000 through their online fundraiser to serve the additional 120 children in El Paso and Teller counties they expect will come to their program in 2021, Kahn said. It costs the program $1,200 a year to serve one child.