As summer vacation winds down, the month of August brings the coming of a new school year for many children. Unfortunately, the start of a new academic year can also lead to more child abuse or neglect reports as teachers, staff and other parents notice signs of harm that children suffered over the summer.
Out of more than 160,000 completed reports of child abuse or neglect last year, schools were the second most common source. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) completed 33,146 investigations as a result of reports from school officials, falling just behind reports from medical personnel.
“It’s not unusual for there to be a spike in suspected abuse or neglect reports when the school year resumes,” said Michelle Wells, Executive Director of CASA in the Heart of Texas. “In the summer, children interact with fewer adults outside of their families who would see and report signs of maltreatment.”
This increase in reports translates to more children entering the foster care system, and a greater need for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers from CASA in the Heart of Texas to represent these children.
CASA volunteers are everyday community members that are specially trained and appointed by judges to advocate for children in court. CASA volunteers get to know a child or sibling group and any relevant contacts in the children’s lives. They gather information about their physical, emotional and educational needs and strive to help the children move out of the temporary foster care system.“Imagine how frightening it is for these children to be taken out of their homes and placed sometimes far away from their families,” said Wells. “CASA in the Heart of Texas wants to ensure that they do not get stuck moving from placement to placement in the system, and are instead placed with safe, loving families.”
During Fiscal Year 2013, DFPS had legal responsibility for 136 children in Brown County. CASA in the Heart of Texas served 97% of those children, although only 82% of the children served had a volunteer advocate assigned to them. That means that there are still many children without a CASA volunteer to advocate for their needs.
It is the goal of CASA in the Heart of Texas to provide a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one. In order to reach that goal, the program needs the support of the community. “CASA in the Heart of Texas can’t help these children without compassionate, dedicated volunteers,” said Wells. While CASA is volunteer-based, program staff work closely with the volunteer advocates, providing the necessary support and guidance so that the highest quality of advocacy is provided to the children served.
“As the new school year approaches, consider stepping up to be a voice for children in need by becoming a CASA volunteer.” However, there are many ways to support the mission of CASA in the Heart of Texas, including providing financial support, an in-kind donation, or serving on the Board of Directors. For more information about how to get involved, visit www.casabrownwood.org and www.BecomeACASA.org or call the CASA office at (325)643-2557.
