Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Bluegrass is a volunteer based non-profit program who work to provide volunteers to advocate for abused, neglected, dependent children in the family court system.

CASA of the Bluegrass is a local program in connection to the national organization that serves Boyle, Mercer, Anderson and Franklin counties.

The month of April is nationally recognized at child abuse prevention month and CASA of the Bluegrass is working throughout the month to visit each county they serve to spread as much awareness about child abuse prevention as possible through their “Every Child Safe. Every Community Aware” campaign.

“Through this campaign, which we try to do every year in some way, we are just trying to shed light on a very real problem that is child abuse in our communities while giving communities an option to be apart of the solution to child abuse prevention by being apart of our program,” stated Program Development Coordinator for CASA of the Bluegrass, Casey Atwood.

Atwood stated they have worked to visit each of the communities they serve seek proclamation of Child Abuse Prevention month from city and county government officials.

In doing so, these communities are proclaiming that throughout the month of April in 2024 the community is to be aware of the child abuse that is present, to be vigalent in reporting child abuse, and making a proclamation that it is the communities role to ensure that every child is safe.

Recently, Mayor Troy Young and the Lawrenceubrg City Hall worked with CASA to proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the city.

“‘Child abuse leaves more than bruises; it leaves imprints on the soul.’ I read this quote many years ago and it still moves me,” stated Mayor Young, “Preventing child abuse and neglect is a community problem that depends on involvement among people throughout the community; and child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure each family has the support they need to raise their children in a healthy environment. I urge all citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to strengthen families, thereby preventing child abuse and creating healthier communities.”

Within this campaign, they are working to paint the town blue in communities who make this proclamation by putting a sign with a QR code to scan to read about child abuse prevention and surround the sign with dozens of blue pinwheels, the national symbol for child abuse prevention.

In doing so, they are also going around the community shedding light on the CASA program and urging people to join the cause and become volunteer advocates.

CASA trained advocates go into situations where abuse or neglect has already occurred and, if that child is in foster care or still at home receiving services, the CASA volunteers gather information about the child and their family and ensure that child is receiving everything they need to thrive and find a safe permanent home.

The number one way to get involved with CASA within the community is to become a CASA volunteer.

A CASA volunteer is a role that can be taken on by a community member with no formal education or experience needed, who is then trained to become an objective, open-minded advocate.

Volunteers are carefully screened and well trained; they receive a minimum of 30 hours of initial training and complete 12 hours of ongoing training each year.

An upcoming training to become a CASA volunteer is taking place in Anderson County on April 25. CASA of the Bluegrass Pre-Service Training is an 8-week, 30-hour training course that all CASA volunteers must undergo.

Topics covered range from the origins of child welfare, cultural competency, and topics that plague the families we deal with such as poverty, domestic violence, and substance abuse.

Please contact Casey at casey@casaofthebluegrass.org or 859-936-3510 if you are interested in attending training.

Other ways include board membership, donating to the cause and CASA program, and spreading the word to others what CASA is working to do within the community.

Now through the end of April, you can purchase your very own package of Child Abuse Prevention Month items to proudly display your support of the CASA Mission and to bring awareness to the constant need of child abuse prevention.

Also visit the News and Events section of the CASA of the Bluegrass website at www.casaofthebluegrass.org to inquire, and stay up-to-date on all the things CASA is doing within and around your community.