April is Child Abuse Prevention Month!
Child Protection Day Rally
No Foolin’! April 1st is the day to do something about child abuse and neglect. Join us, and thousands of others, in advocating for the protection and happiness of Texas children at 9am on April 1st at the Texas State Capitol.
The aim of the Child Protection Day Rally, sponsored by TexProtects, is to offer Texans concerned about this extremely worthy cause and pressing issue a voice at the Capitol and allow them to present their message to legislators. The rally is part of the 2015 Child Abuse Prevention Month, and all during April, Texas and local CASAs will be giving prospective volunteers and other interested parties opportunities to get involved. Register for the rally now at: http://texascasa.org/events/event/child-protection-day-rally/
Child Abuse Prevention Day
April 10th is the official Child Abuse Prevention Day. CASA is urging everyone to spread the word via their social media. Texas CASAs will be changing their profile picture to this image, and we are encouraging the community to do so as well, thereby raising awareness of our cause.
Help us turn Facebook “CASA Blue” on April 10th or throughout the month!
Concert for Hope
On April 23rd from 5:30-8:00 pm at Market Street in The Woodlands, the Concert for Hope is a community awareness event to promote child abuse awareness and prevention here in Montgomery County. It is part of Market Street’s Concert in the Park Series and will feature Mango Punch, rock/pop Latino band, and six-time winner of “Best Latin Band” in the Houston Press Music Awards. During the concert intermission, representatives from host organizations will lead a balloon release in memory of the 151 abuse & neglect-related child fatalities in Texas last year.
The concert is hosted by Angel Reach, Arrow, Buchner, B2B, CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County, Children’s Safe Harbor, Community Youth Outreach, Child Protective Services, Depelchin, Love Fosters Hope, Montgomery County Child Protective Services Board, Montgomery County Youth Services, Orphan Care Network, and Orphan Care Solutions.
Blue Sunday
April 26th is the annual Blue Sunday. On Blue Sunday, churches pray for the victims of child abuse and their rescuers and caregivers. Blue Sunday began with some twenty churches and has now become an international event of two million plus participants. You can participate in different ways, including registering your church, sharing a short video of your prayer and/or tweeting the event or sharing on Facebook.
25th Anniversary of Texas CASA
April is also a good time for a Big Congrats to Texas CASA, celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. Over the past 25 years, CASA has taken strides toward making Texas a national leader in child advocacy. From a humble beginning of a staff of two, Texas CASA has grown into a team of six dedicated departments supporting 71 programs, including Montgomery County.
“Throughout the year, we will celebrate our past while continuing to look to the future,” says Vicki Spriggs, Texas CASA CEO.
CASA’s vision is A CASA volunteer for every child who needs one. In 2014, 8,066 volunteers advocated for 24,472 children and youths in Texas. This figure comprises approximately half of the children in the welfare system. It is easy to see why we need more help to fill the gap created by an over-burdened, under-resourced Child Protection Services.
In the President’s 2014 Proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, he stated, “In the United States of America, every child should have every chance in life, every chance at happiness, and every chance at success.”
If you agree, please consider becoming a part of the effort to prevent child abuse and neglect, or assist us in minimizing its effects as much as possible. April is the ideal time to take your stand against maltreatment of children. Contact CASA and discover the mutual benefits of our advocacy program. We are more than happy to talk about our successes.
On a positive and happy note, a report by the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows a steady decrease in child abuse and neglect!