By CASA of the Tennessee Heartland
Kids Count Data 2015 has just been released. This data revealed that there were 160 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in Anderson County alone. As a result, 277 Anderson County children were in DCS custody last year.
Because of the growing problem of abuse and neglect in our community, CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is seeking volunteer advocates for its Anderson County program. CASA of the Tennessee Heartland recruits, trains, and empowers volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in juvenile court.
Our Court Appointed Special Advocates gather information, recommend services, and advocate for each child to be placed in a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible. A CASA volunteer may be the only consistent, adult presence in a child’s life. Because a CASA focuses on one family at a time, a child with a CASA volunteer is more likely to find a safe, permanent home, more likely to be adopted, and less likely to be bounced from home to home.
Last year, we served 142 children in Anderson County. Although that is a huge number, we still have 168 children waiting for someone to step up and speak up for them. Some of these children have been waiting for a CASA volunteer for more than a year! Think about the difference you could make if you became a CASA volunteer for one of the 168 children still on our waiting list. Now think about the difference you and two or three friends could make!
By donating 10-15 hours a month, you could give an abused and neglected child a voice. You could make a lasting impact in the life of a child and help them find their forever family. Training is provided and there is no prior experience is necessary. So stand up and STEP UP for CASA. Become a child’s volunteer advocate today!
If you would like more information about becoming a CASA Volunteer in Anderson County, please contact nancy@casatnh.org or call (865) 463-6850. Visit casatnh.org for more information.
Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Leave a Reply