NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER VOICES FOR CHILDREN
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Boulder Voices for Children is raising awareness of the need for dedicated community members to step up and become CASA volunteers, and help end child abuse and neglect, by supporting children and their families in the foster care system.
CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, are everyday people from all walks of life who are recruited and specially trained to advocate for children in foster care and provide a consistent, reliable adult presence for them during a difficult time in their life.
CASA volunteers are assigned to one child or sibling group to advocate for their best interest in court, school, and other settings. They get to know the child, and everyone involved in their life, such as their parents and other family members, foster parents, therapists, caseworkers, and teachers, so they can develop a realistic picture of the child’s unique situation. They engage those important to the child and family in order to build a network of support around them, so that the family has access to support and resources after the case ends. They make ecommendations to the judge overseeing the child’s case, with the goal of ensuring that the child is safe, and the family has the resources, support, and healthy relationships needed to heal.
“There is always a need for more CASA volunteers,” said Margaret Bachrach, CEO of Boulder Voices for Children. “By becoming a volunteer, you can take your efforts beyond just awareness, and do your part to help support children who have experienced abuse and neglect here in your community.”
Over 250 Dependency and Neglect cases were filed in Boulder County’s 20th Judicial Court in 2022. Boulder Voices for Children served 225 children in the foster care system in Boulder County in fiscal year 2022 and swore in 52 new CASAs. This April, the organization is asking community members to consider stepping up to make a difference by becoming a CASA volunteer.
“We always hope for the day when CASA, foster care and a national month dedicated to child abuse prevention are no longer needed because all children are growing up safe, secure, and supported with their families,” said Bachrach. “Until then, we will continue to seek more members of the community to join our growing movement so that we can continue to provide a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one.”
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. If you see abuse, report it to the Colorado Child Abuse Hotline at 844-264-5437. If a child’s life is in danger, call 911. For more information on becoming a CASA in Boulder County, visit bouldervfc.org or call 303-440-7059.
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