BASTROP Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and several local organizations have joined the campaign to raise awareness during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, agencies that serve 11 counties in the Bluebonnet region, the Children’s Advocacy Center that serves Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties, and the SAFE Alliance are among the local organizations that support families affected by abuse and neglect.
“No child or family should have to live in fear and cope with abuse,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “We are proud to be part of the effort that is raising awareness of child abuse and helping children and families who are in tragic situations.”
Bluebonnet’s member service centers in Bastrop, Brenham, Giddings, Lockhart, and Manor will be illuminated with blue light at night, blue ribbon decals will be affixed to Bluebonnet's crew vehicles, and key community events and resources will be shared on our social media channels throughout April.
The local area organizations welcome volunteers and donations. At CASA, volunteers are adults who have been prescreened and received training to work with children in the foster care system. Volunteers undergo a pre-screening interview, background check, 30 hours of classroom training, and observation hours in a courtroom. Volunteers are then appointed by judges to represent and advocate for a child’s best interests in the child protection system. Volunteers are assigned to work with one child or a set of siblings.
Donations benefit the Chil dren’s Advocacy Center, which serves Bastrop, Lee, and Fayette counties, and the SAFE Alliance. View their wish lists at childrensadvocacycenter. org/get-involved and safeaustin.org/get-involved.
If you suspect child abuse, neglect or exploitation, report it by one of two ways: online at txabusehotline.org or by calling the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800252-5400, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information, go to childwelfare. gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/.
