April designed to raise awareness of child abuse, need for CASA volunteers

In a steady rain, several dozen individuals took part in an effort  to raise public awareness of the tragedy of child abuse.

Local officials joined with representatives of the CASA of the River Region to plant  pinwheels in the courthouse lawn  to raise awareness.

Karen Henderson, director of programs for CASA in a seven-county region, told those assembled that April has been designated as Child Abuse Awareness month.

She thanked all the public officials who came out to the observance and she encouraged volunteers to become part of the CASA program.

CASA volunteers are trained individuals who are assigned children who are put into the court system through no action of their own. Henderson said there are always more children in the system than volunteers to assist.

Volunteers are assigned to a child’s case and they follow it through the judicial process.

Family court circuit judges Elise Spainhour and Monica Robinson Sheets both spoke of the importance of the CASA volunteers and the frustrations with the lack of state help in the system.

Spainhour said the CASA volunteers are so valuable to the social workers and the judges. They can work with the children to learn what is really happening in the family situation.

She knows that social workers are overworked and have too many cases. That’s why any assistance that the CASA workers can provide is invaluable.

“We all have individual roles to help the children,” said Spainhour.

The more information a judge can have on a case, the better the decisions will be, she added.

Spainhour also praised the First Responders for their role as they are often the first ones to enter the home.

There are other players in the team approach to helping children. The circuit judge said that the mental health court established by county attorney Tammy Baker is important, as is the addition of playgrounds for children and families.

“All that goes to the quality of life for the children,” said Spainhour.

Robinson said that Kentucky remains the number  one  state in reports of child abuse and neglect. And the cases are getting more violent.

During one  particular week in December, she said that four cases involving children resulted in one death and three near-fatal experiences.

“The public doesn’t see a lot of that,” said Robinson.

The numbers are continuing to rise and the circuit judge said something must be done. Part of that is the state getting more aggressive in having the Cabinet follow laws which are already on the books. Lobbying is being done with legislators to require the following of the state laws when dealing with child abuse cases instead of using their own criteria.

She said the public can get involved in trying to protect children.

In addition to becoming a CASA volunteer, she said neighbors need to watch out. If it is nothing more than watching a neighbor’s child to let the parents have a break, that it important.

She said finding activities for children to do, such as the new playground planned in Shepherdsville, is good. 

Looking for children who suffer from unusual bruising or mental abuse is also a role the public can play.

Having high quality pre-school programs is another way  to get children off to a good start in life, she added.

“We have a way to go,” said Robinson.

Baker said that one of the reasons she ran for county attorney was to provide a safer environment for children. She said she hired excellent prosecutors who are dedicated to child abuse cases has also been a key.

Having worked with CASA in the past, Baker said it is important to have those boots on the ground to learn about what is really happening in the family setting.

Shepherdsville mayor Jose Cubero was involved for 13 years with the CASA program and 22 years with the Big Brothers program.

He  said it was important to create awareness to the CASA program.

From the city’s standpoint, he said there are programs being offered by Shepherdsville which has no costs to the participants. He said it was important to offer activities, such as sports clinics and arts and crafts, to families at no cost so they can get involved in things outside the home.

Hillview Jim Eadens is now offering CASA office space at no charge. He said in his 22 years as mayor, he’s seen how the agency can change  lives.

He credited the judges and the county attorney for trying hard to make a difference in the lives of the children.

Eadens thanked his city council for its unanimous support in buying the old Houchens building and turning it into a resource center for the county. Various agencies, such as CASA, Isaiah House and the Center for Women and Children, are housed in the facility.

County judge Jerry Summers remembered when the late Thomas Givhan and the late Tom Kelly fought to get the CASA program established in Bullitt County. He said the support has only grown over the years.

He praised his EMS for its care when dealing with situations involving children. Several on the staff are certified to handle pediatric emergencies.

The mental health court will also play a key role in dealing with a wide variety of issues, said Summers.

Henderson said that she gets very passionate when speaking about the efforts of CASA volunteers.

She praised all the speakers for their roles in trying to make lives better for the children.

“Our kids deserve it,” said Henderson.

The River Region program is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year and she said the work being done is simply magical.

However, there is a need that can’t be served by the number of volunteers. The numbers dropped during COVID but she said they are rebounding.

She wants to continue to work with the Cabinet and knows they need more social workers who are paid better. Behind the scenes, she said they know she will fight for change.

“Our cases are not easy,” said Henderson, who added everyone is not suited to be a CASA volunteer. “Our cases are hard.”

Anyone wishing to learn more about the CASA program, go to www.casariverregion.org or call 502-595-4911.