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Home My WebLink AboutNational Child Abuse PreventionPROCLAMATION 1,x"3 Child Abuse Prevention Month April 2022 WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community, andfinding solutions requires input and action from everyons; WHEREAS, our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of the community in which we live; and WHEREAS, child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that have lasting consequences for victims of abuse; and WHEREAS, protectivc factors are conditions that reduce or eliminate risk and promote the social, emotional, and development well-being of children; and WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, communiqr-and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families; and WI{EREAS, communitie.s,must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong andthriving children and families; and WHERf,AS, we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness above child abuse and contribute to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment; and WHEREAS prevention remains the best defense for our children and families. NOw' THEREFORET tlre Kittitas County Board of Commissioners proclaim April 2A22 asChild Abuse Prevention Month in Kittitas County and call upon all citizens, community ug"n"i"r, faith groups, medical facilities, elected leaders and businesses in Kittitas County to participate in td'e efforts to sulpport families, thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the .o-runiti", in which we live, Dated this 15th day of March,2L2l. THE KITTITAS COUNTY I ll, Chairman a/) Julie k, Clerk of the Board {x3 NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH APRIL 2022 WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone; and WHEREAS, our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of the community in which we live; and WHEREAS, child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that have lasting consequences for victims of abuse; and WHEREAS, protective factors are conditions that reduce or eliminate risk and promote the social, emotional, and developmental well-being of children; and WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community- and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families; and WHEREAS, communities must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families; and WHEREAS, we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and contribute to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment; and WHEREAS, prevention remains the best defense for our children and families. THEREFORE, I do hereby proclaim April as NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH in and call upon all citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, elected leaders, and businesses in the Kittitas County to recognize this month by dedicating ourselves to support families, thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the communities in which we live. Signed this day of 2022 Mayor Attest City Clerk r\ ')COURT ADVOCATES . ^,!?"s.T,1fP,RgT-," March 2,2022 Board of County Commissioners 205 W 5th, Suite 108 Ellensburg, WA 98926 Dear Board of County Commissioners: National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child maltreatment. During the month of April and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to increase awareness about child and family well-being and work together to implement effective strategies that support families and prevent child abuse and neglect. I am writing to you to request that the County of Kittitas proclaim the month of April 2022 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. For your convenience, I am attaching a proclamation that may be used. Court Advocates for Children for Kittitas County is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Court Advocates for Children is a child advocacy program currently serving 109 abused, neglected, and/ or abandoned children ages birth to eighteen years in Kittitas County. We provide trained independent volunteers who promote and advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the justice system of Kittitas County. We envision a community that is aware of and committed to the efforts of Court Advocates to secure a safe, permanent, and loving home for abused and neglected children in Kittitas County. Learn more at https://casaprogram.org/. Respectf ully, Sa*CIra.'\nn/utt* ,g $ATf oEo Sandra Bankston Executive Director Court Advocates for Children for Kittitas County Enclosures: Proclamation Program lnformational Flyer s*4q ,oQ ,+ 6x *orttrt:t ltb a*+>' 421 N Pearl St, Suite 208, Ellensburg WA 98926 | 509 925 487t I www.casaprogram.org WE NEED YOUR HELP!Abuse and neglect can happen to a childat any age. Babies are at the highest risk asmore than one quarter of victims are youngerthan three years old. Whether a three-month-old baby or a 1S-year-old teenager,experiencing abuse or neglect has lastingimpact on a child.Sadly, more than 150 children in KittitasCounty were removed from their homes andplaced in foster care last year. Fortunately,having a caring, consistent adult - like acourt appointed special advocate (CASA)volunteer - can make allthe difference.Court Advocates for Children is determinedto make sure every child in Kittitas Countywho has experienced abuse or neglect has avolunteer who will advocate for their needsand best interests. Right now, we're serving1OO"/" of those children. With your support,we can do so much more.Court Appointed Speciol AdvocotesFOR CHILDRENKITTITAS COU NTYScan the QR code to make a donation.You can also text"GIVECASAKITTITAS" tO44-321to make a donationCONTACT INFORMATION421 North Pearl Street, #208Ellensburg, WA 98926509 925 4871info@casaprogram.orgn/"t.XCASAffiooo-c3-Vneglected or abused childrenhad a CASA volunteerspeaking up for their bestintersts in the last year.help change children's livesevery day.of abused and neglectedchildren have a CASA to helpthem fincJ a safe, loving andpermanent home.OUR REACHtThere's nopluce like hope."CASA volunteers play a unique role onbehalf of some of our most vulnerablechildren. Their commitment, vigilance andpersistence offer hope where there hasbeen little "- Marian Wright Edelman, Founder of theChildren's Defense Fundr\./l{.oro*C;#*oat*'P.r::*^'l;il:M*r,,1"1 1,;o..'' ltli ''' 't:..f,--Ww.,+iCHANGE ACHILD'S STORY.'casaProgram.org CHANGE A CHILD'S LIFESuperior Court judges appoint speciallytrained volunteers to speak up for abusedand neglected children.As a court appointed special advocate(CASA)volunteer, you are advocating forabused and neglected children in KittitasCounty. These children long for a safe andloving environment. As a CASA you areempowered by the courts to help make thisdream a reality.CASAs serve as the "eyes and ears" of thecourt. They are independent of the child'sparents and the state's child protectionand welfare system.Our work with children is one-on-one, butwe do not work alone. Each volunteer istrained and supported by highly qualifiedstaff members.We have an amazing team of dedicatedcommunity members serving as a staff,board members, and volunteers.-ACA9SBest- lnterest Adlu*acytrxecF{lctr*c^4cr"s -ys.\4s,qWr'e.e.e*ilNcoiuroiArl{.lka $,f ,.*s.rf .q-.'r*,Facst*tarpCourt Appointed Special Advocate@ (CASA) andguardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers advocate onbehalf of children who have experienced abuseor neglect. Their best-interest advocacy helpsensure that children are safe, have a permanenthome and have the opportunity to thrive.ouR MrsstoNOur mission is to provide trained independentvolunteers who promote and advocate for thebest interests of abused and neglected childrenwithin the justice system of Kittitas County.OUR STORYCourt Advocates for Children started in 1985under the leadership of Kittitas County SuperiorCourt, Judge JoAnne Alumbaugh. CourtAdvocates for Children is a 501(c)3 non-profitchild advocacy organization serving the abused,neglected and/or abandoned children ages birthto eighteen years in Kittitas County.GqM,iqddel\dtrrl{{s&!:rr&jOUR WORKVolunteers work with legal and child wel-fare professionals, educators and serviceproviders to ensure that judges have all theinformation they need to make the mostwell-informed decisions for each child.Our best-interest advocacy is driven by theguiding principle that children grow anddevelop best with their family of origin, ifthat can be safely achieved. Most of thechildren we work with are in foster care, butsome are with their family of origin. And,most children who leave foster care do soto return to their family.scan the qr code to contact uswith any questions you mighthave.email: info@casaprogram.orgTHEYAREmore likemore likelyTHEYAREto succeedin schoollyto find a safe,permanent homefrTHEY AREhalf as likelvto re-enter thefoster care systemtrVisit casaProgram.org for more information