Light of Hope 2007

COMMUNITY RALLIES IN FIGHT AGAINST CHILD ABUSE
Light of Hope Breakfast raises $263,883 to help victims of abuse and neglect

April 20, 2007—El Paso County leads Colorado in the number of reports of child abuse and neglect to the Department of Human Services’ Child Welfare Hotline. With over 9,000 calls to the hotline in 2006, child abuse is an ugly problem in our community that requires our attention and our action.

To generate awareness and support in the fight against child abuse during National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Pikes Peak Region hosted the annual Light of Hope Breakfast on Thursday, April 19th which raised $263,883 to help CASA serve local children.

During the event, guests heard from local officials, supporters and a former CASA child about the problem of child abuse in our area and the difference CASA makes for abused and neglected children. Legislative officials attending the event included: Mayor Lionel Rivera, former Manitou Springs Mayor and current Colorado Commissioner of Insurance, Marcy Morrison; and County Commissioners Sallie Clark and Dennis Hisey. The City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County have both officially proclaimed today, April 19th, as “CASA Day.”

Since 1989, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region has been recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers who advocate for children in the 4th Judicial District (El Paso and Teller Counties). CASA’s goal is to ensure safety and permanency for children whose lives are in turmoil. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to be a voice for these children in court and in the community. The desired result is that children are placed into safe, loving homes where they can thrive.

Before CASA’s inception in our community, children who were removed from their abusive parents languished in temporary foster care for an average of three to six years. CASA volunteers help move children out of foster care into permanent homes in an average of 14-20 months.

Hope begins for these children when a judge appoints a well-trained CASA volunteer to advocate for them. The child’s attorney, Department of Human Services, and the court all work in collaboration on these cases. However, the CASA volunteer carries only one or two cases at a time and is often the only consistent, caring adult in the child’s life for the entire length of the case.

CASA served nearly 750 children last year, but 700 children are still waiting for help. The generosity shown by the community at Thursday’s Light of Hope Breakfast will help CASA move closer to the goal of serving every child in need. All of the money raised will help support the general operations of CASA.

To make a donation, or to learn about CASA programs and volunteering, please visit http://www.casappr.org or call 719-447-9898, x1008.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• El Paso County had over 9,000 reports of abuse and neglect to the Department of Human Services Child Welfare Hotline last year, the highest number in the state.
• El Paso County has the largest population of young children and families in the state.
• CASA serves more than 750 children a year - 700 are still waiting for advocacy.
• When the CASA program began, children were languishing in foster care three to six years before reaching permanent homes. Children with a CASA volunteer now find permanent homes in an average of 14 months for children up to age 6 and 20 months for children over age 6.
• The cost of having a child in foster care for one year is $18,600. Moving a child into a safe home four months early saves taxpayers $6,220 (per child).
• The cost of serving a child for an entire year through CASA is only $2,050.
• Both children and parents receive more community services with CASA serving on their case.
• Cases involving CASA are more likely to be permanently closed.
• Children who have a CASA will not be re-abused and do not return to the system.
• CASA benefits the entire community. Early intervention stops the cycle of generational abuse.
• CASA advocacy gives abused and neglected children the opportunity to become contributors – assets to the community rather than deficits.