April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and CASA of Chautauqua County is calling on residents across the county to take action in support of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

At any given time, approximately 100 children in Chautauqua County are living in foster care through no fault of their own. Across the nation — and locally — factors such as substance use and shifting socioeconomic conditions are contributing to an increased strain on the child welfare system. These challenges can have lasting impacts on children’s emotional well-being, education, brain development, and long-term stability.

Many foster youth are also aging out of the system without permanent homes or the support systems they need to succeed in adulthood. As these challenges grow, the need for dedicated advocates for children in foster care continues to rise.

CASA of Chautauqua County works to meet that need by recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers who advocate for children involved in Family Court due to abuse or neglect. These volunteers build relationships with the children they serve and work alongside professionals in the child welfare system to ensure each child’s best interests are represented in court and in the community. Locally, CASA volunteers are part of a national network of more than 93,000 advocates serving children across the country.

Throughout April, CASA of Chautauqua County invites community members to participate in the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, a national awareness initiative created by Prevent Child Abuse America that encourages communities to turn awareness into action for children and families.

Community members are invited to attend the Pinwheels for Prevention planting ceremony on Friday, April 17 at noon on the front lawn of the Town of Chautauqua Municipal Building, located at 2 Academy Street in Mayville. The event will bring together county officials, CASA staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and highlight ways residents can support vulnerable children and families.

Throughout April, pinwheels will also appear across Chautauqua County at local financial institutions, convenience stores, markets, restaurants, gas stations, libraries, and other participating businesses. Community members can show their support by purchasing a pinwheel for $2 or a pinwheel card for $1. A full list of participating locations is available at ChautauquaCASA.com.

“Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and heard,” said Kathy Park, Executive Director of CASA of Chautauqua County. “CASA volunteers step into a child’s life during an incredibly difficult time and become a consistent voice advocating for their best interests. That kind of support can change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

Research shows that children with a CASA volunteer spend 20 percent less time in foster care on average compared to children without a CASA advocate. They are also more likely to receive critical services and four times more likely to find safe, permanent homes.

Funds raised through the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign directly support CASA’s mission to train and support volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in Chautauqua County. If you would like to support the mission of CASA, a tax-deductible donation can be made by sending a check to CASA of Chautauqua Co., Inc. at 2 Academy Street, Suite 5, Mayville, NY 14757.

The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Chautauqua County is to provide an independent voice in court, advocating for the best interest of abused and neglected children in the pursuit of finding safe and permanent homes. CASA of Chautauqua County, Inc. relies on highly trained volunteers who are appointed by a Chautauqua County Family Court Judge to advocate for children in court. These volunteers work with relevant agencies and parties in order to advocate for the best interest of the child. With the information provided by the CASA volunteer, Family Court Judges are better able to make informed decisions as to what is best for the child. CASA of Chautauqua County is a United Way Community Partner.