Changing the Statistics, One Child at a Time
- Remani Fogle
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. Every year, children across Jefferson, Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties experience abuse or neglect. At CASA of the River Region, we work to ensure these children have a voice in court and a caring advocate by their side.
According to the Child Maltreatment 2024 report, Kentucky had a rate of 14.1 children who experienced abuse or neglect per 1,000 children in 2024. Behind every statistic is a child whose life has been disrupted through no fault of their own. Each child deserves to be heard, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.
The Lasting Impact
Experiencing abuse or neglect can affect nearly every aspect of a child's life. It can influence emotional well-being, relationships, learning, and healthy development. While every child's experience is unique, children who have experienced trauma benefit from caring, consistent adults who help them feel safe, supported, and connected.
For many children, that trusted adult is a CASA volunteer.
How CASA Makes a Difference
At CASA of the River Region, we believe every child deserves someone who will stand beside them during one of the most difficult times in their life.
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are trained community members who advocate for the best interests of children involved in abuse and neglect cases. They take time to understand each child's unique circumstances by gathering information from caregivers, educators, medical providers, and others involved in the child's life. With this knowledge, volunteers make informed recommendations to the court that focus on each child's safety, well-being, and long-term success.
Perhaps most importantly, CASA volunteers provide consistency. They remain a steady, caring presence while children navigate an often complex and uncertain system.
Changing the Outcome Together
Research has found that children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to receive needed services and achieve safe, permanent homes. A dedicated advocate helps ensure that a child's needs remain the focus throughout the life of the case, supporting the court in making informed decisions in the child's best interests.
The need remains significant.
According to the Child Maltreatment 2024 report, 16,663 Kentucky children experienced abuse or neglect in 2024. While many children involved in the court system have attorneys or guardians assigned to their cases, only a portion receive the dedicated advocacy of a CASA volunteer. Thousands of children could still benefit from having a trained volunteer standing beside them and advocating solely for their best interests.
Together, we can change these statistics by ensuring more children have someone to speak up for their best interests when they need it most.
Interested in becoming a CASA Volunteer Advocate? Learn more about volunteering at www.casarr.org/volunteer.
Want to support this work? Your generosity helps recruit, train, and support volunteers who advocate for children experiencing abuse and neglect throughout our community. Every gift helps provide a voice for a child who needs one most. Donate today at www.casarr.org/donate-now.
Learn More
The statistics referenced in this article are from:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Child Maltreatment 2024.
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