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CASA of Morris and Sussex Recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties is issuing a call to action for residents of the community to stand against child abuse and take action to support children who have been abused or neglected.

There are over 400 children in the foster care system in Morris and Sussex Counties. These children become part of the foster care system through no fault of their own, and are subjected to movement between foster homes and overall unpredictability.

In recognizing child abuse prevention month, Governor Chris Christie proclaimed Friday, April 7 as “CASA Child Advocate Day.” CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties recognized this designation by inviting local businesses, law firms, and schools to “Go Blue for CASA;” with a donation of $5 participants wore blue or denim to work and school.

Go Blue for CASA served to raise awareness of the traumas suffered by children who are victims of abuse and neglect, and raised funds to support advocacy for these vulnerable children.

Dr. Lisa Barsky Firkser, Executive Director of CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, continues to spread the CASA mission, declaring that “every child deserves the support of a CASA Volunteer, a caring, consistent adult presence with the training to help them heal and thrive as they are on their journey to a safe, loving, forever home, and family.”

Without intervention, the odds are stacked against children in foster care. A child with a CASA volunteer, however, will leave the foster care system two-and-a-half months earlier, on average, compared to a child without a CASA volunteer. Studies show children with a CASA volunteer advocate receive more services that are critical to their well-being than children without an advocate, and those children are more likely to achieve educational success.

CASA volunteers serve as a constant in what can be a life of chaos for a child in the foster care system. Together, we can ensure Morris and Sussex Counties are a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect by making meaningful connections with children, youth, and families in our communities.

CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties is calling on members of the community to help the organization fulfill its mission to serve all of the community’s most vulnerable children.