Blog & Events

Mayor John Hamilton has officially declared April 1st as Child Abuse Awareness Day. April 1st is also the first day of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Check out the proclamation below and stay tuned to our social media for more information all month long.

What are ACEs? ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences; these include potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. Some examples of potential ACEs include: Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect Witnessing violence in the home or community Having a family member attempt or die from suicide Substance use within the home Parental mental health problems Instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison This is not an exhaustive list as there are many more experiences that can cause trauma. How common are ACEs? About 61% of adults surveyed across 25 states reported they had experien ced ...

Anyone who has had a dog will tell you the emotional impact they have on people. Our dogs are always there for us, whether we are celebrating good news or going through a difficult time. A dog can lend the emotional boost we need to get through these tough times. The experience can be frightening and emotionally taxing for children going through the court system. Having to recount the terrible things that have happened to them, let alone face the people who did them, can make a child feel unable to give vital testimony. That’s where facility dogs come in. ...

It takes a village. From early childhood to adolescence, children need ever-evolving support and care from their adult role models. If you are looking to have a positive impact on a child in your life, this article builds upon the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets to offer a series of actionable steps you can take to best support the youth you care about as they age and enter new stages of development. The 40 Developmental Assets The 40 Developmental Assets are a list of factors that contribute to a young person’s success and healthy development. These assets promote positive behaviors ...

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that will help make a difference in the lives of children, Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) could be the organization for you. Going through the court system adds a lot of stress to a child already struggling with their home life. According to The Herald-Times, in 2021, 21% of Monroe County CASA cases involved physical abuse. CASA helps to provide greater representation to children that have been abused or neglected. A CASA observes a child in their placement and gets to know them so they can best advocate for them ...

When you look up the word advocacy, you can find an abundance of definitions, including the “public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy”. However, Webster’s Dictionary says that advocacy is “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.” The act of supporting a child is what  CASA does on a daily basis. By supporting and advocating for a child you can change their story and potentially the rest of their life. Giving a child hope and support will boost their confidence and show them that they are loved and important.  What is a CASA?  ...

What It Means to be a CASA If you are looking for a meaningful and impactful way of giving back to your community, there is no better organization to volunteer with than Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).  As a CASA volunteer, you’ll become an important representative for children who otherwise might have a voice in court. Your volunteering can make a difference in a child’s life by bringing them hope and consistency in a world that often does not. CASA volunteers are members of the community who give their time and energy to advocate for abused and neglected ...

Volunteering with kids aging out of foster care makes a difference. According to a report done by the Child Welfare Information Gateway, as of September 30, 2019, there were 423,997 children in foster care in the United States. Children are placed in foster care as a temporary measure, when this is seen as the safest and best solution for the child at the time. However, once children age out of foster care at 18, they often make an abrupt transition. They go from being a dependent to being a full-fledged adult with housing, employment, health insurance, clothing, food, and more ...

In a recent training for new CASA volunteers, ‘Marie’ shared that her personal experience with her own CASA when she was a child, is what motivated her to become a CASA now.   Growing Up with a CASA - Marie's Story For Marie, growing up included living with adverse experiences, court proceedings, and a lot of uncertainty. To help her through this difficult time, Marie was assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to advocate for her best interest and ensure she ended up with the best possible outcome.  As Marie’s case moved through the court system, her CASA was ...

There are plenty of budget friendly ways to entertain kids in Monroe County. Whether you are a resident of Bloomington, Ellettsville, or Stinesville, or you are visiting from out of town, Monroe County CASA wants to share a few options that won’t break the bank. Outdoor Activities Looking to get the kids out of the house and away from the electronics? Entertain kids in Monroe County by exploring the wide array of free, family-friendly outdoor parks that the area has to offer. The perfect place to start your outdoor adventure is at Switchyard Park in Bloomington. Located right on the ...