April Proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month

Fayette County Commissioners Court signed a proclamation designating the month of April 2021 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Fayette County. On hand for the signing was Alicia Elam, a supervisor with CASA of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties. CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, provides children in family court cases with trained volunteers to advocate on their behalf until they are placed in safe, nurturing and permanent homes. CASA advocates work with children who often come from abusive households. At least 194 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported and investigated in Fayette County in 2020. According to CASA, at least 47 of those children are known to have fell victim to neglect and abuse. Many more likely suffer in silence. Pictured (from left) are Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann, Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff, Elam, County Judge Joe Weber, Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom and Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel.

Photo by Andy Behlen