Lincoln County CASA
North Platte, NE March 21,2024 – Lincoln County CASA and Lincoln County Child Abuse Prevention Council are working together to host the Mayoral Proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month which is in April. The event will be April 5, 2024, starting at 7 am with the CASA free-will donation breakfast at the Prairie Arts Center in North Platte. At 9 am, Mayor Brandon Kelliher will read the Proclamation to kick off the start of Child Abuse Prevention month. We will also have a silent auction with several items available to bid on.
The breakfast will include waffles, link sausages, scrambled eggs, fruit cup, coffee, and juice. Child Abuse Prevention may be the primary work of several local organizations, but Nebraska is a mandatory reporting state, so it is the job of every citizen to watch for and report child abuse and neglect. The local prevention council will be promoting education and awareness with Bring Up Nebraska materials. The blue pinwheel campaign is a trademark sign of Child Abuse prevention.
Everywhere blue pinwheels are placed, prevention is the message. Other activities include Dress Blue Fridays with council members inviting local businesses to dress blue and pose for a picture with council members.
Child Abuse and neglect is a very real concern for Lincoln County. In 2023, 89 children were referred to CASA as those involved in court cases and needing a child advocate. Many of the children that go into state care are placed outside of Lincoln County because there are not enough foster homes in the area.
Being taken from their home is a very traumatizing event for many children. They are often placed into surroundings and processes that are very different for them—even if it is a loving environment, it is entirely unfamiliar.
Please check the Lincoln County Child Abuse Prevention Council Facebook page and website for more information on activities during April as well as education on the Promotive and Protective Factors that positively impact family stability.
Proclamation sponsors include Lincoln County CASA, Lincoln County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Sutherland Subway, Gary’s Super Foods, Families First, Hershey State Bank, Premier Rental Purchase, FNBO, Mr. & Mrs. Randy Richards, Merrick’s, and Moxie Salon.