Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Awareness
In addition to childhood safety, the Frank L. Mitchell Jr., MD, Trauma Center contributes to child abuse and neglect prevention and awareness through the Heart of Missouri CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program volunteers and other community programs. CASA volunteers are advocates in the court systems for the most abused and neglected children in the district.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2008, an estimated 1,740 children ages 0 to 17 died from abuse and neglect (at a rate of 2.3 per 100,000 children):
80 percent of deaths occurred among children younger than the age 4
10 percent among 4 to 7 year olds
4 percent among 8 to 11 year olds
4 percent among 12 to 15 year olds
2 percent among 16 to 17 year olds
CASA volunteers have helped more than two million children find safe, permanent homes. CASA volunteers are everyday citizens that judges appoint to advocate for the safety and well-being of children who have been removed from their homes due to parental abuse and neglect. They stand up for these children and change their lives. Visit Heart of Missouri CASA for more information or to learn how you, too, can be an advocate for abused and neglected children in our area.
Additional Injury Prevention Programs
Back to Injury Prevention and Outreach Education
|
