April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is raising awareness and providing information about area organizations involved in the prevention of abuse and support of victims.

Keep an eye on our social media channels in April to learn more about how you can get involved, key community events and resources. The cooperative’s member service centers in Bastrop, Brenham, Giddings, Lockhart and Manor will gleam with blue lights at night to support the awareness effort.

Area groups working to prevent abuse include three Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) agencies that serve 11 counties in the Bluebonnet region, as well as the Children’s Advocacy Center that serves Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties and the SAFE Alliance.

These local area organizations welcome volunteers and donations. At CASA, volunteers are adults who have been pre-screened and received training to work with children in the foster care system. Volunteers undergo a pre-screening interview, background check, 30-hour (virtual or classroom) training and observation hours in a courtroom. Volunteers can then be appointed by judges to work with one case (or a set of siblings).

The Children’s Advocacy Center that serves Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties and SAFE Alliance would benefit from donations. View their wish lists at childrensadvocacycenter.org/get-involved and safeaustin.org/get-involved.

If you suspect child abuse, neglect or exploitation, report it by one of two ways: online at txabusehotline.org or by calling the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 (available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). Learn more about this topic at childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing.

Find out about local child abuse assistance agencies in our social media this month.