Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s five member service centers will gleam blue in April to raise awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month and the area organizations that support families affected by abuse and neglect. 

   Keep an eye on our social media channels in April to learn more about getting involved, key community events and resources. Bluebonnet-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 serving eastern Travis County. These organizations welcome volunteers and donations. 

   At CASA, volunteers are presecreened adults who are trained to work with children in the foster care system. In addition to a prescreening interview, volunteers undergo a background check, and complete 30 hours of virtual or classroom training and observation in a courtroom. Volunteers can then be appointed by judges to work with one case (or a group 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 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 at childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing. 

   Find out about local child abuse assistance agencies with this story online at bluebonnet.coop or in our social media this month.