Bluebonnet’s five member service centers will be lighted blue in April to raise awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Sarah Beal photo
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative's five member service centers in Bastrop, Brenham, Giddings, Lockhart and Manor will shine blue at night throughout April to raise awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the region’s organizations that support families affected by abuse and neglect.
In the Bluebonnet area, six Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs cover all 14 counties where the cooperative provides electricity.
Other organizations in the Bluebonnet region that support cooperative members and their families include the Children’s Advocacy Center, which serves Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties and offers care, support and services to children who have been abused or neglected; and SAFE Alliance, a nonprofit which operates in eastern Travis County and supports children, adults and families who have been affected by abuse or neglect. These local organizations welcome adult volunteers and donations.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400, or submit a report online at txabusehotline.org. In case of immediate danger to a child, call 911 to contact local law enforcement.
About the region’s abuse assistance agencies
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties supports children by providing specially trained community volunteers appointed by juvenile and family court judges to represent the interests of children who enter state custody after being removed from their families by Child Protective Services.
507 Water St., Bastrop
Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
512-303-2272
On the web: casabfl.org
Email kristi.bauer@casabfl.org
Children’s Advocacy Center
Children’s Advocacy Center, serving Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties, provides a safe, child-friendly environment where law enforcement, child protective services, court prosecution, and medical and mental health professionals can share information and develop strategies to meet the needs of each case and child.
59 TX 150 Loop, Bastrop
Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
512-321-6161
On the web: childrensadvocacycenter.org
Email info@CACBastrop.org
CASA for Kids of South Central Texas
CASA for Kids of South Central Texas, serving Austin, Colorado, Waller and Washington counties, supports children by providing specially trained community volunteers appointed by juvenile and family court judges to represent the interests of children who enter state custody after being removed from their families by Child Protective Services.
1500 S. Day St., Brenham
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
979-277-0088
On the web: wespeak4kids.org
Email info@wespeak4kids.org
CASA of Central Texas, Inc.
CASA of Central Texas, Inc., serving Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties, supports children by providing specially trained community volunteers appointed by juvenile and family court judges to represent the interests of children who enter state custody after being removed from their families by Child Protective Services.
2725 Hunter Road, San Marcos
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: 830-626-2272
On the web: casacentex.org
Email info@casacentex.org
The SAFE Alliance
The SAFE Alliance provides housing, support services and prevention programs to stop the cycle of violence in Central Texas
Children’s Shelter
P.O. Box 19454
Austin, TX 78760
Administrative office open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: 512-369-5900
Reach the 24/7 SAFEline at 512-267-SAFE (7233), text “SAFE” to 737-888-7233 or chat online at safeaustin.org
On the web: safeaustin.org