81% of perpetrators have no prior history of child abuse and 75% have no prior history of substance abuse.

Click to read more ...

Poverty is an identifiable risk for abuse or neglect of children. According to the 20th annual "Kids Count" Data Book. Between 2007 and 2008 Montana matched the national trend of a 6% increase of children living in poverty. It's a harsh reality that 18% of our children live in a high risk family. We'll monitor the numbers to see where Montana families stand when the newest "Kids Count" report is released in July 2010.

Lisa

For CASA every month is child abuse prevention month

http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/04/01/casas-lead-the-charge-during-child-abuse-prevention-month 

Up to 75% of all child abuse and neglect cases involve some type of substance abuse. There are an estimated 12 million alcoholics in the United States and 6.6 million children living with at least one alcoholic parent.

Click to read more ...

CASA-CAN and organizations locally, nationwide and worldwide work all year long to put ourselves out of business. Unfortunately it won't happen in 2010, but we continue to strive toward that end.

Right here in Cascade County 16 new familes with 34 children have entered the youth in need of care system since January 1, 2010. That compares to 13 families and 26 children in the same time period just one year ago. The number of children entering the system is not lessening and our work is not done. The good news is that each and every one of those local children have been assigned a CASA-CAN guardian ad litem to advocate for their best interests.

Stay tuned for more links and information about Child Abuse Prevention Month.

by Lisa Goff