Court Appointed Special Advocates look for volunteers as child abuse cases rise in Pueblo

Child abuse cases are rising in Pueblo County, and an organization is looking for volunteers to keep ahead of the tide.

Court Appointed Special Advocates in Pueblo (CASA) are looking for 35-45 new volunteers in 2022 to keep up with a rising number of child abuse and neglect cases in the Pueblo community.

The non-profit, which has served in Pueblo for the last 20 years, works in tandem with the Department of Human Services, the court system, attorneys, and families to repair issues, and if children are removed, restore them to their homes as quickly as possible if that is possible.

In 2021, CASA of Pueblo served a record 380 court-appointed youth appearing before the courts because of abuse and or neglect allegations, compared to 289 in 2020. The organization has also seen a 24% increase in physical abuse cases, and an overwhelming 61% increase in drug-exposed infants. said CASA in a news release.

"Often, these infants and youth become a victim a second time as they’re thrust into an already overburdened child welfare system — a complex legal network of lawyers, caseworkers, and judges," CASA wrote in the release.

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Numbers from the Pueblo County Department of Human Services also show a steady rise in cases reported to the state. In 2019, DHS received 2294 referrals, and accepted 757, with 129 substantiated assessments of child abuse, according to Pueblo County Public Information Officer Adam Uhernik. In 2021, the department received 2488 referrals, although only 595 were accepted, with 136 substantiated assessments.

"Once the Department receives a referral, there is a RED (Review Evaluate Determine) Team Meeting held," said Uhernik. The referral is discussed, and it is determined in this meeting if the concerns meet criteria set forth by the state for the Department to “accept” an open assessment. If it doesn’t meet the criteria, it is “screened out”.

CASA has grown tremendously in the past few years, serving 83 more children last year than they served the year prior. Only five cases were turned away last year. Five years ago, CASA was serving maybe 60-65%, said Executive Director Zane Grant.

While cases were rising steadily before the pandemic, COVID-19 caused a rapid rise in cases, said Grant.

"We've seen an increase in physical abuse cases, that tends to speak to familial stress when families are just at their breaking point and they lash out at children," said Grant. "We've also seen a pretty dramatic increase in drug-exposed infants, which speaks to an increase in the consumption of controlled substances."

The severity of abuse and neglect cases is also on the rise, he said.

Along with COVID-19 forcing families to be closer together as schools go online and parents work from home, economic hardship may have also played a part.

"When the economy starts to look a little strained and when inflation starts to creep, I think something like 7% in the last year, going to the grocery store, everything is just more expensive, and the more I have to worry about how to keep my household functioning the more stressed out I am, which is where people turn to drugs and alcohol to cope," he said.

Grant noted that marijuana use was not the problem, but rather the abuse of harder drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and subscription medication abuse and that even alcohol was a "much harder substance to deal with" than marijuana.

To help keep abreast of rising cases, the organization is looking for volunteers.

Program Director Tammy Prutch said she would meet with people all the way up to the start of the next four-week training program, which is set to begin in February.

“There’s something wonderful and cathartic that happens when an individual dedicates their time to help the unheard,” said Prutch. “I would strongly encourage anyone who has a heart for hurting children to consider becoming a CASA volunteer, and help us give hope during this continuing challenging time.”

CASA of Pueblo will also be celebrating its 20th Anniversary on April 23, at CSU-Pueblo with a black-tie gala.

"Because CASA of Pueblo's anniversary celebration is held just every five years, the milestone event is a much-anticipated evening and an opportunity for CASA of Pueblo to recognize its many volunteers and partnering organizations and sponsors who support their important and increasing work," said Jessi Ones, CASA Development Director.

To become an event sponsor or to purchase a ticket, visit the CASA of Pueblo website at casaofpueblo.org or call 583-6326.

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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo CASA looks for volunteers as child abuse cases rise