WHAT IS CASA?
The core purpose of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is to provide a voice for abused and neglected children in Anderson, Blount, and Scott counties. As a non-profit, volunteer-based agency, our mission is to empower CASA volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in juvenile court. Our vision is to provide a court-appointed volunteer advocate for every child who needs one.
CASA of the Tennessee Heartland Takes Action to Protect Children of Blount County as a Darkness to Light “Partner in Prevention”
CASA of the Tennessee Heartland has achieved Partner in Prevention status, a designation awarded by the nonprofit Darkness to Light to organizations which take extra steps to protect the children they serve by training staff to understand the issue of child sexual abuse, identify unsafe situations and practices, and react responsibly in the best interest of the children they serve.
One in 10 children will be sexually abused before the age of 18. CASA of the Tennessee Heartland earned the Partner in Prevention designation by providing Stewards of Children® training to over 90% of its management, staff, and volunteers. This evidence-informed program is scientifically proven to help participants prevent and respond to child sexual abuse. Partner in Prevention was created as a national standard to help parents and caregivers recognize organizations that take child protection seriously by implementing policy and training staff to prevent child sexual abuse.
Darkness to Light is an international organization that leads the movement to end child sexual abuse by educating and empowering adults in education, youth serving organizations, and communities to protect children. Darkness to Light has affiliates in all 50 states and 17 international locations.
To learn more about child sexual abuse prevention training or to enroll your organization in Darkness to Light’s “Partner in Prevention” program, please visit www.D2L.org/education/partner-in-prevention
WHAT IS CASA?
The core purpose of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is to provide a voice for abused and neglected children in Anderson, Blount, and Scott Counties. As a non-profit, volunteer-based agency, our mission is to empower CASA volunteers to advocate own behalf of abused and neglected children in juvenile court. Our vision is to provide a court-appointed volunteer advocate for every child who needs one.
More than 300 children in Anderson, Blount and Scott Counties are waiting on a CASA.
92% of children who age out of foster care are incarcerated or homeless within 18 months.
The average child in foster care is in the system for 22 months. CASA cuts that time in half.
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CASA of the Tennessee Heartland does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, culture, religion or creed, socioeconomic status, language, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. No one shall be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any of CASA’s programs or activities. CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
At CASA of the Tennessee Heartland we pledge to engage a diverse community of allies who are vested in a child’s wellbeing so that we break the cycle of abuse and neglect. We are committed to confronting our own biases and operationalizing our values. We know that intention alone will not affect meaningful change in the lives we serve. Our mission and vision that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home, moves us to confront frameworks of oppression. Within our work, we aspire to building opportunities for learning, change and accountability.