For the next month, a large blue pot filled with blue pinwheels will sit next to the double doors of the Trigg County Justice Center — courtesy of Child Watch and the Court Appointed Special Advocates of West Kentucky.
It should serve as a double reminder. April is National “Child Abuse Prevention” Month, and CASA of West Kentucky needs gifted volunteers — volunteers who can give undivided attention to neglected children trapped in the judicial system, and in failing families.
Stephanie Moss, program director for CASA of West Kentucky, joined with 56th District Judge James Adams and other noted dignitaries to plant these pinwheels Tuesday afternoon.
The 56th District just recently began these unique services within the last 18 months — first in Livingston and Lyon counties before expanding into Trigg and Caldwell.
Now, Moss said Trigg County needs eight more volunteers, to join with two individuals who have already began taking cases in the area.
Today, CASA operates from Fulton to Pikeville and from Covington to Franklin, with 24 “regions” covering the Commonwealth.
Rebecca Woodall, volunteer supervisor for the 56th District and CASA, has an office in Lyon County and has been with the organization since last July.
In that time, she’s already had to manage 10 cases involving multiple children — with more unfortunately on the way.
For years, Kentucky has remained No. 1 in the country in child abuse cases — a not-so-positive moniker for a state more positively known for its bourbon and horse racing.
Woodall noted there are a myriad of factors, including drug use, that lead to these cases — poverty, depression, stress, unemployment, mental illness among them.
With former 56th District Judge Jamus Redd moving up to Circuit Court, Moss and Woodall now take referrals from the likes of Adams, Judge Jill Clark and Judge Natalie White.
There are more than 60 volunteers holding cases as we speak, but Moss added there’s no such thing as too many helpers.
For more information on how to volunteer for CASA of West Kentucky, visit childwatchcac.org, or call (270) 443-1440.
