[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         I AM FOR THE CHILD DAY

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the first 
annual I am for the Child Day on April 18, 2018, sponsored by the 
Wisconsin Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA, Association and the 
National CASA Association. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and 
Wisconsin CASA champions the needs of abused and neglected children. 
Over 6,000 Wisconsin children are in foster care; yet only 690 are 
assigned trained volunteers who can advocate for their safety and well-
being while under the protection of the courts and child welfare 
agencies. The goal of the first annual I am for the Child Day is to 
raise awareness about the need for volunteers and the crippling impacts 
of child abuse and neglect on vulnerable children. I am proud to honor 
the WI CASA organization and the dedicated volunteers whose voice can 
speak for these children.
  The Wisconsin CASA Association is a charitable, nonprofit member of 
the National CASA Association network. The association supports local 
programs throughout the State of Wisconsin in La Crosse, Vernon, 
Monroe, Brown, Marinette, Outagamie, Rock, Columbia, Dane, Manitowoc, 
Sauk, and Milwaukee Counties. Court appointed special advocates are 
community volunteers who champion the needs of abused and neglected 
children. They are sworn ``friends of the court'' acting under the 
jurisdiction of an appointing judge. Their work strengthens outcomes 
for children involved in an overstrained social welfare system. They 
provide advocacy for children's health, safety, emotional and physical 
development, family interaction, education, faith, recreation, and the 
cultural continuity that children need to thrive.
  These volunteers interact with parents, caregivers, siblings, 
extended family members, foster parents, teachers, counselors, and 
healthcare providers to monitor the children's educational progress and 
social development. Their observations ultimately cultivate important 
recommendations for the court. Research shows that CASA volunteers 
strengthen outcomes for children, enhance child safety, reduce time 
spent in foster care, and improve the services the children receive.
  CASA organizations are accelerating their advocacy by designating 
April 18 as the first annual I am for the Child Day with the goal of 
bringing awareness to child abuse everywhere and to help these children 
navigate a tumultuous life experience. Once again, I commend the 
Wisconsin Court Appointed Special Advocates Association on their 
admirable work and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments in 
the future.

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