Pinwheels Planted for Child Abuse Prevention Month

Pinwheels planted along Nicholasville Road in Lexington.

Blue pinwheels are brightening central Kentucky communities served by CASA of Lexington. We planted pinwheels in each of the counties we serve to help raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

In Fayette County, pinwheels are planted along Nicholasville Road, in front of Raising Cane’s inside New Circle. In Bourbon County, pinwheels are planted in front of the courthouse and the Paris city offices. Pinwheels are planted or will be planted soon in Woodford, Scott, Jessamine, Garrard and Lincoln counties, as well.

“Every April, we want to raise awareness about the problem of child abuse. But awareness is just step one,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “Step two is going from awareness to action. And one of the best ways you can take action is by becoming CASA volunteer.”

Kentucky has one of the five worst rates of child abuse and neglect in the nation, according to the federal Child Maltreatment Report. The state has been the worst in the country for abuse and neglect three of the last four years.

More than 1,600 children were abused or neglected in CASA of Lexington’s service area last year, according to data from the Administrative Office of the Courts. There are likely thousands more cases still open from previous years. In 2021, CASA volunteers advocated for 616 of those children.

Pinwheels planted in front of the courthouse in Paris, Ky.

“There are definitely more children who need a CASA volunteer,” Jamison said. “We have trainings starting regularly throughout the year for anyone who has a heart for helping children and wants to make a real difference.”

CASA volunteers complete 30 hours of training, which can be completed in-person through classes on nights and weekends or virtually through online classes. Then, they are matched with children in the family court system.

CASA volunteers spend an average of 5-10 hours a month volunteering. They visit with the child on their case monthly, talk to adults involved in the child’s life and review documents like educational records. They file reports with the judge at each hearing, helping improve outcomes for the children.

“A majority of our volunteers actually work full-time,” Jamison said. “Except for the court hearings, which you know about months in advance, volunteers get to plan their hours around their own schedules.”

If you would like more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, you can visit www.casaoflexington.org, email info@casaoflexington.org or call (859) 246-4313.