Dallas goes blue for neglected children

Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is hosting a virtual Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Event. The event will honor the 24 Dallas County children who died in 2020 due to abuse or neglect and recognize the Child Protective Services caseworkers who work on the frontlines of child welfare. Downtown Dallas buildings will be lit in blue the evening of April 9. Blue is the color of child abuse and prevention. April is National Child Abuse and Prevention Month. Child Protective Services caseworkers are invited to drive through Dallas CASA’s parking lot for a free lunch donated by In-N-Out Burger. Dallas CASA is located at 2757 Swiss Ave. in Dallas. The event is on Friday, April 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. On any given day, more than 2,000 Dallas County children live in the protective care of the state due to abuse or severe neglect. In 2020, Dallas CASA’s 1,527 volunteer advocates were assigned to advocate for 3,374 children in protective care. 

— Rosanne Lewis