Prairieland United Way supports 19 agencies with funding for 27 programs providing services to more than 45,000 people in four counties. But as needs grow, these groups could use even more help. The Journal-Courier and Prairieland United Way have partnered to present information each Saturday for the next eight weeks about the crucial services provided in our community and how to help.

Advocacy Network for Children

Our goal is really quite simple- to protect and uphold the rights of children when wrongs have been committed against them: help abused or neglected children have safe permanent homes where they can thrive; to act as a powerful voice in these children’s best interests; and to educate the public about the plight of abused children.

 

We serve children from birth until 18 years old.  The Children’s Advocacy Center serves Adams, Brown, Cass, Hancock, McDonough, Morgan, Pike, Schuyler, and Scott Counties.  The Court Appointed Special Advocates program serves Adams, Brown, Cass, Hancock, Morgan, Pike, and Schuyler Counties.  This program recently expanded their services to include Mason, Menard, and Scott Counties.

 

Advocacy Network for Children has two distinct programs, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). We are a 501 c3 non-profit organization that was established in 1990.  The CAC provides a safe, neutral, child-friendly environment where child victims and non-offending families meet with a team of professionals for the purpose of investigation. The CAC staff provides advocacy services and help bridge the gap between social services, law enforcement, and the court system.  The CASA program is trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for abused or neglected children in court. These volunteers work alongside attorneys and case workers until the case is completed.  We also have a research-based Prevention Program, “P.S. It’s My Body/Happy Bear” that teaches children safety strategies and is designed to decrease children’s risk of being abused.

 

CASA volunteers are needed in all counties served.  There is no special experience required.  Once accepted, volunteers are trained in courtroom procedure, the social service and juvenile court systems, and the special needs of children who have been abuse or neglected.

 

If you believe a child is being abused or neglected, you may contact the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-25ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). 

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For more information, please contact our home office at (217) 223-2272.  You can find us on Facebook.

All Prairieland United Way partner agencies are vetted and provide programs that meet strict guidelines, with proven results and positive outcomes. Donations made to Prairieland United Way are 100% invested in these programs, including the one featured here.