Advocates promote April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

CASA seeks more volunteers as abuse, neglect reports rise

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP – For April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, advocates in Kane County urge mandated reporters to follow through, and anyone who sees something to say something.

According to state law, “Mandated reporters are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately when they have ‘reasonable cause to believe’ that a child known to them in their professional or official capacity may be an abused or neglected child.”

In her monthly media briefing this week, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser highlighted the role of mandatory reporters in addressing suspected child abuse, featuring guest Deanna Oliver, the assistant regional superintendent of schools and Gloria Kelley, executive director of CASA.

“Our office primarily looks at, are the districts ensuring that they are doing the training for mandatory reporting for all of those staff that come in contact with students,” Oliver said of the regional school office. “A lot of times people think mandated reporters are only teachers. But they’re also our bus drivers, our secretaries, our lunch ladies. So whoever we think children may report their abuse to, (the districts) need to make sure that they’re trained.”

Oliver said her office goes into the schools to ensure that the training takes place and that the staff understands the mandatory reporting requirements.

“That’s been a challenge over the last year because many children have been attending school virtually and so (we are) just trying to find creative ways to ensure children are safe,” Oliver said.

“Whether that’s meetings with social workers online, and now as we return to in-person learning, I think we are a little concerned there may have been some children hidden in the midst and we’re going to start seeing an uptick in those reports as children are more face-to-face and building those relationships with their teachers,” Oliver said. “And not just teachers, a lot of times kids really make a connection with a custodian, a coach – it could be a bus driver – so whoever those people are that they’re really connected to, we’re going to start seeing those reports.”

Oliver said the Regional Office of Education wants to be sure they’re promoting April as awareness month through Hands Around the Courthouse or contacts through social media and meetings with the school superintendents.

Mosser said especially during COVID time, her office saw an 85% increase in child abuse and neglect reports.

Kelley said CASA has been working in collaboration with Mosser, Oliver and Sheriff Ron Hain to develop a clear message: If you see something, say something.

“We know that there are so many families that are struggling and a lot of people are not wanting to make the call – for whatever reason – for fear of getting a family member or someone in trouble. But in reality, you are helping children … with what they need. And we are going to provide support and services to families to get them the help. Because this past year has been so stressful on all of us with covid.”

On April 29, CASA is going to host its annual Hands Around the Courthouse event at the Kane County courthouse in Geneva outside with a large ribbon, allowing for social distancing for all attendees, Kelley said.

“Our goal is to get hands around the entire courthouse,”

Kelley said. “And that would be really something to stand up and be proud of.”

CASA is also sending out signs at their annex at 310 Campbell St., Geneva.

Kelley said CASA has 220 volunteers who support children’s needs as they go to court.

“Especially during these times (of) COVID, they’re not missing a beat of every visit and some, because of the health concerns and issues, but so much more has been accomplished working with our judiciary partners in helping recruit our volunteers,” Kelley said.

“I will say that in our organization’s 33 years history, we have seen the highest increase in our office of abuse and neglect with over 100,” Kelley said. “And we are actually down CASA-GAL (guardian ad litem) volunteers so we are pushing a campaign for community volunteers to come together and become the child’s voice in court and that consistency that our kids in foster care need.”

Mosser said mandated reporters can report suspected abuse and neglect to DCFS or to the Sheriff’s Office, because deputies investigate these crimes.

“And if they don’t … then they are again going to meet our fine sheriff here and he’s going to arrest them for not reporting,” Mosser said.

Hain said the jail’s detainee population have all suffered severe childhood trauma that led to their involvement with the criminal justice system because they didn’t have advocates or support.

He said his office relies heavily on mandated reporters “to get the ball rolling.”

“Our children are our most important commodity in my mind and we have to do all we can to protect them,” Hain said. “If there’s gaps in the system, if there’s not enough GALs to see them through the court process properly, if people who are mandated reporters aren’t doing their mandated reporting, think about the lives of those children and the everlasting effect upon them.”