Dallas CASA, CAPCO to Host Child Abuse Prevention Event
By Contributor Isabella Castillo
The Dallas County Child Abuse Prevention Coalition (CAPCO) and Dallas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will host their annual child abuse and neglect prevention awareness event on April 4 in conjunction with Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month at the Dallas CASA parking lot, 2757 Swiss Ave.
The event will honor the four Dallas children who died due to maltreatment in 2024. In 2023 there were 13 child deaths, and in 2022 there were seven deaths.
Child advocates will join the event, including University of North Texas student Selina Leija, a member of Push UNTil Success Happens (PUSH), a student organization supporting youth who were in foster care. The Hon. Hector Garza of the 195th District Court, a felony court, will be on hand for a call to action and recognition of child welfare caseworkers and advocates.
WFAA reporter Steve “Scoop” Jefferson will emcee the event, and Bishop Aaron Blake will provide the keynote address.The Dallas County Child Abuse Prevention Leadership Award will be presented to Leigh Ann Lozano.
Local child abuse prevention advocates and welfare workers from several North Texas child welfare agencies, including Dallas CASA, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, the Dallas County Child Welfare Board, Family Compass, TexProtects and the United Way of Dallas’ HOPES Program will be in attendance. In addition to colleagues from Child Protective Services and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, EMPOWER, the Dallas Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit and the Dallas District Attorney’s Crimes Against Children Division are also invited to the CAPCO event.
Downtown Dallas buildings will be lit blue the evening of April 4 in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more information, visit dallascasa.org.
