See an update below from Child Advocacy Services SEGA on an exciting summer of mission-centered work.
At Child Advocacy Services SEGA, we believe in a community where every child and family have access to resources to help them thrive in a safe and loving home. Our three programs, under the CASSEGA umbrella, work tirelessly to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment.
These programs include Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Prevent Child Abuse Ogeechee, and the Ogeechee Visitation Centers. Together, these programs form a comprehensive approach to child advocacy, protection, and support. We are proud to serve the children and families of Southeast Georgia (Bulloch, Screven, Jenkins, and Effingham)!
CASA Ogeechee: Advocating for the Voiceless
Our CASA volunteers are the heart and soul of our mission. They stand up for the rights of children in the foster care system, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. With unwavering dedication, our advocates help build a path to a safe and permanent home for every child. Through the training of community volunteers, we can carry out our mission.
This past summer, we hosted several CASA 101 sessions, providing community members with insights into the impact of CASA volunteers. The session sparked interest with attendees, and we look forward to starting our Fall CASA Ogeechee training class in September. To register for this class, please contact Madison Markham at [email protected].
Prevent Child Abuse Ogeechee: Empowering Families and Preventing Harm
Prevention is the key to breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect. Through education, community outreach, and support programs, we empower families with the tools and knowledge to create safe and nurturing homes. Our goal is to prevent child abuse before it starts, ensuring a healthy future for our community.
Prevent Child Abuse Ogeechee (PCAO) has been actively involved in outreach and education efforts aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect before it occurs. This past week, PCA Ogeechee celebrated its one year anniversary with the training of 15 Mandated Reporters.
As a local council of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, our staff has two trained staff members to deliver training to “child serving professionals and volunteers who may suspect child abuse or have a child disclose abuse to them through their work with children.
However, barriers such as fear of reporting, the inability to recognize all forms of child maltreatment, and vague organizational policies may prevent professionals from making a report of child maltreatment. This mandated reporter training is designed to help professionals:
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Understand how the laws around mandated reporting affect mandated reporters.
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Describe the process for handling a disclosure of abuse.
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Describe the mandated reporter’s role in reporting suspected abuse and neglect.
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Identify physical and behavioral indicators of the legally recognized types of abuse and neglect in Georgia.
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Identify which groups of children may be at higher risk of being abused or neglected.
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Describe the steps necessary to report suspected abuse or neglect.”
To request a training, please contact us at [email protected] for Mandated Reporter or Supporter Training. All trainings can be provided virtually or in-person within the state of Georgia.
Ogeechee Visitation Center: Providing Safe Spaces for Families
We provide a safe, neutral space for families to connect and rebuild. Our centers offer supervised visitation services that allow children to maintain relationships with their parents in a secure environment. We strive to make every visit a step towards reunification and healing.
This summer, we celebrated two families who completed parent education classes.
Upcoming Events and Announcements
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Superhero 5K Fundraiser: Mark your calendars for October 26, as we host our annual Superhero 5K in Guyton, GA! This fun-filled event supports our mission to protect and empower children and families in our community. Lace up your shoes and dress up as your favorite superhero! Registration is now open via www.cas-sega.org/superherorun.
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Volunteer Opportunities: There are many ways to get support! Whether you become a CASA volunteer, support families engaged in Supervised Visitation, or advocate for child abuse prevention, your involvement makes a difference! If you are interested in making a difference in a child’s life, please contact us to learn more about how you can get involved.
About Child Advocacy Services SEGA, Inc.
The mission of Child Advocacy Services, SEGA, Inc., (CASSEGA) the sponsoring agency for CASA Ogeechee, Prevent Child Abuse Ogeechee and Ogeechee Visitation Center, is to prevent child abuse and neglect and ensure the overall well-being of children and families through advocacy, education, networking, and evidence-based prevention programs in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, which encompasses the 2,158 square miles of Bulloch, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven counties.
For more information, please visit www.cas-sega.org or call us 912-764-4849.
