CASA Kane County is reminding residents that child abuse and neglect exists — even right here in our own back yards — and to do your part by calling 1-800-25-ABUSE to make a report.

In April 2015, CASA Kane County distributed and mailed information packets to Illinois State Mandated Reporters to further educate the community on what to do if child abuse or neglect is suspected.

Click this link for the Mandated Reporting Tool Kit.

The initiative began with the collaboration among CASA Kane County, the Kane County States Attorney’s Office, the Kane County Regional Office of Education, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

“The message is simple: If you see something – say something,” organizers said in an open letter. “There is no better time than now
to educate people within your organization and bring awareness to the community.”

For more information, please visit www.casakanecounty.org to download the relevant materials on the Mandated Reporting Toolkit and bring into your place of work.

“Did you know that in Kane County, there are more than 4,000 hotline calls made annually?” the open letter said. “This abuse knows no socio-economic barrier or ethnic group. Sadly, the youngest members of our community are impacted the most. Innocent children have no way to defend or protect themselves and sometimes the only thing standing between them and their perpetrators — is YOU.”

The letter is signed by CASA Kane County Executive Director Gloria Kelley, Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon and Kane County Regional Superintendent of Schools Patricia Dal Santo.

CASA Kane County is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system. To learn more, visit the organization’s website at www.casakanecounty.org.

Open Letter to the Community