VZC in top 15 for child abuse, neglect
Photo by Britne Hammons
Mary Jo Burgess of CASA shows a graph depicting the rise in the number of child abuse and neglect in VZC during a commissioners court meeting July 26.
Mary Jo Burgess of Court Appointed Special Advocates dropped a staggering statement July 26 during the commissioners court meeting.
Burgess told commissioners that “Van Zandt County ranks in the top 15 percent of counties in Texas, based on population, of children that have to be removed from their home for child abuse or neglect. So, we have a problem here in the county,” said Burgess.
Burgess said that CASA serves Smith, Wood and Van Zandt counties and that CASA volunteers serve
in the capacity of guardian ad litem for children who are removed from their homes by CPS. She also stated that there were 25 CASA volunteers in Van Zandt County.
Burgess remarked on the increase of the number of children who CASA is supporting in Van Zandt County.
“In 2014, we served 79 children, in 2015, we served 112 children and already in 2016, we have served 150.So, the increase is dramatic in VZC and we definitely have a problem in the county,” said Burgess.
Burgess then reflected on the pressing needs that CASA had.
“We are grateful for everything we have, but we need a larger office space. Right now, we run out of a very tiny space at a church. We would also like to be included within the county’s budget. Smith and Wood county already budget CASA in, and we would like to be in the VZC budget. Also, we need volunteers. Our efforts are not matching the needs of those children. When we have a volunteer assigned they have one or two cases. They devote much more time than an attorney could to that child,” said Burgess.
The commissioners thanked Burgess for her presentation and applauded the work that CASA does.
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