Fort Bend County Judge KP George and County Grant Coordinator Frances Desmond toured Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s offices and met with CEO Ruthanne Mefford recently to learn more about the agency’s mission and hear the stories of the children and families served by CAFB. Due to the growth of Fort Bend County and a huge increase in the reporting of child abuse and referrals to Child Advocates of Fort Bend, the number of children served by the agency has increased dramatically with no slowdown in sight. In 2018, alone, CAFB served 2,586 children and families, a 23% increase in just one year; and a 53% increase over the past 5 years. Now more than ever, Child Advocates of Fort Bend is increasingly challenged to meet its purpose to ensure that every abused and neglected child receives essential services.
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L to R are: Fort Bend County Grants Coordinator , Fort Bend County Judge JP George, Child Advocates of Fort Bend CEO Ruthanne Mefford and Development Officer Dana Mersiovsky.
Through its CASA program, Child Advocates of Fort Bend is appointed by the Fort Bend family courts as court-appointed advocates for 100% of children in foster care, to ensure that they do not fall through the cracks and further suffer following their abuse. This program is considered a model program for foster children in the state of Texas.
In addition, the agency operates a Children’s Advocacy Center where sexually abused children come for services. These children are interviewed by trained forensic interviewers, receive medical exams, therapy and mental health services and case management from professionals in the field of child welfare. CAFB has served more than 16,565 children since opening its doors in 1991.
The agency’s annual gala and auction raises much needed funds to support its programs for abused and neglected children. Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s Gala “Up, Up and Away” will be held May 4, 2019 at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. To attend the Gala, become a sponsor or for more information go to https://www.cafb.org/events/gala/ or contact Lisa Moore at 281-344-5108 or lmoore@cafb.org.