MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a total of $1.6 million to eight agencies in north Alabama that help children who are victims of abuse and neglect.
Organizations receiving the grants provide emotional and safety support and legal assistance to child victims and non-offending family members in 10 counties.
“Child abuse can leave victims with life-long scars, and it robs them of their innocence,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am thankful for these organizations and the professional assistance they provide to child victims along with their aid in seeing that abusers are prosecuted.”
Funding is provided to the state through a program of the U.S. Department of Justice. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the awards.
“Childhood should be filled with good memories and enjoyment and not dark periods brought on by abuse and neglect,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA supports Gov. Ivey and these agencies who seek to assist these most vulnerable victims in recovering and rebuilding their lives.”
Awarded grants are:
The National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville: $571,074 to provide support and services for victims in DeKalb, Jackson, Madison, Marshall and Morgan counties.
The Child Advocacy Center of Marshall County in Guntersville: $137,520 to provide support and services for children in Marshall County.
The James M. Barrie Center for Children Inc. in Gadsden: $248,453 to provide services to abused and neglected children in Etowah County.
The Blount County Children’s Center in Oneonta: $50,049 to provide services and legal assistance for victims in Blount County.
The DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Center Inc. in Fort Payne: $258,316 to provide services for child victims in DeKalb County.
The Jackson County Children’s Advocacy Center Inc. in Scottsboro: $110,016 to provide emotional support and legal services for victims in Jackson County.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County in Centre: $133,853 to provide services for children in Cherokee County.
The Calhoun/Cleburne Children’s Center Inc. in Anniston: $124,685 to provide support and legal services for child victims in Calhoun and Cleburne counties.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
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