MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $2.5 million to 11 agencies in central Alabama that help children recover from abuse and neglect.
“Child abuse and neglect have a significant negative impact upon the wellbeing of both children and families,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend these agencies for providing services that are essential to helping victims and their families recover.”
Alabama CASA Network Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Lee County, has received $1.5 million to provide volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children throughout the state.
Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center Inc. has received $232,684 to offer a variety of services to victims in Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties.
Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services Inc. has received $135,320 for its efforts to provide healing and justice to victims in Lee and Macon counties. The center received a separate grant of $69,620 to fund Keeping Family Connections, a supervised visitation program for Lee County families in situations where reunification of parent and child may be possible.
Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center has received $127,894 to assist victims with a variety of services in Chambers, Clay, Coosa, Randolph and Tallapoosa counties.
Child Protect Inc. will use its $113,042 grant for services in Montgomery County, including assisting the county Department of Human Resources and law enforcement with investigations of child abuse allegations.
Pike Regional Advocacy Center will use its $94,064 grant for services including crisis counseling, forensic medical evaluations, public awareness and education in Barbour, Bullock, Coffee and Pike counties.
Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center Inc. has received $90,763 to provide services including forensic interviews and victim advocacy in Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox counties.
Talladega County Child Advocacy Center Inc. has received $61,917 to provide professional assistance to victims in Talladega County.
Russell County Child Advocacy Center has received $56,934 to offer timely, trauma-informed services to victims in Russell County.
Butler County Children’s Advocacy Center has received $18,025 to fund victim services including counseling, assistance with needs, referrals to additional community organizations and education in Butler County.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering these grants from funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Child advocacy centers fulfill many needs, including helping victims recover and assisting in the investigation of crimes against children,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Gov. Ivey and I are dedicated to supporting these agencies and the important work that they do each and every day.”
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
