MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $1 million to provide professional aid to children who have been physically, mentally or sexually abused.
The funds will be distributed to eight regional child advocacy and help centers in central and south Alabama. The centers provide specialized services to help children, who are victims of abuse, family violence and human trafficking, to receive adequate treatment.
“Child abuse can come in many forms, and all of them are abhorrent and inexcusable,” Gov. Ivey said. “These centers and agencies were established to help children overcome the sorrows they have suffered so that they can realize brighter futures.”
Gov. Ivey awarded the grants using funds provided to the state through the U.S. Department of Justice. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the awards.
“I am thankful that there are centers where abused children can receive the care they need to help them heal from the physical and mental scars they have had to endure,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of these agencies and the vital services they render.”
Awarded funds are:
Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center Inc. (Clanton) – $221,050 to provide support and safety services and legal assistance for child abuse victims in Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties.
Central Alabama Regional Advocacy Center (Selma) – $86,225 to provide emotional support and safety services to child victims in Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox counties. The center also assists victims in criminal and civil legal matters associated with abuse.
Child Protect Inc. (Montgomery) – $107,390 to provide personal and legal assistance to child victims and survivors of homicide victims in Montgomery County.
Covington County Child Advocacy Center (Andalusia) – $74,467 to provide personal advocacy and accompaniment and emotional support and safety services to child abuse victims in Covington County.
Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy Center (Brewton) – $54,870 to provide support and safety services, advocacy and legal accompaniment and other services to child victims in Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe counties.
Exchange Center for Child Abuse Prevention (Dothan) – $144,232 to provide emotional support and safety services and compensation claims for child victims in Barbour, Coffee, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties.
Family Counseling Center of Mobile Inc. (Mobile)- $283,865 to provide emotional support and legal assistance to children in Mobile County who are victims of abuse, neglect, and child pornography. The center also assists family members of homicide victims.
Regional Child Advocacy Center Inc. (Grove Hill) – $74,467 to provide advocacy and accompaniment and emotional support and safety services to child abuse victims in Choctaw, Clark and Washington 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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