Governor Kay Ivey is working with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to award a total of $2.5 million in grants to several Central Alabama agencies that aid children who have been neglected or abused.
“Child abuse and neglect have a significant negative impact upon the wellbeing of both children and families,” Ivey said. “I commend these agencies for providing services that are essential to helping victims and their families recover.”
RELATED: Gov. Ivey awards grants to child abuse victims in South Alabama
ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell revealed where a large portion of the new grant money will end up.
“Child advocacy centers fulfill many needs, including helping victims recover and assisting in the investigation of crimes against children,” he said. “Gov. Ivey and I are dedicated to supporting these agencies and the important work that they do each and every day.”
The eleven agencies receiving a portion of the $2.5 million in funding include:
Alabama CASA Network Inc.-a nonprofit organization based in Lee County received $1.5 million to provide volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children throughout the state.
Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center Inc.– received $232,684 to offer a variety of services to victims in Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore counties
Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services Inc.-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-received $127,894 to assist victims with a variety of services in Chambers, Clay, Coosa, Randolph and Tallapoosa counties.
Child Protect Inc.– received a $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– received a $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.– 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.-received $61,917 to provide professional assistance to victims in Talladega County.
Russell County Child Advocacy Center-received $56,934 to offer timely, trauma-informed services to victims in Russell County.
Butler County Children’s Advocacy Center-received $18,025 to fund victim services including counseling, assistance with needs, referrals to additional community organizations and education in Butler County.
Earlier this month, Ivey also awarded millions in additional funding to North and South Alabama groups who are also fighting child abuse and neglect.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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