MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded an additional $47,930 in grants to help four organizations continue serving child victims of sexual and physical abuse in northeast Alabama.

The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and supplements $234,199 in grants awarded to the groups in late 2008.

“Ensuring professional and compassionate care for victims of child abuse is important to help them recover,” said Riley.

The following grants were awarded:

• $15,762 to the Calhoun/Cleburne Children’s Center in Anniston
• $15,741 to the James M. Barrie Center for Children in Gadsden
• $10,025 to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County in Centre
• $6,402 to the St. Clair Children’s Advocacy Center in Pell City          

The centers offer counseling, court advocacy and medical examinations performed by specially-trained nurses. Each organization works closely with local law enforcement and child welfare agencies to minimize trauma and stress for child victims and aid in the prosecution of offenders.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Riley notified officials from each organization that the grants had been approved.

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Contact: Josh Carples; Larry Childers