MONTGOMERY— An organization that helps victims of child abuse in Tuscaloosa County is getting a little extra support thanks to a $9,778 grant awarded by Gov. Bob Riley.
The grant to the Tuscaloosa Children’s Center will help fund services including individual, family and group counseling. The grant supplements a $47,738 grant awarded by Riley earlier this year.
“Professional, compassionate care is important in helping children recover from abuse,” said Riley. “I commend the Center’s staff for helping these children and their families.”
The organization has been providing free counseling to abused children for 15 years. Other services offered by the center include helping children and families prepare for forensic exams and court advocacy. The center also works closely with law enforcement agencies, the state Department of Human Resources and the district attorney’s office to assist with the investigation and prosecution of abusers.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Riley notified John Mize, the center’s president, that the grant had been approved. Local matching funds of $2,441 will supplement the award.
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Contact: Josh Carples; Larry Childers