MONTGOMERY— Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded a $186,000 grant to the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center to support services that help young victims recover from physical and sexual abuse.
The funds will help the center continue providing services like specialized investigative interviews for young victims, advocacy and counseling to children and affected family members. The center provides the services in a child friendly environment.
“Children who are victimized in such tragic ways need specialized assistance and advocacy,” Bentley said. “I commend the work done by the staff of the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center in helping give a voice to those who might not always be able to speak for themselves.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation, water resource management, job training and career development.
“Child advocacy centers play an important role by helping young victims find justice for the crimes committed against them and by providing programs to prevent further abuse,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “Our partnership with the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center helps ensure assistance is always available to child abuse survivors.”
Bentley notified Scott Anderson, chairman of the center’s board, that the grant had been approved. Matching funds of $43,848 are supplementing the grant.
In addition to grants, the center depends on private donations to ensure a full range of services is available to victims.
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Contact: Russell Sellers, Mike Presley