MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $470,176 to ensure victims of child abuse in Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties receive adequate care and support to help them overcome their ordeals.
Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center in Clanton will use the funds to provide free social services and to continue to assist law enforcement agencies in prosecuting offenders.
“Crimes against innocent children are reprehensible,” Ivey said. “Agencies like Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center have the resources and a knowledgeable staff to help victims through this difficult process.”
Butterfly Bridge works with social workers, medical staff and other professionals to ensure children who have suffered mental or physical abuse and neglect receive the necessary services to enable them to recover and go on to lead normal lives.
When preparing to prosecute offenders, Butterfly Bridge invites case workers, law enforcement and prosecutors to monitor forensic interviews eliminating the need for children to undergo multiple traumatic questionings.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to the state from the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Gov. Ivey and ADECA are committed to helping victims receive the services and guidance they need in order to recover from abuse,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
Like most nonprofit social service agencies, Butterfly Bridge also relies on private donations to cover operational expenses.
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Contact Jim Plott or Mike Presley