North Alabama agencies awarded $2.4M to aid child abuse victims

MONTGOMERY – Nearly a dozen agencies in North Alabama will share some $2.4 million to help provide professional assistance to child abuse victims, Gov. Kay Ivey announced.

“Child abuse unfortunately continues to be a crime that affects too many Alabama children and families,” Ivey said. “I will continue to support those who are working to help victims. I commend these groups for their focus on prevention and for working to restore victims’ ability to live happy, healthy and productive lives.”

The following agencies have received grants:

• National Children’s Advocacy Center has received $513,967 to serve victims in DeKalb, Jackson, Madison, Marshall and Morgan counties.
• Cramer Children’s Center has received $404,433 in grant funds to provide a variety of services in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale and Lawrence Counties, including “court school,” which helps victims become acclimated to a courtroom setting.
• DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Center Inc. will use its $232,484 grant for services that include therapy for abuse victims at its headquarters and at DeKalb County and Fort Payne City Schools.
• James M. Barrie Center for Children Inc. has received $223,608 to meet a critical need for services in Etowah County.
• The Child Advocacy Center of Cullman Inc. has received $201,533 to fund services including evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy in Cullman County.
• Morgan County Child Advocacy Center Inc. recently introduced a service dog named Jezebel to act as a calming presence for victims and their families. The center has received a grant of $197,204 to support a variety of services to victims in the county.
• Athens-Limestone Children’s Advocacy Center Inc. has received $193,903 to provide services in Limestone County that include parenting classes and an education program with an age-appropriate curriculum for children.
• The Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County has received $120,468, which will help the center continue to offer services to victims within the county.
• The Child Advocacy Center of Marshall County has received a grant of $123,768 for services such as counseling, support, advocacy and forensic interviews in a child-friendly setting.
• Jackson County Children’s Advocacy Center Inc. has received $99,014 to serve victims throughout the county.
• Addie’s Place, based in Double Springs. received a grant of $97,240 to assist victims in Marion and Winston counties.

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

“Several of these agencies serve rural communities that may not have the same resources as those in larger metro areas,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in supporting this funding which will help community-based centers continue to provide services in a timely manner.”

ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.