REGION – In an effort to provide much needed assistance to child advocacy centers throughout Alabama, Gov. Bob Riley has awarded a $37,138 grant to the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers.

Many Alabama counties lack the necessary facilities and programs needed to deal with abused children. The Network currently supports 24 child advocacy centers throughout the state, but its ultimate goal is to provide convenient assistance to all Alabama victims.

While child victims of sexual and physical abuse in Marengo, Greene, Hale, Sumter and Perry counties have services available to them for dealing with the physical and emotional trauma caused by abuse, there are no Network member advocacy centers in those areas.

Network member advocacy centers provide a comfortable environment where child victims can receive counseling, interviews and referrals for medical exams.

Tara Johnson, state coordinator for the Network, said the majority of the funds from this grant will be disseminated throughout the 24 existing member centers. The Network will also use the funds to conduct training sessions and presentations at member centers.

“Part of our mission is to expand to the Black Belt and other areas that are under-served,” Johnson said.

The Network will also work to improve public awareness of child abuse in Alabama and of services and programs available at advocacy centers around the state.

Gov. Riley awarded the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.