MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention will join local and state leaders on Feb. 28 to present a check in the amount of $1,521,900 to local grantee organizations in Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District.
“The Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention looks forward each year to participating in our annual district check presentations. These events provide opportunities to highlight the outstanding work of our agency’s funded programs in each of the state’s seven congressional districts. These community-based entities implement evidence-based programs to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect in Alabama.” said Sallye Longshore, director of the Alabama Department of Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention.
The Alabama Department of Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention, also known as the Children’s Trust Fund, provides annual funding to community-based programs across the state that are dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. This year, the agency awarded a total of 175 grants statewide to a range of prevention efforts, including parent education, home visiting, fatherhood, mentoring, respite care, and community awareness programs.
This check presentation includes 21 grants to local organizations working throughout Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District. The organizations funded include: The Link of Cullman County, Family Success Center of Etowah County Inc., United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Alabama, Jasper Area Family Services Center Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast AL, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoals, Inc., Sheffield City School, Gadsden City Schools, United Way’s Success By 6, Hospice of Marshall County- Shepherd’s Cove, Family Services of North Alabama and Gadsden State Community College.
“The Link of Cullman County has been able to expand our reach and approach for parenting education in Cullman County through the Children’s Trust Fund grant. We offer Active Parenting by age/stage, 24/7 Dad and have added The Nurturing Families Initiative this year. Nurturing Families takes an individualized approach to parenting education based on the identified needs of each family. During 2022 we expanded our facilities to better reach children and families. The Nurturing Place has already served over 85 families from August to December 2022. A ribbon cutting for this new space is set for early spring,” said Melissa Betts, executive director of The Link of Cullman County.
For more information on parenting education, contact The Link at 256-775-0028.
According to the 2021 Alabama Kids Count Data Book, there were 48,077 reports of child abuse and neglect in the state. The data also included 11,603 victims that year.
Betts stated, “Over 48,000 children….that is staggering when you consider the long-term impact abuse and neglect has on children. That is why EVERY opportunity to impact a family is an important opportunity for us to make the most of.”
