National Children's Alliance Announces Over $10 Million in Federal Grant Awards

Awarded funds will support Child Advocacy Centers and Multi-Disciplinary Teams around the country

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On January 13th, 2010, National Children's Alliance (NCA), under agreement with the United States Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), announced grant awards over $10 million distributed among 539 Child Advocacy Centers and Multi-Disciplinary Teams across the country.

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The objective of the funding is to further the development and implementation of children's advocacy centers and their multi-disciplinary approach to child abuse investigations, prosecution, and treatment. The multidisciplinary approach is a child-focused method in which representatives from many disciplines, including law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy, work together to conduct interviews and make team decisions about the investigation, treatment, management and prosecution of child abuse cases.

"During a time of state budget cuts in child protective service and rising child abuse cases, we are thrilled to be able to provide critical resources to many child advocacy centers around the country committed to the intervention and prevention of child abuse," remarked Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children's Alliance. "The application process for receipt of these funds was extremely competitive, and each grant recipient presented their individual case for support in a compelling fashion, outlining detailed plans for assisting child victims of abuse. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact these dollars will have on the lives of vulnerable children nationwide."

The granted funds were allocated in the following areas:

• Program Development and Expansion - $1,050,000 to 38 organizations in 24 different states
• Program Improvement - $1,200,000 to 27 organizations in 17 different states
• Urban Initiatives - $200,000 to two organizations from different states
• Washington, D.C. Specific Initiatives received $14,470
• Chapter and Tribal Development - $150,000 to three organizations in three different states
• General Chapter Support - $7,495,000 went to State Chapter organizations to support hundreds of Child Advocacy Centers and Multi-Disciplinary Teams in nearly every U.S. state

For more information on the allocation of these federal funds and how the granted dollars will directly impact communities across the nation, please contact Cori Plotkin at [email protected] or 303.887.4298. And for more information on National Children's Alliance and the various benefits it offers its over 700 members across the country, including financial assistance, please visit www.nationalchildrensalliance.org.

National Children's Alliance (NCA) is a national association dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. As the accrediting body for the over 700 Child Advocacy Centers around the country, NCA provides training, financial support, technical assistance, leadership, national advocacy and access to current research findings on a national level to children's advocacy centers around the country as well as numerous developing centers, multidisciplinary teams and child abuse professionals. As the national authority on multidisciplinary approaches to supporting child victims of abuse, NCA's purpose is to empower local communities to provide comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse.

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Teresa Huizar

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SOURCE National Children's Alliance