$83K awarded to Mon County CAC
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MORGANTOWN - Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $2,128,850.88 in grants for child advocacy centers across the state Friday, which includes $83,245.41 for the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center.
The funding supports 22 centers statewide to provide critical support to child abuse survivors via advocacy support, assistance during medical examinations and interviews, counseling, education and more.
Dr. Laura Capage, executive director and founding member of MCCAC, said that the Monongalia County center provides three main resiliency-building services: forensic interviews, family advocacy and therapy.
She described the center as a "child-friendly and safe space" where at-risk children can heal.
MCCAC is a nonprofit entity and has been providing support to the community since 2004, according to their website moncocac.org.
The Marion County Child Advocacy Center was also awarded a grant valued at $81,318.36. These funds will provide for forensic interviews, victim advocacy, case coordination and community outreach for child victims in Marion County and north-central West Virginia.
Grants are administered through the Justice and Community Services Section of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services at das.wv.gov.
Capage said the center is appreciative of the continued state support via government grants and annual fundraisers.
Capage is grateful to provide services free-of-charge to needy families, and the CAC grant takes a weight off her shoulders when ensuring high quality assistance.
"As a nonprofit agency, we're always worried about money," she said. "There are no guarantees. Every year, we start at zero, and you try to raise the money that you need to operate and serve children and families by the end of the year, so I would always say I'm always worried about how we are going to bring in the money that we need so we don't have to turn anybody away."
Capage said that the MCCAC served 960 victims last year, and "every dollar counts" when investing in Monongalia County children's health and safety.
"We appreciate all the support we receive through grants and community supporters," she said. "Investing in children's wellbeing pays off in spades down the road because as kids mature in adulthood, they will be less likely to have long-term problems and need social support. Certainly investing in children now, a little bit of money will go a long way down the road."
Morrisey agreed. “Protecting West Virginia’s children is one of our most important responsibilities. These grants ensure that children who have experienced abuse receive the care, advocacy and support they need while helping law enforcement, prosecutors, medical professionals and child advocates work together to pursue justice and protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
For more information on grant funding awarded per organization, visit the West Virginia Official Government website at governor.wv.gov. The MCCAC is located at 909 Green Bag Road and can be contacted at 304-598-0344.