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Walt Merrell, Chairman of the Board for the Covington County Child Advocacy Center, announced that the CAC has been awarded a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for the 2021 fiscal year. The award totals $95,000, earmarked for services directly benefiting child victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect.“These funds will make a significant impact in helping us help the children of Covington County,” Merrell said.

The CAC serves children of all ages, primarily within Covington County. Services provided by the CAC include forensic interviewing, counseling and play therapy, and medical exams and treatment. Forensic interviews are conducted by highly specialized forensic interviewers and are designed to get the child to describe what has happened so that the appropriate treatment can be offered. Sexual assault medical exams are necessary in most sexual abuse cases, and treatment is provided where there is concern of sexually transmitted diseases or other physical issues. Physical examinations are often necessary in cases of physical abuse, and the children receive any necessary medical care. Every child victim of abuse is also offered counseling and therapy services.

Merrell added, “Receiving this grant is a huge blessing for the abused and neglected children that will enter our CAC’s doors throughout this next year. The CAC provides hours upon hours of forensic interviewing and counseling to child victims each year, all at no cost to them or their families. The same goes for medical exams and treatment needs. These victims and their families have enough to overcome without the added financial worries of the services that are so important to bringing healing. It is our desire to make these victims whole, and this grant will help us do that.”

The CAC serves several hundred children each year. As a nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible. If you are interested in making a donation to the CAC, its mailing address is 125 Medical Park Drive, Suite 103, Andalusia, Alabama 36420.