Baldwin County's CARE House Inc. (Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center) has been awarded $99,840 to serve those who have experienced child abuse.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Nov. 13 that seven grants totaling nearly $1 million will go toward 16 agencies in south Alabama to help bring awareness to child abuse.

"Children deserve to be raised in nurturing and supportive homes. It is, therefore, critically important that we make resources available to those who have experienced abuse," Ivey said in a news release. "I am grateful to these nonprofit organizations for working to help young victims recover and overcome the trauma of abuse."

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants using funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Nikki Whitaker, executive director of BCCAC, noted that the money they receive from the grant is used for the direct services that the center has to offer.

"Our forensic interviewing and therapy, and our family advocate, all of those programs actually benefit from this grant," Whitaker said. "There's a portion, usually about 60% of, those programs is actually funded through that grant."

This federal grant is a yearly grant that the BCCAC receives. Whitaker added that this is the largest funding they receive.

"Without this grant, it would make it extremely difficult for us to be able to provide these free services that we provide," she said. "We do receive some support from municipalities, and I'll say from the county, but not all municipalities are supportive of the agency. It does make a tremendous difference that our state does allow us to apply for these victims. So, it is certainly important, because without it, it would be extremely difficult for us to be able to function."

"Child abuse has a long-term negative impact not only on individuals but also the larger community, affecting quality of life and economic prosperity," ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. "This is important work to help victims and their families recover and rebuild their lives, and Gov. Ivey and I will continue to support those who do it."

ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.