The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-based Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence has awarded over $600,000 in funding to 11 organizations across the state to combat child abuse and neglect. The grants, the largest amount awarded by the commission since the inception of its grant program three years ago, will support projects aimed at preventing child abuse and creating wrap-around support services for children and parents.
Recipients of the grants include organizations such as White County Domestic Violence Prevention, the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Community Connections. White County Domestic Violence Prevention plans to expand services for at-risk children and families, while the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence will establish the Parent and Child Legal Aid Program to provide free legal representation to domestic violence victims and their children.
Community Connections will use their grant to add a full-time family and child abuse prevention coordinator and expand their services, which include free extracurricular activities for children and young adults with disabilities.
The commission, established by the Arkansas Legislature 30 years ago, aims to strengthen support services for victims of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence, as well as work on human trafficking prevention. The competitive grant program, in its third year, received 23 applications before awarding funding to the selected organizations. The programs funded by the grants will target specific populations such as children, parents, potential parents, and professionals in order to combat child abuse and neglect.
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