Scurry County proclaims April Child Abuse Awareness Month; discusses $30,000 support request for local advocacy center

Scurry County Commissioners on Monday proclaimed April as Child Abuse Awareness Month and heard a funding request from the Children's Advocacy Center for continued local support of its Snyder office.

Samantha Reyes Medina, who identified herself as with the Children's Advocacy Center, told the court that the CAC serves five counties and that Scurry County is its busiest service area. “We’re seeing 20 to 25 kids per month, from Scurry County,” Reyes Medina said, and described a multidisciplinary response involving law enforcement, the district attorney, Child Protective Services (DFPS) and health providers.

The CAC moved to a new, more private office at 1913 Seventh Street about 18 months ago, Reyes Medina said, and the center now operates with three staff in the region. She asked the court to consider financial support so the Snyder site would remain open and local cases would not be forced to travel to other counties for services.

County officials said they are discussing a funding plan that could total about $30,000 split between the city and county. A county staff member said the proposed county portion could be funded from an internal line under code 04/2009 by creating a separate line for CAC funding in a future budget. Commissioners did not vote to commit those funds at the meeting; they directed staff and city partners to pursue the funding conversation.

The court approved the proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Awareness Month. Commissioners thanked the CAC staff and local law enforcement and prosecutors for their work and asked agency partners to return with specifics on how a county contribution would be used and on long‑term funding options.

Next steps: county staff will consult with city officials on the proposed $30,000 split and return with budget language and a recommended appropriation line for the 04/2009 account if appropriate.