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Children's Advocacy Center reports expanded services, new space and funding shortfall at council workshop
Summary
A representative of the Children's Advocacy Center updated council on expanded education outreach to schools, a recent move to a larger building after flood-related acceleration, and federal Victims of Crime Act funding cuts totaling $14,000 this year.
Eric Nelson, education and outreach coordinator for the Children’s Advocacy Center, told the Lampasas City Council at the July 2025 workshop that the center has expanded its education outreach and moved into a larger building next door to its original facility, which will allow the center to double service capacity.
Why it matters: Nelson said the center reached about 1,700 more people in the previous year and for the first time in several years was able to deliver prevention education at the middle-school level in Lampasas, covering topics including healthy relationships, sexting, cyberbullying and grooming. The center serves multiple counties and said it added a third therapist to meet demand.
Nelson said the center’s therapy offices sustained damage in last week’s floods, which accelerated the move to the new building; the original building will be renovated to house therapy offices. He described funding pressures: federal and state budget cuts reduced the center’s Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding by $14,000 this year, following a $7,000 reduction last year, and operational costs have risen.
Discussion, direction and next steps: Nelson thanked Lampasas County and city officials for continued support and asked for ongoing community backing while the center adjusts operations and fundraising to cover increased costs. Council members asked questions about staffing and service area; Nelson said the center now employs about 13 people and serves five counties (as stated in the presentation).
Ending: The council received the update during the workshop. Nelson thanked the council for the chance to brief them and emphasized the center’s ongoing prevention and therapy work.
