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Child advocacy center raises $144,000 at gala; reports roughly 75 child maltreatment referrals in September
Summary
Cooper Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center reported an increase in demand and fundraising success; director Tracy Childress said the center handled about 75 referrals in September and hired full-time development staff years ago to diversify funding amid federal grant cuts.
The Cooper Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center told the Hot Springs City Board of Directors on Oct. 21 that the center handled roughly 75 referrals in September and that its recent annual fundraising gala raised $144,000 — the center's most successful to date.
Director Tracy Childress said the center's black-tie fundraiser on Sept. 25 drew about 190 attendees and that the proceeds are important because federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding has been reduced. "Our VOCA grant has been cut; it was exponentially important this year, so our community rose to the challenge," Childress said.
Childress walked the board through operational statistics the center uses to explain local need. She said the center, which opened in February 2003 and is one of 18 child advocacy centers in Arkansas, received about 75 referrals in September. Of those referrals, 31 were reported by child-protection services, 23 by the Division of Children and Family Services and 21 by law enforcement. Childress said 21 of the children referred required specialized medical exams provided by SANE-certified nurses; Garland County is served by two of the state's SANE-A/SANE-P clinicians who work at the center.
Childress emphasized the center's multi-county service area and 24/7 availability. "We serve multiple counties," she said, noting the center's goal that a child should not travel more than an hour to receive services. She invited directors to a partnerships drop-in reception on Nov. 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to see the center's operations and meet staff.
The presentation included a personal testimony from Heather Webb, who described receiving services after her family experienced an abuse-related crisis and said the center provided trauma care and material support during that period.
Board members thanked the center for the report and noted the ongoing importance of community fundraising to offset federal grant reductions. No formal board action was requested or taken on the item.
