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Finance committee approves do‑pass on $121,138 appropriation to Children’s Safety Center as agency warns of federal grant losses
Summary
The committee voted to send to the full court an ordinance appropriating $121,138 from unappropriated reserves to the Children’s Safety Center after the center’s executive director warned it will lose roughly $435,000 in federal grant support beginning in 2026.
The Washington County Finance & Budget Committee voted Nov. 12 to forward an ordinance to the full quorum court that would appropriate $121,138 from unappropriated reserves to the Children’s Safety Center of Washington County.
Executive Director Miss Shackleford told the committee the center — a child advocacy center providing forensic interviews, on‑site medicals and therapy free to families — has served hundreds of local children and is facing a reduction in federal grant funding beginning in 2026. “We are losing funding…we'll start 2026 with 435,000 less funds,” she said, and requested county support to sustain services and avoid service reductions.
Committee members offered supportive remarks; several JPs noted the center’s importance to law enforcement and prosecutors. The committee voted to send the appropriation to the full court with a do‑pass recommendation.
What’s next: The ordinance was advanced to the full quorum court for final action; county staff and the center will continue discussions about longer‑term funding strategies and reporting expectations.
