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Randolph County advances $75,000 to Family Crisis Center amid surge in child and domestic‑violence cases
Summary
Facing a shortfall after federal grant losses, the Family Crisis Center asked the commissioners for an early payment of its usual $75,000 county allocation; the board approved a $75,000 appropriation from fund balance to cover immediate cash‑flow needs.
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved a $75,000 appropriation from the county fund balance to forward‑fund the Family Crisis Center as the nonprofit copes with a sudden spike in demand and a loss of federal grants.
Nikki Jenkins, the Family Crisis Center’s executive director, told commissioners the agency has seen a 78% increase in advocacy and support clients in the first quarter of the year, a 60% increase in emergency sheltering for people fleeing domestic violence, and a 58% increase in abused children served at the organization’s child advocacy center, Emmy’s House. Jenkins said the nonprofit lost roughly $600,000 in federal grant funding during the last year and asked for the $75,000 usually provided in August to be provided early to bridge the fiscal year ending June 30.
District Attorney Andy Gregson described the caseload to underscore need: "I think the last report I ran today it's somewhere around a hundred defendants charged with sex crimes against children," he said, calling the volume "historic." Jenkins and board vice‑chair Andrea Azelton outlined steps taken to reduce costs (consolidating office space and co‑locating adult and child services) and said the organization is pursuing new grants and fundraising to stabilize future years.
Commissioners discussed funding mechanics and were told the appropriation can be made from fund balance to meet immediate cash‑flow needs. A motion to appropriate $75,000 from the county fund balance for the Child Advocacy Center and the Family Crisis Center passed by voice vote.
Board members and speakers urged private donations and city contributions from municipalities served by the nonprofit to help cover matched grant requirements and long‑term shortfalls. The Family Crisis Center announced a public fundraising event ("Clucking for a Cause") to raise additional funds.
The appropriation provides immediate support through June 30; the board did not establish any recurring supplemental county funding during this meeting.
