Commissioners consider $15,000-a-year request to back Susie's Place child advocacy services

Emily Perry, director of Susie's Place Child Advocacy Centers, told Sullivan County commissioners the nonprofit has served nearly 400 child-victim cases from Sullivan County and is seeking bridge funding from the county while it pursues state-level appropriations.

"It's $15,000 for this year and $15,000 for next year," Perry said, describing the request as temporary support while the organization seeks a $16,000,000 state funding appropriation for child advocacy centers statewide. She said Susie's Place would be one of about 24 centers to receive state funds if the appropriation is approved.

Commissioners acknowledged the center’s role in the community and asked staff to review potential funding sources before a final commitment. One commissioner said the request was “an urgent need” but agreed the board should identify where the money would come from before approving expenditures.

A motion was made to approve the request pending identification of a financing source; the chair asked for a second and called for the vote. The transcript records the motion and second and the chair's call for a vote but does not record a roll-call tally in the minutes provided.

Why it matters: Susie's Place provides 24/7 services and partners with law enforcement, prosecutors and medical and mental-health providers; county backing would help sustain services while state funding is sought. The request is explicitly bridge funding, not a permanent appropriation.

What comes next: Commissioners asked staff to look for a funding source and finish the administrative work before finalizing a county contribution.