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Child Advocacy Center reports 117 forensic interviews since October; asks county to sustain support
Summary
The Covington Child Advocacy Center told county commissioners it completed 117 forensic interviews since October and provides roughly 600 counseling sessions per year; the center seeks continued grant and local support to maintain medical exams and counseling services.
Lesa Rathel, representing the Covington Child Advocacy Center, briefed the commission on the center’s caseload and funding needs during the appropriation comment period.
"Since October we have completed 117 forensic interviews," Rathel said, and she added the center provides about 600 counseling sessions annually and has arranged 15 pediatric medical exams this year. Rathel told the commission that those medical exams previously forced families to travel to Birmingham before local services were available.
She identified primary funding sources as federal VOCA grants and state funds through the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, and said the center supplements grant funds with local fundraising. Rathel asked the commission to consider continuing county support when commissioners set FY2027 appropriations.
Commissioners did not vote on a specific county appropriation during the meeting; the item was presented as part of the scheduled appropriation comment period.
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