For More Information:
William R. Steinhaus
Dutchess County Executive
Telephone: (845) 486-2000, FAX:
(845) 486-2021,
countyexec@co.dutchess.ny.us
September 10, 2002
Poughkeepsie…
County Executive William R. Steinhaus has approved a contract for the
2002 Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) awards with the Child Abuse Prevention Center, Inc., for
$25,000 to support their Child Advocacy Center. Funding for this program
is directed through the Dutchess County Department of
Planning and Development.
According to County Executive
Steinhaus, ”The unfortunate fact is that cases of sexual abuse against children
do take place. We need to do everything we can in Dutchess County to protect our
children. Though the support of programs offered by the Child Advocacy Center,
we can help make sure that these cases are identified and investigated, and that
the victims and their families are given the support they need to recover and
ensure that future crimes are prevented.”
The Child Advocacy Center
is a community collaboration dedicated to investigating child sexual abuse, and
investigates cases involving more than 300 Dutchess County children each year.
The purpose is to provide a child-friendly setting that involves working with
parents and children to help them understand and accept what is happening to the
family unit involved in child sexual abuse allegations and to provide the
support necessary to make the experience as minimally traumatic as possible.
Using sensitive, state-of-the-art interview and exam techniques and a
multi-disciplinary team approach that provides Child Protective Services, law
enforcement, mental health and medical services all in one safe, child-friendly
location, trauma to children is greatly reduced.
This award was based on
priorities previously established in the County’s Consolidated Plan for the use
of CDBG funds. The plan has been accepted and approved by the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDBG funding provides grant funds to
municipalities and human service agencies to benefit low to moderate-income
residents of Dutchess County.
For more information about the Child Advocacy Center, call Catherine Hexel at the Child Abuse Prevention Center, Inc. at (845) 454-0595.
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