Ohio Child Advocacy Centres Face Funding Threat After Vinton County Case
Children’s advocacy services across Ohio could face funding challenges as federal support for programmes assisting children and families affected by abuse comes under pressure.
Danielle McCament, chief executive officer of the Ohio Network of Children’s Advocacy Centres, raised the concern following the June discovery of 16 children allegedly living in deplorable conditions at a home in Vinton County. Two children were airlifted to higher-level trauma centres, while seven others required hospitalisation. The children’s parents and grandparents are facing child-endangerment charges.
McCament said the case highlights the importance of Children’s Advocacy Centres, which provide medical care, counselling, forensic interviews and advocacy services to children and families affected by abuse.
Ohio has 36 Children’s Advocacy Centres, which collectively provided services to nearly 12,000 children and their families last year. The centres also work with law enforcement and prosecutors to coordinate investigations and support legal proceedings.
According to McCament, the centres referred about 2,300 cases for prosecution last year, resulting in more than 250 convictions and approximately 400 pleas.
Much of the centres’ funding comes from the federal Crime Victims Fund, whose available resources have declined significantly. McCament is urging the US Senate to pass the bipartisan Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, which she said could strengthen funding without creating new costs for taxpayers.
She warned that without a more reliable funding source, advocacy centres could be forced to reduce services available to children and families affected by abuse.
Source of Image: Danielle McCament Linkedin
