Children’s center wants $5K from commission
RUSSELLVILLE – Cramer Children’s Center has asked the Franklin County Commission to double its annual donation to the non-profit.
Facing a $96,000 funding deficit as a result of the loss of federal funds, the center is asking all counties in its service area — Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale and Lawrence counties – for additional donations.
The non-profit, headquartered in Florence, operates a satellite facility in Russellville called Andrea’s Arbor.
The center’s business development director, Chelsea Lawson, appeared before the county commission to request the county increase its annual donation from $2,500 to $5,000.
Lawson said the increase would help offset anticipated reductions in funding through the federal Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA, which supports services for crime victims. The program draws from a fund made up of fines, penalties and settlements from federal criminal cases, not tax dollars.
According to Lawson, 59 children living in Franklin County have received services through the center since January.
She said those services include forensic interviews, trauma-focused therapy, medical exams conducted by specially trained nurses, and ongoing advocacy as children and families navigate the legal system.
She said regionally the center has provided 2,683 services to 417 children so far this year. That includes therapy sessions, medical exams, crisis interventions, and support during court proceedings.
Andrea’s Arbor does not provide medical exams onsite, but Lawson said children from Franklin County receive medical services through the center’s main office in Florence.
The facility in Russellville helps meet local needs by offering other services and acting as a referral point for families.
“Some families face transportation challenges,” Lawson said. “We do what we can to meet people where they are.”
That may mean seeing clients at school or coordinating other arrangements. In some cases, Lawson said, children who need services also lack access to necessities like clothing or food.
When Commissioner Tracie Clark asked whether medical exams were covered by insurance, Lawson explained the services are not billed to insurance companies or to families.
Probate Judge Barry Moore confirmed the county’s current $2,500 appropriation has been in place for several years and said the commission would consider the request as it works to finalize the next budget.
County Administrator Leah Mansell said the county typically pays the appropriation in December.
Moore said budget proposals from department heads are due by the end of July with the commission reviewing submissions in August and September. The county must adopt a balanced budget by the end of September.
