Child advocates get grant funds

TEXARKANA, Texas — Child protection organizations Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center and Court Appointed Special Advocates recently received grant funding for their respective missions.

The two child wellness programs work together underneath Northeast Texas CASA and provide free services to children and families dealing with abuse and neglect.

TCAC received $15,000 from Texas Bar Association in early May to expand its partner relations team, which does work across Bowie, Cass and Morris counties. In Arkansas, the organization serves Miller, Little River, Lafayette, Howard and Hempstead counties.

“Our MDT (multidisciplinary team) are the ones that bring child abuse victims to the center,” said Chief Operations Officer Misty Honea. “When all agencies within the MDT work together and collaborate, the investigations of child abuse are better organized and the outcome is more likely to serve justice during the prosecution.”

According to the TCAC’S website, the organization responds to cases of sexual abuse and/or physical abuse, as well as if a child witnesses or experiences a crime. The center provides forensic services in partnership with law enforcement and child protective services, and it aids families with resources and support to spur healing.

CASA Texarkana received $1,250 from Walmart Neighborhood Market on Richmond Road. The funds will be used to provide training for volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children.

“For our services, there are currently 207 (local) children that do not have a CASA volunteer,” Honea said.

CASA volunteers are judge-appointed to speak up for a child’s interests and are often the consistent thread for a child as they move through the welfare and justice systems.

Honea emphasized the importance of community support to providing services for children in need.

“Community support is crucial to be able to perform the work we do,” Honea said. “We provide education to the community so they’re able to recognize the signs of abuse and know what to do if they feel a child is being abused.”

(Photo courtesy of TCAC) Kaleigh Dotson, second from left, Texarkana Child Advocacy Center’s development specialist, stands with employees of Walmart Neighborhood Market on Richmond Road after receiving a $1,250 check for Court Appointed Special Advocates on Monday in Texarkana, Texas. The funds will be used to train advocates for children who have dealt with abuse.