A northwest Alabama organization that helps child abuse victims in six counties – one of them Franklin – will continue providing services with the help of a $1 million grant awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey.

The grant will enable Cramer Children’s Center in Florence to provide free assistance to victims and their families in Franklin as well as Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties while also helping to prosecute offenders.

“Child abuse victims and their families face painful obstacles because of the reality of their circumstances,” Ivey said. “I commend the staff and volunteers at Cramer Children’s Center for providing care for these victims and assisting with needed services.”

Established in 1992, the center responds with the first report of abuse and remains with families throughout the healing process and the entire criminal justice process to assist in criminal cases. Staff members work to ensure victims and family members who are forced to escape abusive situations have adequate housing, food and clothing.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“ADECA joins Gov. Ivey to support free, professional assistance for young victims and their families as they take the first steps toward recovery,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA’s partnerships with organizations like Cramer Children’s Center ensure victims are not alone in their struggle to overcome these adversities.”

ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.

Gov. Ivey informed Dianne Pace, Cramer Children’s Center board president, the grant had been approved. Local matching funds of $98,804 will supplement the grant.