State Secures Stable Funding to Children’s Cove
State Senator Julian Cyr led the effort on Beacon Hill
September 29, 2022 (Barnstable, MA) — Barnstable County Commissioners recently authorized the execution of two grant agreements for Children’s Cove totaling $200,000 from the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA) in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). Traditionally, grant funding for many Massachusetts Child Advocacy Centers (CAC), including Children’s Cove, relied on designated state revenue that was unevenly distributed. However, recent state budget language was passed that permanently creates a stable funding formula that will be equitably distributed to all CACs throughout Massachusetts.
The legislative change, spearheaded by State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), and supported by the Cape and Islands State Delegation, directed the consolidation of child advocacy center funding streams into one source that would be jointly administered by MACA, in partnership with DPH. As a result, Children’s Cove will receive a $200,000 grant annually from the State of Massachusetts.
“Children’s Cove has been at the forefront of providing care and services to children and adolescent survivors of sexual abuse for over two decades — yet Children’s Cove and its peer Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) across Massachusetts did not have consistent and stable state funding,” said Cyr. “I am proud to have worked for several years to boost funding for CACs and finally establish equitable resources for all CACs in the FY23 budget. I am thrilled that Children’s Cove will receive $200,000 annually from the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance as a result. Consistent, stable funding is necessary to allow this vital institution to continue their comprehensive, specialized services to victims of abuse for the foreseeable future.”
“Stabilizing this grant revenue is critical to Children’s Cove as it provides funding for staff who provide services to child victims of sexual abuse and assault. This is an amazing accomplishment that took years of hard work and advocacy to achieve,” said Stacy Gallagher, Director of Children’s Cove. “I want to thank the Cape Cod and Islands State Delegation for working closely with Children’s Cove every step of the way to make this goal a reality. Because of this change, we will be able to continue empowering survivors, promoting healthy outcomes, and helping to mitigate the stigma of child abuse.”
This legislative change helps Children’s Cove in its effort to provide hope and healing to child victims of abuse and their families throughout Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket and allows Children’s Cove to reinforce and expand its evidence-based programs, a network of community partnerships, educational outreach, and awareness efforts.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S COVE: Children’s Cove, a department of Barnstable County, has been the Cape and the Island’s Children’s Advocacy Center since 1997. Children’s Cove provides coordinated and comprehensive multidisciplinary services to child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, witness to domestic violence, and child sexual exploitation and trafficking. To learn more visit www.ChildrensCove.org
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD: Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov
