State grant will help fund child advocacy center

District 12 state Sen. Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth and Mercer) and state Assemblyman Mike Panter (D-Monmouth and Mercer) have announced the approval of a $500,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) to aid in the construction of the Mon-mouth County Child Advocacy Center in Freehold Township.

According to a press release, the $500,000 grant will supplement a stream of donations raised by the Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center toward the $4.5 million total cost for the facility.

The center will be built on land donated by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, according to Karcher, who is the vice chair of the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

"The Monmouth County Child Advo-cacy Center is integral to ensuring the welfare of children in our home county, serving as a safe house for those who have been abused and neglected," said Karcher.

"I am happy to be able to assist such a worthy program and will continue to do all I can to support those kids who need us the most in my legislative district, and throughout the state," the senator said.

The facility, a public-private partnership, is designed to minimize trauma to child abuse and youth assault victims, as well as their families, all under one roof.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit responds to 500 cases of abuse and neglect each year, the third most by county in the state, according to the press release.

Panter, who was on hand for the groundbreaking of the site on Kozloski Road in Freehold Township in 2003, said the 16,600-square-foot facility is an unfortunate necessity for Monmouth County.

"Each year, every town in Monmouth County has a reported case of child abuse," said Panter. "I am grateful to the state for listening to the calls of support for this valid and useful investment into the well-being of the children of Monmouth County."

A group of professionals from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, local law enforcement, DYFS, the mental health field, medical community and victim advocacy will make up a multidisciplinary team.

The team will respond to this one site for coordinated investigation, assessment and victim services, according to the press release.