Department of Justice awards $150K to child abuse centers in Montana

MISSOULA — Four Children's Advocacy Centers in Montana are receiving nearly $150,000 in grant funds to support child survivors of crime and abuse, money that will go toward technology upgrades, facility improvements and professional training. 

According to Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen in a press release, the grant money came from a Johnson & Johnson settlement over allegations the company made, marketed and knowingly sold baby powder tainted with carcinogenic asbestos.

In Hamilton, Emma’s House Child Advocacy Center received $37,874.69. The state said accredited centers could apply for as much as $50,000 a year for equipment, technology, building needs and training.

Attorney General Austin Knudsen said the funding is meant to help centers keep serving families during difficult moments.

“Montana’s child advocacy centers provide a supportive and safe environment for children during difficult times. That is why it is important that they have the funding they need to continue providing these critical services when Montanans need them the most,” Attorney General Knudsen said.

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Val Widmer, executive director of Emma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center, said the Hamilton visit showed support for the local program’s work in the Bitterroot and around Montana.

“We are deeply grateful to Attorney General Knudsen for visiting Emma’s House and seeing firsthand how the Children’s Advocacy Center model serves children in the Bitterroot and across Montana. He understands what a CAC means for a case — stronger investigations and stronger prosecutions. More importantly, his thoughtful questions made clear he understands what it means for a child: reduced trauma, ongoing counseling, and a path toward healing,” Widmer said.

The other centers that received funding were Fort Peck Tribes Red Bird Woman Center CAC with $25,243.20, Lewis and Clark County CAC of AWARE, Inc. with $49,688.50 and First Step – Providence St. Patrick Hospital with $29,700.80.

Children’s Advocacy Centers give abused children and non-offending family members one place to meet with the multidisciplinary team handling the case. That approach can reduce repeated interviews and lower the risk of added trauma while supporting investigations and prosecutions, Knudsen said.