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Multnomah County Children’s
Receiving Center
Receives Funds Secured by Wyden, Smith
Senators secured $250,000 appropriation
for care of children in need
August
6, 2004
Washington, DC – Starting
today, the Multnomah County Children’s Receiving Center
can begin drawing funds from a $250,000 appropriation secured
by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.)
in the Fiscal Year 2004 omnibus funding measure. The Receiving
Center provides professional care and support to children up to
18 years of age who have been removed from their homes due to
abuse or neglect. These children are cared for in a home-like
setting until they can transition to foster or alternate family
placement.
“The Receiving Center provides a safe haven for abused and
neglected children by giving them support and a sense of security,”
said Wyden. “Getting these funds on the ground will help
the center continue its critical mission of protecting kids from
dangerous situations and helping them cope with what they have
already suffered.”
“These kids have already been through more than most of
us can ever imagine,” said Smith. “It’s important
that they have some semblance of normalcy as they go through an
often terrifying process.”
The Multnomah County Children's Receiving Center has been in operation
since January 2002. While at the Children's Receiving Center,
children can be interviewed by the police and receive medical
attention and evaluation in a non-threatening environment, minimizing
additional trauma to children who have already been subject to
mental and physical abuse.
The Receiving Center is supported by the Portland Police, Gresham
Police, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Multnomah County District
Attorney, Oregon Children’s Protective Services, Christie
School, CARES NW, Morrison Center Family and Child Services, Multnomah
County Health Department, Multnomah County Family and Children’s
Services Dept., Gateway Area Business Association, Hazelwood Neighborhood
Association, Portland City Council, and Multnomah County Board
of Commissioners.
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