Congressman Salazar fights to fund child abuse prevention and treatment in Garfield, Pitkin and Rio Blanco Counties

$300,000 will assist Childhelp in providing increased services to abused children

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Salazar announced today that the House of Representatives has voted in favor of a $300,000 federal funding appropriation for child abuse prevention and treatment in Garfield, Pitkin and Rio Blanco Counties. The funding was requested by Congressman Salazar and was included in the 2010 Appropriations Bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and Science. The bill has passed the House and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Specifically, the funding is designated for the Childhelp River Bridge Children’s Center in Glenwood Springs. The center provides forensic interviews and medical examinations, crisis intervention, safe placement, individual and group counseling, victim’s compensation information, and court case preparation for abused children.  If approved, the $300,000 in federal funding will assist Childhelp in providing these important services to more children in Colorado who have suffered abuse.  The Childhelp River Bridge Children’s Center will increase the number of overall children and families served by expanding outreach to law enforcement in outlying counties, expanding mental health services, and expanding satellite program services.

On the funding for the Childhelp River Bridge Children’s Center, Congressman Salazar offered the following statement:

“There is nothing more serious or important than the health, safety and welfare of our children. With this funding, the Childhelp River Bridge Children’s Center will be able to continue to provide its crucial services while expanding the number of families it will be able to serve in the future. I appreciate the support that the people of Garfield County and its neighboring communities have given this program over the years and I hope this funding will help Childhelp expand its difficult but blessed mission.”